Cuban Missile Crisis Anniversary

50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis Conference

and Book Signing with Sergei Khrushchev

(FAIRFAX, VA, August 29, 2012)--The Cold War Museum and the Department of History & Art History at George Mason University (GMU) will convene a distinguished panel of historians, authors, and first-hand participants to discuss and commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis. This FREE half-day program will be held Saturday, October 27, 2012, 10:00am, in the Harris Theater at GMU, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA. Pre-registration required.

“This is a unique opportunity,” said Gary Powers, Jr., Founder and Chairman Emeritus of The Cold War Museum, “to experience first-hand accounts by renowned experts on the facts, events, strategies and challenging decisions of what many experts agree was the most dangerous and volatile time in history.”

Sergei Khrushchev, son of Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, and author of "Nikita Khrushchev and the Creation of a Superpower," will provide the keynote address. Following Khrushchev’s remarks, the following experts will conduct a panel discussion: Martin J. Sherwin, Pulitzer Prize winning author about Robert J. Oppenheimer and GMU History Professor; Michael Dobbs, Washington Post reporter and author of “One Minute to Midnight;” and Svetlana Savranskaya, editor of “The Soviet Cuban Missile Crisis” and National Security Archives Director for Russian Archives and Institutes.

U-2 pilot Colonel Buddy Brown (USAF, Ret.) and F8U-1P Crusaders pilot Lt. Commander Tad Riley (USN, Ret.), who overflew Cuban SA-2 missile sites during the crisis, will discuss their mission objectives and recollections. Photographic interpreter Dino Brugioni, who briefed President Kennedy on the photos taken over Cuba, will provide a dramatic first-hand account of the behind-the-scenes activities of the Kennedy administration during the crisis.

Immediately following the conference there will be a book signing with Sergei Khrushchev, Dino Brugioni (“Eyeball to Eyeball”), Michael Dobbs, Ken Jack ("Blue Moon over Cuba: Aerial Reconnaissance During the Cuban Missile Crisis"), Svetlana Savranskaya, Harvey Simon (“The Madman Theory”), and David Stokes ("Camelot’s Cousin").

Sponsors include David Stokes, Syneca Research Group, Inc., and Whit Williams. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, breakfast with the panelists, or to register for the conference visit www.coldwar.org/articles/60s/CubanMissileCrisis50thAnniversary.asp.

ABOUT THE COLD WAR MUSEUM

The Cold War Museum, founded in 1996, honors Cold War veterans and preserves Cold War history. It is dedicated to education, preservation and research about the global political and ideological confrontations between East and West from the end of World War II to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

 

The End of the Cold War?

Today I am going to talk about the end of the Cold War, but not in the literal sense. We all know that as the Soviet Union became more open and reformed, communism came to an end. However, what we fail to take notice of is how the Cold War has never really left the consciousness of the American people. I am not talking about the college kids who walk around wearing t-shirts the hammer, sickle and CCCP written on it. (Ask anyone of them to explain what that means and I bet you they will begin to talk about Che Guevara or Nietzsche and think they are totally cool and "in tune" with the movement.) I am talking about those who still reference the Cold War as if it was a threat today as it was 30 years ago.

Now, before you begin to argue with me on whether the Cold War truly ended, the one thing we can agree on is the threat is different than it was back during the height of the Cold War. However, some seem to have trouble getting out of that mindset. According to Mitt Romney, Russia is our number one geopolitical foe. Late night talk show hosts joke about Putin's rise to power and how he would like to return Russia to its former glory. People on the street still use "commie" as a common slur and a whole host of computer and board games over the past couple years have used the Soviets of Soviet-like foes. So why do we sometimes still default back to our old, trusty foe when we are looking for one to fill the void? Quite honestly, I believe it is because the Cold War mentality became so engrained into the American psyche that the Soviets have become our default enemy, even though they no longer exist.

We really can't answer the question of when Cold War ended until the generations that actually experienced it have gone. I can still remember watching the news channels and hearing reports about the Soviets, seeing their flag in the top corner of the TV. Even though I know they aren't around anymore, I still can see them as an enemy entity, a default answer to a question. It is hard not to think about Russia and see, for a fleeting second, the Soviet flag in your mind's eye. That is because I lived through part of the Cold War. I grew up with the Soviet Union as our #1 enemy. I often wonder if the younger generations nowadays put two and two together. As I have said in earlier posts, some of the college kids I have questioned can't tell the Cold War from the Civil War. One kid even asked me if I dug up any of my collection in South Carolina, because he heard that is the best place to find southern Cold War artifacts.

Has the Cold War really ended? For the younger generation it has. But for us who lived during the Cold War, I believe that it will never really end for us. We lived during a time of great paranoia, mistrust and anxiety. That isn't something you ever forget about, even if the war itself is actually over. We will always carry the Cold War in us, and our minds will sometimes default back to the old ways. The thing that we have to remember is that the Cold War, at least how we knew it, really is over even if our bodies will not let us forget it.

We Are Back!

After a few weeks hiatus, we are back here at the Cold War blog! You will notice a little bit of a different format in the next few weeks.

After not being able to find people to write for us, I will have to drop the entries down to once a week. If you are interested in writing for the Cold War Museum Blog, please contact us and we will discuss with you how to accomplish this.

