This petition is requesting that the state of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicle Department recognize our 91,000 Massachusetts Cold War veterans by adding a Cold War Specialty License Plate.

The State of Massachusetts: We, the undersigned are committed in ensuring that the Cold War veterans of Massachusetts are recognized for our bravery and patriotism in our enlistment and participation during the Cold War between 1945 – 1991. 

During the Cold War US soldiers enlisted and served in the protection of the United States and its allies.  These soldiers were stationed to various assignments all across the world defending the rights of countries to live in a free, democratic society. 

There are over 91,000 Cold War veterans residing in Massachusetts.  Our soldiers were sent on dangerous missions and set the precedence for how our military intelligence and defense operate to this day. They protected South Korea by standing guard on one of the most dangerous borders in the world, the DMZ.  They were stationed in West Germany, Lebanon, Africa, South America and many other countries protecting communities and safeguarding freedom, ensuring that World War III was not going to break out during such a tense time in America.  

Cold War soldiers served during “peace time” which made an unfair implication that it was easy to serve in the armed forces at that time when in reality, our soldiers put their live on the line each and every day.   The tension across the world was high and our brave soldiers were trained daily to live as if war was going to erupt the next day.  They exposed to agent orange, civil unrest, and were separated from their families for extended periods of time. Many soldiers lost their lives; some were killed, injured physically and mentally.  Those veterans proudly did their duty until the end of the cold war.  This petition is in support of those veterans.  The time has come for Massachusetts to recognize the brave sacrifice of these service people.  We are asking to add the Cold War veterans to the specialty vehicle plates offered by the state of Massachusetts.  This gesture of appreciation shows the state recognizes what these brave people have done in the name of preserving freedom.  So please, let's make this happen to honor our brave soldiers that never thought twice about putting on that uniform to protect freedom all over the world.