[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 164 (Thursday, November 5, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S11217]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself, Mr. Webb, Mrs. Lincoln, and Ms. 
        Landrieu):
  S. 2743. A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to provide for 
the award of a military service medal to members of the Armed Forces 
who served honorably during the Cold War, and for other purposes; to 
the Committee on Armed Services.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleagues Senator 
Webb, Senator Lincoln, and Senator Landrieu to introduce the Cold War 
Medal Act of 2009. This legislation would provide the authority for the 
secretaries of the military departments to award Cold War Service 
Medals to the courageous American patriots who for nearly half-a-
century defended the Nation, and indeed, freedom-loving peoples 
throughout the world, against the advance of communist ideology.
  From the end of World War II to dissolution of the Soviet Union in 
1991, the Cold War veterans were in the vanguard of this Nation's 
defenses. They manned the missile silos, ships, and aircraft, on ready 
alert status or on far off patrols, or demonstrated their resolve in 
hundreds of exercises and operations worldwide. The commitment, 
motivation, and fortitude of the Cold War Veterans was second to none.
  Astonishingly, no medal exists to recognize the dedication of our 
patriots who so nobly stood watch in the cause of promoting world 
peace. Although there have been instances where medals or ribbons, such 
as the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, 
and Vietnam Service Medal, have been issued, the vast majority of Cold 
War Veterans did not receive any medal to pay tribute to their 
dedication and patriotism during this extraordinary period in American 
history. It is only fitting that these brave servicemembers who served 
honorably during this era receive the recognition for their efforts in 
the form of the Cold War Service Medal.
  Specifically, the Cold War Service Medal Act of 2009 would allow the 
Defense Department to issue a Cold War Service Medal to any honorably 
discharged veteran who served on active duty for not less than two 
years or was deployed for thirty days or more during the period from 
September 2, 1945, to December 26, 1991. In the case of those veterans 
who are now deceased, the medal could be issued to their family or 
representative, as determined by the Defense Department. The bill would 
also express the sense of Congress that the secretary of Defense should 
expedite the design of the medal and expedite the establishment and 
implementation mechanisms to facilitate the issuance of the Cold War 
Service Medal.
  The award of the Cold War Service Medal is supported by the American 
Cold War Veterans, the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, 
and many other veterans' services organizations.
  With November 9, 2009, the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin 
Wall which marked the beginning of the end of the Cold War, quickly 
approaching, Senator Webb, Senator Lincoln, Senator Landrieu, and I 
invite our colleagues to cosponsor this significant legislation to 
honor our Cold War Veterans.

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