Should there be a medal for Cold War veterans?

I AGREE with Geoff Dyer’s call for a Cold War medal (Mail), but with one caveat: all who served should be recognised, not just aircrew. Those of us who served in Germany would have had a very limited lifespan in the event of all-out war. Regular officers did not receive a long-service medal while the noncommissioned ranks and below were rightly recognised for their long service. This anomaly was recently put right, but not made retrospective, which is unfair to retired officers who served their country loyally for many years. PAUL TOFI, Sqn Ldr RAF (retired), Wadebridge, Cornwall. I, TOO, played a small part in Germany during my time in the RAF in the Seventies. I was part of the engineering support that kept jet bombers airworthy and ready to respond to an attack from the East. We worked round the clock to keep the strike aircraft serviceable. I did this as a volunteer and with the full acceptance that we were no further than 20 minutes’ flying time from the threat. I expected no reward from the MoD or the Crown other than the deal I signed up for. Like the retired pilots, I had a thoroughly rewarding time in the RAF, even without a medal for my trouble. ANDREW J. DAY, Horley, Surrey. IF THERE is a Cold War medal, don’t forget the ground crews. I was stationed with a night fighter squadron near Cologne in 1952/53. We were told to drive ten-ton trucks if the Russians attacked — not much good heading west against an atom bomb! A. LAISTER, Cambridge. POLITICIANS acknowledged the dangers and heightened risks in the Cold War and awarded themselves in recognition of their service. Margaret Thatcher received the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom for her resolute defence of the unity of the West and overcoming post-war division in Europe — in other words, the Cold War — while Ronald Reagan received an honorary knighthood. So where is the recognition for the Armed Forces? A. DAVIES, Bristol.