As you know, the Cold War Museum's physical site is still in its infancy, and every little bit helps! If you want to donate some time, talent or money please contact us at http://coldwar.org/.

Finally, check back later this week for the first review of the new format!

Thank you so much!

Joellyn Jones
Social Media Manager

The Cold War is Heating Up Again!

The Cold War is HEATING UP again, only this time we're sweating bullets instead of shooting them! Please help The Cold War Museum get the air conditioner repaired. The Cold War Museum is located in wonderful Vint Hill Virginia, and while it is a beautiful location, it is also ungodly hot in the summer! Every little bit helps, and we need your help! Below is a link to the Museum's contributions page where you can use Paypal (no account required, just pay as a guest if you prefer), Network for Good or JustGive. Thanks.

http://www.coldwar.org/museum/contributions.asp

Event!

Please join us in welcoming Linda McCarthy and her collection of rare, real-life spy gadgets. This event, benefiting the Cold War Museum, will allow you to view these unique artifacts up close and learn how they were put to use during the Cold War. Linda is one of the foremost authorities on the tools of spycraft. She was the founding curator of the CIA Museum, is the founder of History Is A Hoot and served as board member of the Cold War Museum.

When: Saturday July 28, 2012 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Where: Fairfax County Army Navy Country Club, Fairfax, VA

Admission is free, but donations in support of The Cold War Museum are encouraged.

Check out the Cold War Museum website for more details!

Weekend Review: "Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2"

Being a Cold War historian, I find myself naturally drawn to movies, television shows and games that have anything to do with the Cold War, Soviets or nuclear warfare. While not directly dealing with the Cold War, the Command and Conquer series takes themes from the Cold War and turns it into a very entertaining computer game.

Command and Conquer: Red Alert 2 takes place in an alternate reality where the Soviet Union fights the Allies. The game allows you to play as either the Soviet Union or the United States in story mode. They also have free play where you can play without having to worry about accomplishing goals, just destroying the enemy.

What is great about the story mode is that the creators really gave some thought into what may have happened had the Cold War escalated in a different way. There are campaigns that are reminiscent of the campaigns in WWII; from conquering a building to conquering a whole city. There are standard weapons like guns, sentry towers, and nuclear bombs, but there are also fantastical weapons that use electricity, controlled storms and cloaking technology.

The single player mode allows you to build a base from scratch and then launch attacks against your enemy/enemies in order to become the last one standing. Each player has a possible super weapon that they can build their way up to getting, and once their weapon is launched it is almost impossible to avoid it. You can wipe out your enemy, or infiltrate them and take them down from the inside. There are as many ways to win as there are to lose, and this is what makes this game so challenging and fun. No matter how many times you have played it (and I have been playing this game for 12 years) it is still challenging and entertaining after all of these years. I am purposely being vague about the gameplay because this game is full of awesome technology and twists and turns. I am still finding out new things about this game, so I don't want to give too much away!

I highly recommend this game for anyone who is a fan of real time strategy and the Cold War. While not directly related to the Cold War, Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 is a must play for any enthusiast.

DEFCON rating: 1

Just play it, you won't regret it!



The Things I Do For the Cold War...

As you know from my bio, I collect Civilian Civil Defense items. I have a rather extensive collection, and I love to talk about my items and the Cold War every chance I get. Well, when National Geographic's "America's Lost Treasures" came to town, I decided to enter one of my manuals to be shown on the program.

I submitted my application and promptly forgot about it, until I received and email stating that my manual had been accepted for the show... along with myself to talk about it. I love teaching about the Cold War, but usually to smaller groups. However, I feel so strongly about the Cold War that I was willing to go on TV and talk about it. A television appearance is a very daunting thing for a normally shy person, but I decided to take one for the team. Besides... its not like they were going to put a lot of focus on my artifact, right? It wasn't exactly a lost treasure per se...

Yeah, it got mentioned alright. I just had to suffer through watching myself on TV for two painful minutes as I went on to describe my manual and a little bit about the Cold War. They weren't kidding when they said they would shoot for 1/2 hour but only use 2 minutes worth! I knew that it wasn't going to be a lot of time, but I never expected 2 whole minutes...

Even though it was incredibly uncomfortable for me to watch, I understand that it was for the greater good. You see, most of the people I encounter do not see Cold War objects as "lost treasures".  However, they are quickly becoming lost treasures and that is why we need to preserve them. Many of the people I show my collection to begin our conversation with "oh, my relative had a bunch of this stuff and we threw it away..." This breaks my heart every time I hear it.

If you are reading this blog, then you are obviously interested in the Cold War. You may even be a veteran of the Cold War or have a collection of you own. The thing that we need to remember is the Cold War is slipping away from people's memory and we need to preserve it and talk about it. If we keep quiet and choose to be shy about Cold War rather than talking to people, then in 50 years artifacts from the Cold War will indeed become lost treasures.

So, if you would like to see me on TV check your local listings for the National Geographic Channel's "America's Lost Treasures: Milwaukee". Don't laugh too hard. (As a side note, they incorrectly listed that sirens other Cold War stuff is worth more than the book. Even though they might monetarily be worth more, the paper stuff is still more rare.) :)

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July from the Cold War Museum! Please have safe travels and stay cool!

