Unsung heroes of America’s ‘invisible war’ honored with Utah Cold War Victory Medal
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- Cold War veterans in uniform salute one another during a Utah Cold War Victory Medal pinning ceremony on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Hope Center in Roy. The ceremony was one of many events held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation honoring those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
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- Cold War veterans receive Utah Cold War Victory Medals during a pinning ceremony Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Hope Center in Roy. Friday’s ceremony was one of many events held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation honoring those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
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- Veterans are pictured during a Utah Cold War Victory Medal pinning ceremony at the Hope Center in Roy on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. The event, held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation, is one of many ceremonies to honor those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
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- Veterans are pictured saluting during taps at the conclusion of a Utah Cold War Victory Medal pinning ceremony Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Hope Center in Roy. Friday’s ceremony was one of many events held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation honoring those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
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- Veterans salute during taps at the conclusion of a Utah Cold War Victory Medal pinning ceremony Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Hope Center in Roy. Friday’s ceremony was one of many events held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation honoring those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
Deborah Wilber, Standard-Examiner
Cold War veterans in uniform salute one another during a Utah Cold War Victory Medal pinning ceremony on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Hope Center in Roy. The ceremony was one of many events held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation honoring those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
ROY — Sixty veterans were honored Friday night at the Hope Center for their service during the geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union from September 1945 to December 1991.
Veterans and family members of veterans who have passed on accepted a Utah Cold War Victory Medal and certificate acknowledging their sacrifices to their country during the Cold War, also called the “invisible war.”
Jean George said there was such an outpouring of gratitude from veterans being honored it pulled at her heart strings, saying to one man, “If you start bawling, I’ll start bawling.”
George’s son Kelly was pinned with a Cold War medal in honor of his father, Gerald, who passed away in May 2021.
On behalf of her father, a U.S. Navy veteran, Jean George was also pinned with a medal Friday evening. Having married into a Navy family, she said she thought her husband would have given ship-life a chance.
Deborah Wilber, Standard-Examiner
Cold War veterans receive Utah Cold War Victory Medals during a pinning ceremony Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Hope Center in Roy. Friday's ceremony was one of many events held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation honoring those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
Gerald reportedly told his wife he could run much faster than he could swim.
Roy Mayor Robert Dandoy, a fellow veteran of the naval forces and guest speaker at the pinning ceremony, recalled what it was like a being servicemen during the Vietnam War, which coincided with the Cold War.
Dandoy said he remembers pulling into port in Oakland, California, when everyone onboard his ship was ordered not to leave the vessel in uniform during shore leave due to increased hostility over the war.
“But this is America,” Dandoy said, recalling his surprise at the order to conceal his military affiliation.
Dandoy supports the Utah Cold War Veterans Foundation, made up local veterans, to honor more than 70,000 potential recipients with a medal created specially for them. Larry Kerr, vice chairman of the foundation’s board of directors, said servicemen and women from the Cold War sometimes go unheard, unseen and unsung.
Deborah Wilber, Standard-Examiner
Veterans are pictured during a Utah Cold War Victory Medal pinning ceremony at the Hope Center in Roy on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022. The event, held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation, is one of many ceremonies to honor those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
According to Kerr, many of these veterans served in bases and active military zones across the world, especially around communist nations, to protect free people in neighboring countries.
These veterans served on submarines, drove tanks and conducted surveillance all while under fire by the Soviet Union and its allies until the dismantling of all communist governments in Eastern Europe in 1989 and 1990.
Kerr said Cold War veterans are not invisible and they deserve to be recognized.
With the support of U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, and the Utah Veterans of Foreign Affairs, the Cold War Victory Medal is an authorized token “of much needed gratitude for the brave men and women who served in this perilous time.”
The medals are crafted by BrightPoint Creative in Salt Lake City. They are purchased in bulk in order to receive them for $15 a piece. They come at no cost to the veteran as they are paid for fully by donations, which can be made through BrightPoint Creative.
Deborah Wilber, Standard-Examiner
Veterans are pictured saluting during taps at the conclusion of a Utah Cold War Victory Medal pinning ceremony Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Hope Center in Roy. Friday's ceremony was one of many events held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation honoring those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
San Antonio resident and Cold War veteran Nelson Thibault called the veterans foundation looking to donate money to the cause. Kerr called Thibault to personally thank him for his kindness.
“I think it’s great thing they’re doing in Utah,” Thibault said.
Kerr said he did not know how Thibault, who has no ties to Utah, became aware of the foundation, but he said he suspects social media played a part.
Thibault will be receiving an appreciation plaque, a Utah Cold War Victory Medal and certificate on behalf of the foundation for his generosity, Kerr said.
Foundation committee members called “blue shirts” are currently in possession of medals and looking for Cold War veterans to honor. Veterans and family members of veterans who served during this time are encouraged to submit names for upcoming events.
Deborah Wilber, Standard-Examiner
Veterans salute during taps at the conclusion of a Utah Cold War Victory Medal pinning ceremony Friday, Feb. 11, 2022, at the Hope Center in Roy. Friday's ceremony was one of many events held by the Utah Cold War Veteran Foundation honoring those who served their country between 1945 and 1991.
Kerr said the organization is focused on trying to honor as many World War II and Korean veterans who served from 1945-1991 so they can also be honored with a Utah Cold War Victory Medal.
“They are all passing away,” he said.
Veteran Gordon Cox was set to receive his Victory Medal on Friday but died two days before. Cox turned 91 years old on Nov. 8, 2021. Brothers and UCWVF “blue shirts” Andy and Joseph Vigil presented Cox’s daughter Sheri Russell and brother Neil Cox with his medal prior to his memorial service Monday morning.
“It’s sad we cannot get to them sooner,” Andy Vigil said.
The Utah Cold War Veterans Foundation is expecting to honor a large number of Cold War veterans in their 80s and 90s in a memorial ceremony this Saturday in Hooper. Blue shirts will be opening the Latter-day Saints Cultural Hall, located at 6050 W. 5600 South, around 10 a.m. to allow older veterans time to get seated for the event scheduled from noon to 2 p.m.