Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick), a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Air Force, today applauded Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s creation of a new New York State Cold War Certificate. The certificate honors the nearly one million New Yorkers who served in the military during the Cold War in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard, along with their reserve components, as well as the Army and Air National Guard.

“Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices on behalf of our community, state and nation,” said McDonough. “Today’s announcement from the governor is a remarkable way to pay respect to those who served their country during a time of need. Service to the nation during the Cold War means those veterans stood guard for America at a time when tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union could increase at a moment’s notice. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our veterans on behalf of the residents of the 14th Assembly District and all New Yorkers.”

Applications and additional information about the New York State Cold War Certificate can be found on the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs website at http://dmna.ny.gov/awards/ or by calling 518-591-5296. Applicants also may contact McDonough’s office if additional assistance is needed.

Any New York resident who served in the military and was honorably discharged between the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union on Dec. 26, 1991 is eligible for the new award. Applicants can prove their service with a DD 214, indicating an honorable discharge or a discharge in honorable circumstances from active duty, an NGB Form 22, indicating either an honorable discharge or a discharge in honorable circumstances from the Army or Air National Guard, or a WD AGO Form 53-55 issued by the War Department prior to the creation of the Department of Defense.