Cold War Biographies: Laika

I decided to think outside the box today when I chose this week's Cold War biography. Laika is not your average Cold Warrior, but she is such an important part of the space program and the Cold War that I could not overlook her. The Cold Warrior I am going to profile today is Laika, dubbed"Mutt-nik" by the Americans.

Laika was a mongrel who was found as a stray on the streets of Moscow. The Russians believed that a stray dog would be perfect for space travel because they had to endure such tough conditions on the streets. A street dog, it was thought, could hold their own in extreme conditions better than a house pet. Laika was set in a program with two other dogs. They endured harsh training and sterile conditions in order to get ready for space flight.

Laika was trained to stay in one spot through the use of smaller and smaller cages in order to adapt to the short time she would spend in the capsule. She also underwent endurance tests such as the centrifuge to simulate a space shuttle launch. Out of three dogs, she was chosen to be the one to ride into space.

It was never intended for Laika to survive the trip, and it took the Soviet Union a long time to admit that she died shortly after reaching space. However, it was one of the first experiments that paved the way for human occupation of space vehicles. Laika's fate also created a sense of responsibility to both the Soviets and the Americans regarding their treatment of animals in space. Several scientists who worked with Laika regretted that she was never meant to come back home, and the rest of the Soviet missions allowed for the animals to be returned safely home. Laika is revered for her bravery and she has had stamps, days and even a staute erected in her honor.

Friday Movie (Sort Of) Review: DEFCON

I decided that today I would deviate slightly from the normal course of movie reviews by not actually reviewing a movie. Rather, I am going to review one of my favorite computer games: DEFCON.

DEFCON is a computer game created by Introversion Software out of the UK. The goal of the game is to destroy as much of the enemy as possible while saving as many of your people as you can. The game explores the worst case scenario of the Cold War: total annihilation. It simulates any number of scenarios that you can create, and it has a great replay value. You are the leader of a country and control the nuclear arsenal. You are able to manipulate these units and set them against your enemy.

The game starts at DEFCON 5, which allows players to place units and begin to move their fleets into international waters. DEFCON 4 allows you to place radar units and gather information. You can also continue to place units during this time period. When DEFCON 3 takes effect, conventional naval and airborne combat is authorized. The conflict escalates to DEFCON 2 with combat becoming more aggressive. DEFCON 1 is initiated shortly after DEFCON 2, and this authorizes the use of nuclear weapons. ICBM's, submarine nukes and bomber nukes become available for use. The weapons are targeted and launched.

Essentially you are playing a thermonuclear chess match. You need to place your units strategically throughout the game. You also have to defend your most populous cities, while sacrificing others. The game plays pretty much like a real scenario would have been played out during the Cold War. On the map below, you see flight patterns of missiles, the fleets off of the coast and the large white dots are direct hits by nuclear weapons.

The game is not as graphically advanced as the games are today (or in 2006 when it was released), but that is part of the shock of the whole game. All you see is a map of the world with your allies and enemies marked on it and stats listed around the board. It has an incredibly haunting soundtrack, and every once in awhile you hear random soft sobs. Here is a video of a NATO vs. China and Russia scenario. (Make sure you have the sound turned up.)

DEFCON is not a fun game, it isn't a game that you play to enjoy. It is a game of strategy, and it is one of the most challenging games I have every played. There is no winning in this game; you lose every time. This is the only game I know where everyone loses, and the one who loses the least is the one who is declared the victor. Sound a little familiar, my Cold Warriors? I believe that this was the strategy for an actual nuclear war.

I highly recommend playing this game if you have a chance, especially if you are interested in how the actual warfare would have played out during the Cold War. You can set up the enemies and allies which ever way you want and you can play out your own scenario. The first time I played this game, I was all excited to be able to play through all the levels of DEFCON. When the last bomb was launched and I saw how many people had been lost in one encounter, it gave me the shakes. The scenario I played was an all out nuclear encounter between Europe, America, Russia and China. Thousands survived and millions died and I put the game away for almost a year before I dared to play it again.

I have to give DEFCON a rating of DEFCON 1. The realism in this game is too real, and the emotion you get by playing is real as well.  It gives you the horrible understanding of what would have happened if the bombs fell. 

Cold War Biography

The Cold Warrior I have chose to write this column about today is a pretty important guy. This man was responsible for saving the world from nuclear annihilation. Look familiar?

This man's name is Vasili Arkhipov, and he was the second in command on the Soviet Foxtrot-Class submarine B-59, which was just offshore of Cuba. The date was October 27th, 1962 which was during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The USS Randolph began dropping depth charges in order to force the submarine to surface so they could identify them. The captain of B-59, Valentin Grigorievitch Savitsky believed that the charges were the beginning of a nuclear war. He convinced the political officer, Ivan Semonovich Maslennikov, to launch a nuclear tipped torpedo. The two men tried to persuade Arkhipov to go along with launching the torpedo.

