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American Cold War Veterans, Inc. [ACWV] is a national veterans organization dedicated to all current and former United States armed forces military personnel with a special focus to those with service in the Cold War.

Founded on August 18, 2007, at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, in the United States. This organization promotes the interests of United States military veterans of the Cold War era. It is funded without any contribution from any branch of government.

The American Cold War Veterans are a federally recognized 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity. A non-profit charitable organization incorporated in the state of Florida in 2007.

Advocacy
The [ACWV] aims to support all veterans with special focus on the achievements and public perceptions of the Cold War, to educate the public about facts of that era still unknown, and to ensure the honor of Cold War veterans' service. The organization's main efforts include:
 * Changing policies that exclude and discriminate against veterans of the Cold War;
 * Creating a legislative voice for the veterans of the Cold War conflict;
 * Forgotten POW/MIA and bringing them home;
 * Government relations advocacy on veterans affairs;
 * Health care for veterans, including disabled veterans;
 * Collaborating with veterans organizations and assisting in common goals and causes.

Mission Statement
The American Cold War Veterans, Inc. (ACWV) is a group dedicated to all military veterans, with special dedication to those who served during the Cold War, September 1945 to December 1991. The mission is to bring respect, recognition and awareness to veterans of the Cold War era no matter what branch of service, whether active duty, reserve or National Guard. The ACWV is committed to honoring the sacrifices made by millions of American men and women during the Cold War, especially those who paid the ultimate price of life or liberty.

Founding Principles

 * To institute a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day in all fifty states and, eventually, a National Day of Remembrance;
 * A Cold War Victory Medal to specifically honor Cold War veterans and show the world that their commitment to world peace was worth their sacrifices;
 * 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.

Membership
Membership is open to military veterans who served honorably during the Cold War between September 6, 1945, and December 26, 1991. Membership is also open for civilians who served honorably in the Intelligence Community (e.g., CIA, DIA, NSA, ONI, State Department's Office of Intelligence and Research) between those dates.

Recognition Campaign
In October of 2001, Congress passes the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2002, and is signed into Law Dec. 28, 2001 by the President, George W. Bush. In the NDAA that was approved by both houses, signed into law by the President, was the Sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should consider authorizing the issuance of a Campaign medal, to be known as the Cold War Service Medal, to each person who while a member of the Armed Forces served satisfactorily on active duty during the Cold War. The Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, did not create the medal.

Publications
ACWV encourages and contributes to greater public awareness of the outstanding issues surrounding Cold War era veterans by continually disseminating written information in partnership with the Cold War Times, The Cold War Museum's online news magazine.