Who We Are
We
all answered the call -- drafted or volunteered, when it was popular
and when it was not -- 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 AMERICAN COLD WAR VETERANS.
COLD WAR is a term that invites stereotypes, and yet involved many
shades of warfare – conventional and unconventional, open and in the
shadows. We served in all kinds of roles, from the mundane
headquarters jobs to the front lines, in the bunkers of NORAD and over
Soviet airspace, tracking Soviet submarines and detecting enemy radar
and signals along the coast of North Korea and the USSR, deployed to
Nike Hercules nuclear missile units that defended such familiar places
as New Jersey to forward locations along the Iron Curtain and Korean
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and in places of which many had never heard.
Sometimes, the Cold War turned very hot, and we accepted that risk.
Now we, our families, and our friends are determined to see that the
service and sacrifice of the Cold War is understood, remembered, and
recognized. For those whose service has gone unrecognized 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.
We now stand on 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 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 free
world safe and extend the cause of liberty.
Our history and our future began on August 18, 2007. In Independence
Missouri at the Truman Presidential Library, a group of Cold War
Veterans, with a vision and a determination met for the first time.
There they forged a plan. There, they took their first steps together
on a journey of their own choosing. With Dr. Frank Tims being named the
first Chairman of the newly formed American Cold War Veterans, the die
was cast and an organization was born. Yes, the journey has just begun
but together with the support of our members, we will achieve those
four guiding principles. We hope that you will join us and together we will make history.
UPDATE:
On August 1, 2008, Sean Eagan, Jamestown, NY, was elected Chairman of
ACWV, and now holds that office. Jerry Terwilliger of Maine is
Vice-Chairman.
Founding: American Cold War Veterans meet at the Truman Library August 18, 2007
On Saturday August 18th the founding meeting was held in
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - Cold War veterans from throughout the country
attended a meeting creating a new veterans service organization. "The
time has come for those who served during the Cold War, America's
longest war; to finally be recognized for their service" said Frank
Tims, Ph.D. "It is time to tell the truth about the Cold War, and to
recognize its forgotten heroes." Thanks to all who attended!
Google Link to American Cold War Veterans