[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 106 (Friday, July 31, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S9618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ELIMINATING THE BACKLOG OF VETERANS REQUESTS FOR MILITARY MEDALS

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, I would like to take some time to 
address an unfilfilled obligation we have to our nation's veterans. The 
problem is a substantial backlog of requests by veterans for 
replacement military medals.
  I first became aware of this issue a few years ago after dozens of 
Iowa veteans began contacting my State offices requesting assistance in 
obtaining medals and other military decorations they earned while 
serving the country. These veterans had tried in vain--usually for 
months, sometimes for years--to navigate the vast Pentagon bureaucracy 
to receive their military decorations. The wait for medals routinely 
exceeded more than a year, even after interventin by my staff. I 
believe this is unacceptable. Our nation must continue its commitment 
to recognize the sacrifices made by our veterans in a timely manner. 
Addressing this simple concern will fulfill an important and solemn 
promise to those who served to preserve democracy both here and abroad.
  Let me briefly share the story of Mr. Dale Homes, a Korean Way 
veteran. Mr. Holmes fired a mortar on the front lines of the Korean 
War. Stacy Groff, the daughter of Mr. Holmes, tried unsuccessfully for 
three years through the normal Department of Defense channels to get 
the medals her father deserved. Ms. Groff turned to me after her letter 
writing produced no results. My office began an inquiry in January of 
1997 and we were not able to resolve the issue favorably until 
September 1997.
  Ms. Groff made a statement about the delays her father experienced 
that sum up my sentiments perfectly: ``I don't think it's fair . . . My 
dad deserves--everybody deserves--better treatment than that.'' Ms. 
Groff could not be more correct. Our veterans deserve better than that 
from the country they served so courageously.
  Another example that came through my district offices is Mr. James 
Lunde, a Vietnam-era veteran. His brother in law contacted my Des 
Moines office in January of this year for help in obtaining a Purple 
Heart and other medals Mr. Lunde earned. These medals have been held up 
since 1975. Unfortunately, there is still no determination as to when 
Mr. Lunde's medals will be sent.
  The numbers are disheartening and can sound almost unbelievable. For 
example, a small Army Reserve staff at the St. Louis Office faces a 
backlog of tens of thousands of requests for medals. So why the lengthy 
delays? Why, at one personnel center, is there a backlog of 40,000 
requests?
  The primary reason DOD officials cite for these unconscionable delays 
is personnel and other resource shortages resulting from budget cuts 
and hiring freezes. For example, the Navy Liaison Office has gone from 
5 or more personnel to 3 within the last 3 years. Prior to this, the 
turnaround time was 4-5 months. Budget shortages have delayed the 
agencies ability to replace employees who have left, and in cases where 
they can be replaced, the ``learning curve'' in training new employees 
leads to further delays.
  Yesterday, during the debate over the Defense Appropriations bill, I 
offered an amendment to eliminate the backlog of unfulfilled military 
medal requests. The amendment was accepted by unanimous consent.
  My amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to allocate resources 
necessary to eliminate the backlog of requests for military medals. 
Specifically, the Secretary of Defense shall make available to the Army 
Reserve Personnel Command, the Bureau of Naval Personnel, the Air Force 
Personnel Center, the National Archives and Records Administration, and 
any other relevant office or command, the resources necessary to solve 
the problem. These resources could be in the form of increased 
personnel, equipment or whatever these offices need for this problem. 
In addition, this reallocation of resources is only to be made in a way 
that ``does not detract from the performance of other personnel service 
and personnel support activities within the DOD.''
  Our veterans are not asking for much. Their brave actions in time of 
war deserve our highest respect, recognition, and admiration. My 
amendment will help expedite the recognition they so richly deserve. 
Our veterans deserve nothing less.

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