The submarine needed three officers to launch the torpedo, and Vasili Arkhipov was against the launch. There was an argument, and Arkhipov convinced Savitsky to surface the submarine and wait for orders. If Arkhipov would have agreed to launch the torpedo, the USA would have surely seen this as a sign of agression and a full out nuclear war would have ensued. It was because of Arkhipov that the disaster was averted and the world did not have to suffer an apocalypse.

Friday Movie Review: A is for Atom

Albert Einstein, the cartoon!

A is for Atom is one of those cutesy little movies that was made to inform the viewer about nuclear energy and atoms. Created in 1952, this movie is an overview of what is known about the atom to that point.

The movie first describes what an atom is, and how atomic energy can create limitless energy. There is information on how an atom works, how it looks and the parts of an atom. There is a short history of atomic energy including artificial transmutation, nuclear weapons and nuclear energy. The Oakridge plant is then discussed, and this leads to a short discussion of the future of nuclear energy. (Including the use of isotopes in medicine and agriculture.)

The dropping of the atomic bomb and the proliferation of nuclear weapons during the Cold War lead to the increased interest in nuclear energy and atoms. This video is a great introduction to the subject.

You can view the whole 14 minute video here, and I highly recommend it!


A is for Atom: DEFCON 2

-educational
-cute
-great vision of the future

I Need You!

Yes, you! I have been writing 3 blogs a week for quite some time now, and while I enjoy it immensely, this blog is really about you! I need your help writing this blog. We have three segments; movie reviews, Cold Warrior biographies and artifacts and events of the Cold War. I need your ideas! What would you like to see? Do you have a story for our biography blog? Do you have an interesting artifact you would like profiled? Was there an event that defined the Cold War for you? I need you to let me know! Friend us on Facebook and tell us about your interest or message me through this blog. I can't wait to hear from all of you!

Cold War Biography

In light of recent events, I decided to dedicate today's blog to Francis Gary Powers. If you are unaware of the most recent news, Mr. Powers is being posthumously awarded the silver star for his "exceptional loyalty" during his terrible interrogation by the Soviets.

Flying a U-2 mission, Mr. Powers was shot down over the Soviet Union on May 1st, 1960. He had to endure harsh interrogation at the hands of the KGB. He then had to endure the rough conditions in the prison in which he was held. Two years after he was captured, he was exchanged for a Soviet colonel.

I would like to say he got the welcome home that he deserved, but unfortunately the reception was cold. He was initially criticized for the way he handled the situation. Thankfully, Mr. Powers appeared before the senate and it was determined that he followed orders, did not give any information to the Soviets and had conducted himself “as a fine young man under dangerous circumstances.”

Finally, after all these years, Mr. Powers is getting the recognition he deserves. On June 15, 2012, General Norton Schwartz will present the Silver Star to the surviving family of Francis Gary Powers for his action during the U-2 spy plane incident. This will be a truly remarkable day in Cold War History!

Friday Movie Review: Twilight Zone's "The Shelter"

Today's movie review is a review of The Twilight Zone's "The Shelter." The Twilight Zone is well known for its horror, science fiction and psychological thriller stories which takes an average situation and gives it a twist, or several, or no twist at all, which kept the audience guessing until the very end. Some of The Twilight Zone's most compelling episodes are not the ones that include little green men or robots, but the ones that address subjects relating to the Cold War and how people react to these Cold War situations that they are thrust into.

"The Shelter" begins like a typical day in 1960's suburbia; a birthday party is being held for the main character Bill Stockton by his wife Grace. His guests include his brother-in-law Jerry, Frank Henderson and Marty Weiss who are former roommates, and the wives of Jerry, Frank and Marty. You can see from the friendly banter that Bill is well liked amongst his group of friends. As a doctor, not only is Bill their friend, but he has also taken care of them and delivered their children. They spend the time toasting him, as well as slightly roasting him about his building of a fallout shelter in his basement. It is clear from the conversation that he is the only one who has made these preparations.

The party continues until it is interrupted by Bill's son Paul who says "Mom, mom! The picture went out on the TV set." Well, this is never a good thing when it comes to a story about the Cold War (see: Fail-Safe and the Day After for starters.) The dreaded instructions are telling them to turn to the CONELRAD stations, and the once jovial party finds out that there are unidentified objects heading towards the US. The party rushes out to get back to their houses and Bill and his family lock themselves into their shelter.

One by one, the party guests come back with their families and they desperately try to get Bill to open the door. The mothers beg Bill to take in their children, and there is nothing that Bill can do; his shelter is stocked for three people only. The once friendly guests begin to turn on Bill and each other, letting their anger boil to the surface. Racism, paranoia and hostility burn into every word they speak to their former friends. Finally, the decision on the outside is made to break down the shelter door and let themselves in. Using what they can for a battering ram, the guests succeed in getting into the shelter only to hear a radio announcement. The threat is over; the unidentified objects were just harmless satellites. The friends apologize for their behavior, but the damage has been done.

We can learn a lot about the Cold War from this episode. Many people took the approach that the party guests had taken; they thought that they would never need a fallout shelter. What they didn't consider was that they might need one someday, and the desperation they would feel once they found out that they were unprepared. Desperation is what leads people to do things out of character. The party guests, who held Bill in such high regard, turned against him when it became a matter of life and death. As they were trying to get into the shelter, they turned against each other. At the very end, they were guilty of committing murder; the breaking of the shelter door rendered the shelter useless and wrote a death sentence for the three people it was intended for. "The Shelter" showed us in a few short hours, a group of people could go from beloved friends to cold blooded killers all in the name of survival.

