(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congressman Dennis Moore (Third District-KS) announced today a bill will soon become law to establish the Cold War Victory Medal to honor military personnel who served between September 2, 1945, and December 26, 1991.

“I have always been a strong supporter of giving our veterans the recognition they deserve for the sacrifices that made the downfall of Communism a reality,” Moore said. “The Cold War Victory Medal is well deserved and long overdue.”

Authorization for the Cold War Victory Medal is included in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006, which is expected to be signed into law later this month.

“With the growing recognition that the Cold War was an epic struggle -- pitting the forces of freedom and democracy against those of brutality and tyranny -- comes a movement to recognize the millions of brave men and women who fought this war on our nation's behalf by bestowing upon them a Cold War Victory Medal,” said Vince Milum, Chairman of the Cold War Veterans Association (CWVA). “At the forefront of this movement have been the Kansas-based CWVA and Congressman Dennis Moore.”

The Cold War was a long struggle, less dramatic than traditional wars, which ended with battles for cities, dropping of bombs, and formal surrenders. The Cold War ended over a period of several years, but as both President George W. Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said, “It was a war, and we won.”

“The resolute opposition to the Communist Empire took many forms, and cost many lives of American soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines,” Moore said. “I salute the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who served in the Cold War, and especially those who paid the ultimate price. The victory of the western allies was also a victory for the oppressed peoples of the Soviet bloc, and liberation for the Russian people, who are now friends and allies of the United States.”

Moore is a member of the Cold War Veterans Association. His past support of the Cold War Victory Medal has included writing letters to President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld to create the medal by executive order and cosponsoring a bill in Congress to authorize the medal.