The Story About Cold War Veterans Needs To Be Told

[Robersabel]

Hello veterans,

Allow me to share a letter sent to a reporter...

Dear Mr. Ruelas,

Reference your article, “Tillman’s legacy shrouds his beliefs.” published in The Arizona Republic, dated October 3, 2005.

Several people were identified that began or supported the recognition for Mr. Tillman by renaming a VFW Post, and American Legion Post 117. “Vincent Rigo, a Vietnam vet who was behind the name change at the Avondale VFW post.”

Please allow me to make it clear, as a Vietnam veteran with over 22 years in the military I support, and commend Rigo, and Commander Hennessy in their accomplishments. For recognition of a warrior that gave his life while contributing to the mission of protecting me, my family, and the citizens of this country.

In order for the Purple Heart be awarded to the majority of fatalities, and an unknown number of wounded Cold War veterans caused from hostile acts, I am attempting to change the current system. I had no doubt that I would obtain support through a Resolution during The American Legion National Convention at Nashville, Tennessee August 2004. The following article was published in The Air Force Times:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...rceTimes02.jpg

I also attempted to gain support through the VFW. The following is a portion of a letter received from Commander Moore describing what occurred at the State Convention at Tucson, Arizona June, 2005:

Robert,

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to answer your e-mail. I had to research this first. Your resolution was presented to the members at the State Convention. However, the committee reviewing the resolution recommended that it be rejected. No one at the convention spoke up in favor of the resolution, so it was rejected by the floor.

Darrel Moore
Commander Department of Arizona

Perhaps you may contact Rigo, and/or Hennessy to learn the process that accomplished so much. If you are interested in my quest for the majority of the 382 KIA, and an unknown number of wounded from hostile acts, please advise.

Regards,
Robert E. Johnson
MSG, USAF, Retired
Surprise, Arizona
623-546-3410

Please note: Tillman was a football player for Arizona State. He chose to join the military over millions of dollars offered to play with the Arizona Cardinals. He was killed by "friendly fire" during his tour in Afghanistan.

[Bertf]

There is an old saying, "Friendly fire ain't." It is very true.

The Purple Heart for Cold War vets. Well, I can see it in special cases. A few years back in Korea when some Americans tried to cut down a tree in the DMZ I recall at least one was attacked and killed by North Korean soldiers. I think in a case like that we can justify the Purple Heart. It would have to be on a case by case basis with very high standards.

[Yoge Mountain]

Originally Posted by Bertf

There is an old saying, "Friendly fire ain't." It is very true.

The Purple Heart for Cold War vets. Well, I can see it in special cases. A few years back in Korea when some Americans tried to cut down a tree in the DMZ I recall at least one was attacked and killed by North Korean soldiers. I think in a case like that we can justify the Purple Heart. It would have to be on a case by case basis with very high standards.

Bert: You're right, there was more than one killed... And they were found shot and hacked up by machetes.

Cold War Vets are like the "step -soldiers" to the Vietnam Vets who had to fight for every health benefit they got from the VA including the recognition that Agent Orange was bad for their health- which battle is not over yet.

As the step-soldiers, Cold War Vets got old equipment and 1950's left over k rations when we served, and nothing-nada when we came home. We all looked the same and we got the same treatment at the airports as Vietnam Vets when we landed back in the world from Korea.

Many GI's were killed while serving in S. Korea post- 1954 and not just on the DMZ either. Many got jungle rot and had diseases with no names when they got home. Many are affected still today by Agent Orange, which the Army says wasn't used in korea- only in Vietnam. Oh yeah, the Army eventually had to admit to using AO along the Korea DMZ after thousands of ROK Army soldiers started dying and the Korean Govt. forced Uncle Sam's hand to admit that the Orange stuff the ROK soldiers were spraying along the DMZ iand elsewhere in '67-'70 was in fact Agent Orange. Of course they won't admit to using AO anywhere else in Korea, or afford Korea Cold War Vets the same "presumption of cause" as is the case for Vietnam Vets for AO related illnesses and cancer. Even after having drank the polluted water pulled from the Namhan and Kum rivers flowing South, and trucked into our remote camps. Nor will they ever openly admit that the herbicide spraying that we all saw done for vegetation control in our camp was really agent Orange or Agent Blue. Even though the First Sgt. told us to stay inside while the spraying was being done.

Korea Cold War Vets - the step soldiers- don't have the numbers or the support by the American public or even of their fellow Vets to be heard. Sooner or later they'll just all die and quietly go away. Oh, and no Purple hearts for the hundreds (yes hundreds) of Cold War dead step-soldiers. Didn't you hear, the Korean war ended in 1954. The Cold War wasn't a "declared war." And we never did go to war with Russia did we? Sorry Navy guys and Marines. I know a lot of your buddies were KIA on the subs. And some AF guys were shot down flying "Cold War" missions. But you'll have to speak up for yourselves. If you think you'll be heard or if anyone even cares.

Anyone ever hear the name Art Fontenot? No? Well, Art was found with his throat cut in our ville in Korea in '71, and the clay and brick and thatched grass hootch he was sleeping in was torched with him in it. I hope he was already dead. But no purple heart was ever presented to Art's mom, or even a mention of Art on the Korea dead step- soldier roles. Like all incidents in Korea, even the NK gunboats landing at the SK shores or the MIGs flying into our radar scopes, "..it" never happened. "..it" becomes a police matter when the bodies are found. I'm not knocking anyone here, but the K-9's from Vietnam even have their names on a Vietnam K-9 rembrance role. But not Art Fontenot. He was a NFG "Cold War step-soldier," in country for two- weeks.

I have to commend anyone who has the ba..s to stand up before the VFW or Legion and say- what about the Cold War Vets?

Rick (Yoge)
USA 1968-1972
Nike Hercules
Life Member- VVnW and The Veterans Coalition
Life Member- VFW