But Bill is not innocent in all of this. Fallout shelters were supposed to be discreet ways of surviving. There were ways to build one under the cover of secrecy. Bill's building of his fallout shelter was well known, to the point that he was teased by the members of the party. What Bill failed to do is think through the entire timeline of ramifications that would occur if he built the shelter. He stopped right at the "save my family part" of the timeline. He never went further to understand what his neighbors would try to do. In trying to save his family, Bill effectively killed them because he did not consider everything that would happen.

It was very important (and still is important) to keep survival plans as secret as possible. The Cold War showed us that very few people were actually prepared for such an event to happen. Just because people aren't prepared doesn't mean that they are going to give up when the hammer does fall. They will go to those who are prepared or who they perceive as being prepared and try to get them to let them in on the plan. It will not end well. This is good advice to follow today with any survival plans. Now, I know that avid readers of the blog and Facebook know that I have a fallout shelter in my basement and that I am a survivalist. However, the fallout shelter is mainly to showcase my collection of fallout shelter supplies and collectibles. Don't think for one second that I am staying put in my basement; unlike Bill, what I am going to do and where I am going to go is known only to me and my fiance. This is how I am going to ensure our best bet at survival and that is what Bill should have focused on.

"The Shelter" gave us a great glimpse into human psychology and how people would react during the worst of the worst. It taught us that being prepared for a disaster didn't necessarily mean that we were 100% prepared. "The Shelter" showed us the ugly side of human nature and the lengths that people would go to in order to survive. It is one of the more chilling episodes of the entire series, and it is definitely one that should not be missed.
The Twilight Zone "The Shelter": DEFCON 2

-psychological
-realism
-relevance to today

Artifact of the Day!

Today's artifact of the day are survival crackers! Now, these aren't glamorous like Geiger counters or fallout signs, but they were some of the most important items in a fallout shelter. These crackers were meant to be a main staple of the shelter diet, and they can be easily found today.

In a survival situation, it is very important to keep your calorie count up. If you drop below a certain level you begin to lose energy and feel depressed. Depression can lead to hopelessness and paranoia; two things that could make shelter life very difficult. It was very important to keep morale in a shelter up so that you could face what was outside the shelter once you emerged.

These cracker tins weigh about 7lbs a piece, and usually come two to a box. The reason why crackers were chosen is because they could be stored very easy and they had a relatively decent shelf life. (You were supposed to rotate shelter supplies every 6-12 months depending on what it was.) Besides cans of water and crackers you could find military MRE's, canned vegetables and fruits, starches as well as canned meat in a typical shelter. When it came time to swap out shelter supplies, there would be a lot of bland, but healthy, meals served at dinner time!

Cold War Biographies

This is week two of our Cold War Biographies. Today, we will focus on John Welch, board chair for the Cold War Museum.

John has been one of the driving forces behind the museum, and here is a little more about him!

Tell us a little about yourself, what your position is at the Cold War Museum and how you got involved with it.

I was born the last of six kids a month after Kennedy was assassinated to a couple of Depression Babies who rinsed and re-used the plastic baggies from our lunches. Mom and Dad came from Brooklyn, moved us around NY some, until we settled with the Bell System in North Carolina in 1978. They were married 53 years when cancer took Mom in 2003, and they still serve as an example of how dedicated, loving and rewarding marriage can be. They were the great teachers of my life, and I’ll do well if I live to be half the man my father was.

In the early 1990’s I met Gary Powers Jr. at George Mason University. I was focused on a straight-A grade average to make up for my under-graduate; it was an important part of learning that anything is possible with enough effort. Gary and I were in the MPA program together and became friends. He had an idea for a memorial to his Dad and asked me to help. We soon realized that there was a much bigger story to tell, and thanks to Gary’s unbelievably tireless efforts The Cold War Museum was born. I was a pretty good background guy. Gary was (and is) great as a public speaker and many other things, but our differences made us a good team. I’m skipping a lot here – Gary deserves a lot more credit. In 2010 I took over as chairman. I’m honored and privileged to lead this effort, and pray I’m up to the task.

Leslie (my wife) and I met at work in DC. She’s beautiful, funny, smart and dedicated. I’m blessed to have such a partner in life. Lucas was born in 1999 – just as the Millennium Bug was scamming the tech industry. Joshua was born in 2003, just in time to be held by his Nana before her reassignment as his guardian angel. They are my purpose in life. While the museum and other charitable efforts I support are important, if I can look back on my life knowing that I took proper care of my wife and children then I’ll move on with confidence and humble self-satisfaction.

While nonprofit management and fundraising are my specialty and my current career, I’ve wandered a bit. I’m fascinated by the long-game in public policy and public administration – which is a Cold War theme. Consider how many governments have been formed under the premise of serving “the people” only to later subjugate them. I believe in systemic change, which is made possible only if institutions like The Cold War Museum encourage people to seek the truth. I’m also fascinated by how things work, which is why I became licensed general contractor and home inspector. My first car was a 1965 Corvair that I disassembled at age 14 and had running and ready when I got my license two years later. Despite my efforts, it was still unsafe at any speed. Now I enjoy using the tools and skills I gained as a contractor to help my friends and family occasionally, as the aging back allows. And I enjoy applying myself to exceptional missions – most notably that of The Cold War Museum.

