Will President Obama fulfill his pledge and campaign promise?
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A letter from Barak Obama to a Cold War Veteran!
ACWV member FRANK ALMQUIST (Illinois resident) letter from President Elect Obama on the creation of the Cold War Victory Medal.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 11:14 AM
Dear Frank:
Please accept my sincere apology for the delay in my response to your e-mail in support of the Cold War Victory Medal. I am still working on the challenge of responding efficiently to as many as 2,000 letters, e-mails and calls a day from my Illinois constituents.
I agree that the Cold War Victory medal would be an appropriate honor. The Cold War was a period that required both skilled diplomacy and military readiness. For veterans such as yourself, who had to be prepared to fight a war that most people agreed would be catastrophic, there certainly should be some recognition of service and willingness to defend and go to battle for the United States.
In each of the past two years, the Cold War Victory Medal has passed the House as part of its version of the annual defense authorization bill but has been stymied by influential members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. In both cases, members of the Senate Armed Services Committee chose not to include the Cold War Victory Medal provision in their version of the bill, and House negotiators have conceded to them during conference committee negotiations as well. I certainly share your hope that this impasse can be broken soon.
Again, I apologize for the inordinate delay in my response. I hope it will not deter you from staying in touch.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator
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A letter from Obama for America answering my questions:
Tuesday, January 8, 2008 6:16 AM
Thank you, Scott for your activism and your heroic work on behalf of your fellow Cold War veterans. We can never forget the heroic work that our military did during that dangerous time in our history or let the memory of the real threats America faced from the Soviet Union fade.
1. Barack Obama believes the men and women who served the country during one of the most treacherous periods in American history deserve recognition. As president, he would sign legislation creating a cold war medal.
2. Obama believes we should recognize the brave people who died in the intelligence services during the Cold War.
3. Obama supports a day of remembrance for the intelligence community heroes of Cold War.
4. Obama believes we must reverse the ban on Priority 8 enrollment, a policy that has led the VA to turn away a million veterans who needed care.
5. Please see the fact sheet at this link to see how Obama plans to keep America 's sacred trust with its veterans: http://my.barackobama.com/page/-/Press/Fact%20Sheet%20VFW%20Speech%20Final.pdf.pdf
6. It is America 's duty to seek a full accounting of its Missing in Action from all conflicts, including the Cold War. Obama will work to declassify as much information as possible as president.
Best,
Obama for NH
Michael Negron
Obama for America
New Hampshire--New Media Blogger
Office phone: (603) 668-2008
Office fax: (603) 668-2009
http://nh.barackobama.com/
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Governor Sarah Palin endorses Cold War Medal:
During her recent appearance in New Hampshire on October 15, Governor Sarah Palin was asked whether she would support a Cold War Service Medal, she replied “I support it 100%!”
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ABOUT ME:
A Cold War Veteran.
Party Affiliation: None, I am an Independant.
WHAT I DO
I am a National Officer and "Founding Member" with a not-for-profit, non-partisan veterans organization called:
CALL TO DUTY
We all answered the call. Drafted or enlisted, when it was popular and when it wasn't. America needed it's guardians of freedom and we were there. Our members served around the globe for 46 years ensuring freedom would not disappear at the hands of totalitarian communist regimes. We did it at places most of the world never heard of and at locations that made routine headlines. We did it in the air, on land and at sea. We served with our active duty forces, our reserve forces and with the National Guard. We served with conviction and honor. We served with pride. We are the The
"AMERICAN COLD WAR VETERANS".
WHO WE ARE
Born of a desire to further the cause of those who have gone unrecognized for their service and sacrifice, the The
"American Cold War Veterans" are taking the lead in securing that long lost recognition. Many of our members participated and continue to participate with other Veteran Service Organizations to help all Veterans but felt there was a void and lack of progress in guaranteeing that Cold War Veterans were among those receiving that help. To that end, we came together and pledged our time and resources to make Cold War Veteran recognition a priority. Where others have tried and failed to make progress for the Cold War Veteran, we dedicate ourselves to that cause.
FOUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
These pillars, our foundation, are to focus on these four items.
First, we will continue to push for May 1st to be a day of recognition in all fifty states and eventually, a "National Day of Remembrance".
Second, for the unsung men and women who did their duty, a The
"Cold War Victory Medal" to show the world our commitment to world peace was worth their sacrifices.
Third, a
"National Memorial" to honor the sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price to preserve our freedom during the Cold War.
Lastly, to keep the memories and lessons of the Cold War in the minds of the people and eventually, to "Educate" our youth as to the cost and sacrifices made to keep the world safe.
THE MISSION
Our Mission is to bring respect, recognition and awareness to Veterans of the Cold War era no matter what branch of service, whether active duty, reserve or National Guard. We are committed to honoring the sacrifices made by millions of American men and women during the Cold War, especially those who paid the ultimate price of life or liberty. We intend to see that the Cold War's history is completely and accurately understood by people everywhere. We are united in these goals and speak with one voice.
PS. Do not construe from my list of friends and images that I or my organization, supports or endorses any certain candidate or political position.
Who I'd like to meet: People who understand and respect the sacrifices made my those who have served. People who feel fortunate and want to give back, do good, and put their power and influence to good use to better this world.
