Recognizing Cold War Radar Station Veterans

Floor Speech

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Mr. BABIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the tens of thousands of veterans who served on radar stations across the world during the Cold War.

From 1947 to 1991, American servicemembers faced extremely challenging climates and conditions in the most isolated locations to successfully mitigate threats from the Soviet Union to ensure the maintenance of peace.

These veterans were highly trained and from every United States military branch, including the National Guard and Reserve units. They were also supported by allied forces and civilians, as well.

These brave watch guards were on a mission of the utmost importance to detect, track, intercept, and destroy hostile airborne intruders when they entered the free world airspace.

Although the protection of allied airspace was successful following the end of the Cold War, the United States never officially recognized the countless hours of surveillance that these servicemembers provided to our country and the world.

Several years ago, a dedicated group of Air Force Cold War-era radar station veterans formed a nonprofit organization to raise funds for the construction of a monument commemorating their fellow servicemembers' sacrifices.

The monument was unveiled on November 7, 2019, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, with some 100 veterans and their family members in attendance.

Today, I thank these veterans for their service during such a tense and a turbulent time in our history. Their dedication to our security and the prosperity of peace never wavered an iota.

As a veteran stationed in Germany during the Cold War, I can relate to many of the sacrifices that these courageous individuals made, and I am forever grateful for them.

I include in the Record a letter by one of the United States Air Force Radar Station Veterans Monument Association founders, 1st Lieutenant James E. Muecke, which contains more information about the hard work that went into making the dream of a monument into a reality. Radar Station Veterans Monument

Several years ago, three Air Force veterans who served on various radar stations during the Cold War began discussing how to honor their service and others who held the same job. A monument was suggested, but they lacked funding and a location. Washington, D.C., was thought to be the most obvious location choice, but given how long it took to construct the World War II Memorial, they decided to look elsewhere. After many discussions with their fellow veterans, they formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization called the United States Air Force (USAF) Radar Station Veterans Monument Association. Five veterans volunteered to serve as officers for the association, and 26 agreed to become board members.

Once the association was formed, donations were sought from many Cold War-era manufacturers and suppliers of radar equipment. Unfortunately, most were out of business or had merged with other companies. As a result, the association contacted as many radar station veterans as possible to ask for their donations for the monument. Eventually, the National Museum of the United States Air Force at Wright- Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, was selected as the location for the monument's placement. The museum indicated that the project would cost approximately $30,000. After much aid from their fellow veterans, they raised $43,000.

When designing the monument, their goal was to educate the public in an appealing way. They decided on a monument made from black granite stone, with images of 23 radar sites etched into it. A mission statement and description of the radar station operating conditions were inscribed on the front, and a globe sat on top, symbolizing worldwide involvement. The monument was completed and placed in section two of Memorial Park at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. The dedication ceremony was held on November 7, 2019, with some 100 veterans and family members in attendance. It was an outstanding program; the Air Force honor guard members gave a flag presentation. After the program, the USAF Radar Station Veterans Monument Association members formally turned the monument over to the museum.

Following the ceremony, an evening banquet was held, and the association's officers were recognized for their work in commissioning the monument. They received a standing ovation. All officers were presented with a framed picture of the monument, the USAF Radar Station Veterans Monument Association's logo, and a statement of appreciation.

This is just one example of what it means to be a United States veteran: We are loyal, are proud to have served this great country, and can still stand tall for a monument dedicated to this purpose. We give a proud hand salute to all who attended, to those who could not attend because of distance or health, and especially to those who served but are no longer with us. 1st. Lt. James E. Muecke.

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Mr. BABIN. May God bless these heroes and may history remember them.

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