Why do you feel the Cold War should be preserved?

The Cold War was the most volatile and dangerous time in history. It holds many lessons that should be studied toward securing a more safe and secure world for our children. It is important to recognize and remember the significant (and in some cases, ultimate) sacrifices made by Cold War Veterans and civilians to attain and/or protect Freedom. Freedom has a cost that is paid by few but benefits many. Honoring them is the right thing to do. And we must be ever mindful that Freedom, when taken for granted, is in peril. Thus the need for a Cold War Museum: learn from history or repeat it.

What is your favorite artifact in the Cold War Museum’s Collection?

I guess it’s the SA-II Russian-made missile. Aside from being cool, I like the fact that it was constructed as part of a strategy to defeat our Free society and now resides in our museum, helping to tell the story of Democracy’s victory of Communism. And in a museum that doesn’t charge admission – it’s Free too!

What do you personally remember most about the Cold War?

My first opportunity to vote in an election came when Ronald Reagan ran for his second term. I remember feeling safe with him in charge.

Who is your favorite Cold Warrior?

I don’t know – who’s your favorite super hero? Every man or woman who signed on the dotted line making a commitment to stand between you and me and a bullet is my hero. That’s why I’m so eager to build a Cold War Memorial – not only for those who served in uniform but also for those whose service can never be publicly known. If you want me to narrow it down, I’d go with my older brother who served in the Marines in the late ‘70’s and took an oath that remains intact to this day to defend America. And if you’ll allow me to stretch the definition of the Cold War slightly I would claim another family warrior as a favorite: my Dad served in the Pacific theater toward the end of WWII and to my astonishment and great satisfaction trained on Japanese codes with the Signal Corps at Vint Hill, Va. Small world!

What else would you like people to know about you and your relationship to the Cold War?

You’ll notice that when I write I capitalize words that my English teachers wouldn’t: Free, Freedom, Veteran… For important reasons I choose to my apply time, energy and resources to telling the Cold War story, honoring those who served, and helping our children learn that Freedom is worth everything. It’s a bedrock value handed down by our Founding Fathers; it’s what brave men and women fought for in our past wars; and it’s what motivated many to break free of authoritarian regimes during the Cold War. During the Cold War people fought for their “inalienable rights,” and those of others. I wish to honor their legacy, tell their story and ensure that their values endure. Hence, The Cold War Museum.

As you can see, John has a great desire to preserve the Cold War and to teach others about it. (And apparently he does general contract work, so that is always a plus when it comes time to re-shingle the roof...)

I hope you enjoyed this interview, and remember to check back on Wednesdays and Fridays for new posts!

Friday Movie Review: The Day After

Why not start the movie blog out with two terrifying movies? Last week, I reviewed Fail-Safe and this week we have another movie along similar lines. (I am not going to reveal too much in this review. I hope to give you enough that it will persuade you into watching it, if you already haven't.)

One of the most terrifying things about the movie is how it begins; just a normal day. You start by watching people go about their normal business. Dr. Russell Oakes and his wife are shown starting their day before the doctor takes off for Kansas City for work. Farmer Jim Dahlberg and his family are at their farm house preparing for their daughter's wedding. Stephen Klein, a student at the University of Kansas is hitchhiking home to Joplin, Missouri. The movie follows them as they do their regular routine, but then you begin to notice things that are out of the ordinary. They begin to casually mention events relating to the Cold War, and then they begin to see reports on the TV. No one can really believe what is going on, but the severity of the situation is realized once the counter attack is launched by the US and you see the missiles slowly float over the cornfields.

The attack sequence is probably the most horrifyingly real portrayal of what an attack would be like. Just have a look for yourself. If you were ever wondering what an attack would be like, this is it.

The rest of the movie follows the main characters and how they cope in the aftermath of total destruction. We see those who follow the recommendations of the CD and survive, while some do not and suffer the consequences. This is another movie where I won't reveal too much due to the fact that the shock value lies in the story and how it unfolds. I can however tell you that this movie, like Fail-Safe, does not lose this shock after multiple viewings. I watched the linked video of the attack sequence to make sure it was what it said it was, and I am thoroughly depressed now. This movie is a must see for anyone interested in the Cold War.

The Day After: DEFCON 1

-scary effects
-interesting story
-realism
-Steve Guttenberg (You have to love him!)

Memorial Day

Today is a day to remember those who have given everything to protect our wonderful country, and also to keep in our prayers those who still give in order to preserve it.

Friday Movie Review: Fail-Safe

I found it fitting to begin my movie review blog with one of the best Cold War movies ever made. Fail-Safe was directed by Sidney Lumet. The movie came out in 1964, two years after the Cuban Missile Crisis. During this time, the USA and Russia were still on pretty rocky ground regarding the Crisis as well as the tension of a possible nuclear war at any point. The movie was based on a book by the same name, and stared Henry Fonda, Dan O'Herlihy, Walter Matthau, Frank Overton, Fritz Weaver, Dom DeLuise and Larry Hagman.

