Senator LaValle Announces Special Recognition For Cold War Veterans

New State Certificate Honors New York Cold War Military for Their Service

Senator LaValle announced that there is a new state certificate for New Yorkers who served in the military during the Cold War. The New York State Cold War Certificate honors New Yorkers who served in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force or Coast Guard along with their reserve components, as well as the Army/Air National Guard during the 46-year standoff between the United States and North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies and the Soviet Union and its Communist allies.

Senator LaValle said, “All of our military veterans, regardless of when their time of service was, deserve our heartfelt appreciation.  Cold War Veterans have waited many years to be recognized.  I applaud them and am glad that the State will now recognize their contributions.”

The New York State Cold War Certificate is available to any New York resident who served in the military and was honorably discharged between the end of the Second World War on Sept. 2, 1945 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union on Dec. 26, 1991.

The certificate states, “In recognition of your service during the period of the Cold War, 2 September 1945 -26 December 1991, in protecting peace and stability for this Nation, the people of the state of New York are forever grateful.”

The certificate can be obtained from the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, which is responsible for administering New York state military awards.  Applicants can prove their service with a DD 214, indicating an honorable discharge or a discharge in honorable circumstances from active duty, an NGB Form 22, indicating either an honorable discharge or a discharge in honorable circumstances from the Army or Air National Guard, or a WD AGO Form 53-55 issued by the War Department prior to the creation of the Department of Defense. Information on how to apply for the New York State Cold War Certificate can be found on the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs awards website here: http://dmna.ny.gov/awards/ or by calling 518-591-5296