The Veterans Pride Initiative

Q.  What is the Veterans Pride Initiative?

A.  The Veterans Pride Initiative encourages America’s veterans to wear their medals or miniature replicas on civilian attire on patriotic national holidays.  It is derived from an Australia and New Zealand tradition of wearing medals at ceremonies and marches on April 25, ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day.

Q.  I have misplaced one or more of my medals.  How can I get replacements?

A.  Retirees may wish to check with military exchanges or military clothing stores.  An Internet search for "military medals" will generate many advertising links from private firms selling replica medals including miniatures.   Under certain circumstances, veterans may obtain official replacements for lost or damaged medals from the government by sending a request to the appropriate branch of service.

Q.  If I request my duplicate medals from the government, when can I expect to receive them?

A.  The time it takes varies by military branch and the availability of records.  If you qualify for replacements at government expense, you should request them now to be ready for the next national patriotic holiday

Q.  On what holidays does this initiative recommend veterans wear their medals?

A.  It encourages veterans to wear decorations on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. 

Q.  I'm not sure I recall correctly what medals I received.  Where can I obtain this information?

A.  Service histories are available to veterans and their next of kin from government archives.  Information about these sources and request procedures can be found here.

Q.  How should the medals be worn?

A.  Veterans wearing their decorations on their civilian clothing should place them over the left breast.  Links to information - such as the correct placement of individual awards - are included on  http://www.va.gov/veteranspride/.

Q.  I have seen news articles about veterans wearing medals they did not earn.  How does that differ from the Veterans Pride Initiative?

A.  It is wrong - and in some instances a criminal offense - for anyone to falsely represent themselves as having had military service or to claim high-profile medals they did not earn.  That is an entirely different matter than a veteran displaying legitimate honors he or she earned during actual military service.