(This movie is really good, and it is a must watch. So unlike other reviews, I am going to not reveal the end of this movie. You should watch this movie if you have any interest in the Cold War. I am not joking. You will thank me.)

This movie is a fictionalized account of a nuclear crisis during the Cold War. American radars erroneously detect an incursion into American airspace. Several bombers are directed to their "fail-safe" points where they await the "go code" to attack. They wait there while the SAC scrambles to find out what the unidentified object on the radar is. When they identify the object as a lost airliner, the alert is cancelled. However, there is an error somewhere along the line that actually transmits the "go code" to one group of bombers. At the same time, the Russians are using radio jamming which cuts the bombers off from any communication, including those communications from SAC.

The President of the United States and SAC then try every possible method they can to bring the bombers down, including attempting to shoot them down. When this doesn't work, they enlist the help of the Russians in order to stop the bombers. At first, both sides are reluctant, but then they realize the severity of the situation. When the bomber succeeds in its mission, the President has a choice to make; either face an all out nuclear war, or order the unthinkable.

I am not going to give away the end to this one. I feel the shock of the movie lies in its end. The first time I watched this, it shocked me so greatly that I ended up having to watch two really mindless, funny comedies in order just to get sleep that night. The movie is very well done, and the acting is impeccable. If I were to relate it to other movies in this regard, it would be right up there with 12 Angry Men and Hunt For Red October. Fail-Safe is one of those movies that will stick with you after you watch it, and  you will find yourself thinking about it well after you have seen it. This is one of those "what-if" movies that really hit hard during the Cold War. It showed the people who watched it that it only takes a few little things to go wrong to annihilate the world. This movie is shocking, and don't expect it to get any less shocking the more you watch it; I probably saw it for the 8th time while working on this review and I still got goosebumps at the very end.

I feel it only natural to rate these movies with a Cold War style rating system, so I am going to adapt the DEFCON system to movie reviews. With 1 being the most severe (and for my intentions best) and with 5 being the least severe (therefore the worst) I will rate each movie.

Fail-Safe: DEFCON 1

-great acting
-suspenseful story
-great relay value
-scary as heck!

Signs, Signs, Everywhere....

I am going to spend a little time today talking about the symbols of the Cold War; always in the background and working their way into your subconscious.

The threat of total annihilation hung heavy over the world during the Cold War. You could read about it in the paper, listen to radio shows about it and watch shows devoted to it on the TV, in school and in the theaters.  Some of the most effective messages during the Cold War were not the verbal or written messages, but the symbols that were used by the government to convey the danger of the situation. These symbols spoke volumes without having to use many words, and they were instantly recognizable during a time when seconds counted.

The fallout shelter sign is probably the most recognizable symbol of the Cold War. Many people see this sign today and think "radiation", but in reality this sign symbolized protection from fallout. These could be seen in numerous public and private buildings. People would pay attention to these signs, especially when the threat of attack was at a high level. In a nuclear situation, if the people could not make it home safely, they were supposed to find the nearest shelter and wait out the initial attack and radiation period.

The next most recognizable symbol is the Civil Defense symbol. This symbol is not from the Cold War, rather it has its origins in WWII, but it was adopted by the Civil Defense during the Cold War, and it came to symbolize the efforts of the nation the be prepared if the worst happened. It was important to prepare people for the worst, so that when it happened complete anarchy would not take over.

The evacuation routes were a series of roads that were meant to carry people out of the larger cities and into the safer rural areas. These signs were to be obeyed during an evacuation, and whether they would have worked or not is still hotly debated. Some of the old routes have been used to evacuate cities in the path of a hurricane and the success rates have varied.

And last, but not least, we have Bert the Turtle. Bert is my favorite, so he will be showing up a lot. But this time, Bert represents all of the cartoons that were made for school children during this period. Characters like Bert came to represent the lessons the school children learned regarding civil defense during the Cold War. Think of some of the most vivid memories you have from when you were a child. How many of you can sing your favorite cartoon's song, or list some phrases said by your favorite cartoon character? While the adults could easily tune out the messages related to civil defense, the children could more readily absorb the messages taught by these films.

There are many more symbols used during the Cold War in order to convey the danger of the time. These subconscious symbols were constant reminders of the dangers we faced, and the steps we could take to prepare for the worst.

Cold War Biographies

Hello faithful readers! First, I have to apologize for a lapse in blog posts. Not only am I the Social Media Manager for the Cold War Museum, I am a graduate student in Museum Studies and Nonprofit Management and it was the end of the semester. I was swamped with three papers and a couple of tests.

Now that I have some time to breathe, I would like to begin with a new style of post called "Cold War Biographies." This isn't a biography in a traditional sense. Biographies tend to be about super famous people, like Nikita Khrushchev or Ronald Reagan. However, there are a lot of interesting stories waiting to be told, stories about Cold Warriors, scholars of the Cold War, Civil Defense enthusiasts and those with loved ones that were involved in the Cold War. While not as famous as four-star generals, fighter pilots or spies, the people I wish to showcase have stories to add to the history of the Cold War. These are people I think we should know a little more about, and I hope you enjoy this new weekly segment. This will be on top of the regular post, which will now be moved to Wednesdays. Also on Fridays there will be another special post which reviews films and shows related to the Cold War. That is three posts a week, so make sure you check back often!

