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VETERANS URGED TO SHOW "PRIDE" AND WEAR THEIR
MEDALS
ON VETERANS DAY -- VA Secretary Nicholson:
"Wearing their
medals will demonstrate the deep pride our
veterans have in
their military service and bring Veterans Day
home to all
American citizens." Celebration based on
Australia/New Zealand ANZAC Day.
OK folks, get ready to wear those medals
with PRIDE on Veterans Day!
Information here...
http://www1.va.gov/veteranspride/
Information below:
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Veterans Pride
A Message from Secretary of Veterans Affairs R. James Nicholson
America's veterans are the face of America. They come from all walks of
life, all ages, all ethnicities. They served our Nation honorably and
well and we honor that service, but how do we honor the veteran – the
individual who put on the uniform and gave his or her all for our
country?
Last spring I had the privilege of attending the ANZAC (Australian and
New Zealand Army Corps) Day ceremonies in Sydney, Australia. ANZAC Day
is the most important national holiday in Australia, a combination of
Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
It was established to commemorate the more than
8,000 Australians killed in the battle of Gallipoli in World War I, and
now honors all Australian and New Zealand veterans.
One of the things that stood out during the day-long ceremonies was how
all of the veterans and surviving family members wore their medals and
campaign ribbons. It focused public pride and attention on those
veterans as individuals with personal histories of service and sacrifice
for the common good.
That is why I am calling on America's veterans to wear their military
medals this Veterans Day, November 11, 2006. Wearing their medals will
demonstrate the deep pride our veterans have in their military service
and bring Veterans Day home to all American citizens.
Veterans, wear your pride on your left side this Veterans Day! Let
America know who you are and what you did for freedom.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The Veterans Pride Initiative
Q. What is the Veterans Pride initiative?
A. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) launched the Veterans Pride
initiative to rally America's veterans and their survivors around the
cause of expressing patriotism and pride in past military service.
Veterans Affairs Secretary the Honorable R. James Nicholson has
encouraged America’s veterans to join in wearing their medals or
miniature replicas on national holidays beginning with the nation's Nov.
11 celebration of Veterans Day 2006. Veterans organizations are
cosponsoring the show of pride and will be urging members to proudly
display their decorations on their civilian attire on patriotic national
holidays.
Q. Where did the Veterans Pride initiative come from?
A. During recent international travel, Secretary Nicholson became aware
of a similar tradition in Australia and New Zealand. In observing the
annual April 25 holiday in those countries honoring the Australian and
New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), a tradition evolved wearing medals on
ANZAC Day at ceremonies and marches as a show of pride and, in more
recent years, with children of veterans wearing a deceased parent's
medals.
Q. I have misplaced one or more of my medals. How can I get
replacements?
A. An Internet search for "military medals" will generate considerable
advertising links from private firms selling replica medals including
miniatures. Retirees may wish to check with military exchanges or
military clothing stores. Under certain circumstances official
replacements for lost or damaged medals may be obtained from the
government by veterans by sending a request to the appropriate branch of
service. More information and links to initiate requests are available
at
http://www.va.gov/veteranspride/.
Q. If I request my duplicate medals from the government, will I receive
them in time for Veterans Day this year?
A. The speed of fulfillment varies by military service and the
availability of records. But order now to be ready for next year if you
qualify for replacements at government expense.
Q. On what holidays does VA recommend veterans wear their medals?
A. VA encourages veterans to wear decorations on Veterans Day, July
Fourth and Memorial Day.
Q. I'm not sure I recall correctly what medals I received. Where can I
obtain this information?
A. Service histories are available from government archives to veterans
and to their next of kin. Information about these sources and request
procedures is available at VA's Web page on the Veterans Pride
initiative at
http://www.va.gov/veteranspride/.
Q. How should the medals be worn?
A. Veterans are encouraged to wear their decorations on their civilian
clothing over the left breast. Other guidance such as order of
precedence of various decorations is available in links at
http://www.va.gov/veteranspride/.
Q. I have seen news articles reporting on concerns about veterans
wearing medals they did not earn, including possible legislation. How
does that work with this initiative?
A. The primary concern you reference has been where individuals have
represented themselves to have had military service -- combat zone or
other experience -- that is not true, or claiming high-profile medals
that they did not earn. VA views this as a different matter than a
veteran wearing his or her earned honors. VA does not encourage veterans
to wear medals where there is uncertainty about their service records.
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Larry Scott