I thought the best person to start with would be someone very close to home, someone who you hear from every week. Even though this person is 30 years old, she has a very strong interest in the Cold War and has become an expert in Civilian Civil Defense. The person for the week is yours truly:

"That's me in 1944... Well, historically reenacting a USO dance from 1944."

I decided to start with myself because I think you all should know who is writing these blogs and posting all the interesting stuff for you. The question I get asked the most is how someone so young (I always chuckle a little at this because I am 30 so I don't see myself as young anymore) can know anything about the Cold War. Well, I will tell you my story from the beginning to the present, and hopefully I can explain the madness a little.

Way back in 1992 I was attending a Catholic school. Catholic schools are notoriously slow to change their habits, so we actually participated in a duck and cover drill at the Principal's insistence. Even though I was in third grade, I was keenly aware that this drill was different. For the first time in my memory, we knelt under our desks with our hands over our head. For tornado drills, we would sit facing the wall in the hallway, and this was definitely not the case that day.

I imagine we looked something like this.

This odd drill stuck with me, and I would think about it every now and again. It wasn't until my sophomore year of high school that it clicked what had happened. I realized that I had participated in a duck and cover drill. I went to the library and found an old civil defense book in the collection. It had sadly sat on the shelf for about 20 years until I checked it out, but when I checked it out I was hooked! I began to learn everything I could about the Cold War. The civilian side of things fascinated me. When I had checked everything out of the library about a hundred times, I began to look for online resources. About this time a little Internet start-up called Amazon.com popped up in my search results one day. This store had every book that I could ever need on the Cold War. And I had a credit card. It was on!

The first book I acquired was Barry Popkess' Nuclear Survival Handbook. When I was little, I would see stuff about the arms race on TV and ask my mom about it. "What would happen if there was a nuclear war?" I can clearly remember my mom saying "we will stand in the middle of the street and wait for it to happen." Well, this was my quest to find out what "it" was. Let's just say when I found out what "it" entailed and how close to "it" we had come I had my first panic attack. (And I knew I would not be standing out in the street.) When I came back to my senses, I realized by asking my parents about their times during the Cold War, they could only remember bits and pieces about their entire lifetime spent under this dark cloud. I asked around, and I found the same thing was true from many people. The Cold War, which had been so prevalent in people's lives, was slowly slipping from memory.

As a student of history, I knew this special time in history had to be preserved for future generations. This is where the collecting came in. Shortly after I began college, there was another little start-up called eBay that came across my radar. I checked it out one day and typed in Civil Defense. Handel's "Hallelujah" started to play in my head! I could now acquire the very things I read about without trolling rummage sales and flea markets and endlessly coming up empty handed. I spent hours every week going over the materials, and then purchasing those that I felt had the most historical importance. I would purchase things and store them, look at them and love them. They became little treasures to me, and they taught me so much.

This collecting continued for about 10 years, and I purchased a lot each month. No matter where I moved, it was only a matter of weeks before my postman knew my by name. (Especially the nice older gentleman who lugged a boxed-up sanitation kit up the stairs for me. That thing was huge and that man was a saint!) During this time I had worked for several museums, but hadn't really considered it a career option at that point. I was still in school and after school I decided to try the corporate America route. (I failed miserably at the cubicle lifestyle.) I still actively volunteered for my local museum, and one day I was asked to volunteer for the museum's collector's day. I was amazed at all of the collections on display. There were banana stickers, dolls, china, and photographs. I remember volunteering for 6 hours that day wishing I had a collection to talk about and show...

"Oh right!"

So the next year I showed my collection at the show and people were really interested in it! I talked nonstop for the entire day. People would come by and say "I remember this!" and "I had one of these!" The best question I received was "What was the Cold War?" I answered this question for everyone who asked me. I knew my goal for the rest of my life would be to educate people about the Cold War, and specifically the most forgotten part, Civilian Civil Defense.

After failing miserably at corporate America, I was searching for fulfilment in my life. I asked my boyfriend (fiance as of this writing and husband in less than 90 days) what should I do with my life? He paused his video game and answered, "you have been working in museums for 10 years. Do that." He casually went back to playing his video game and I could have punched him. Not because he answered a question that had been plaguing me since I graduated from undergrad, but because it was so obvious. That day I applied for graduate school and the Museum Studies Program and Nonprofit Management Program. I got in, and everything changed.

(My fiance has been super supportive of me and my goal of teaching people about the Cold War, and getting into the museum industry. Not only did he tolerate my collections, he is going to let me build an authentic fallout shelter in our basement to store my shelter collection. What a gem! If it wasn't for him, none of this would have been possible. I have to take this opportunity to thank him for everything he has done!)

This is how I came to work for the Cold War Museum. I entered the program, and my professor told me about the Cold War Museum. It had never occurred to me to look for a Cold War Museum. I emailed them asking if I could be of any assistance and they got back to me almost immediately. I began to do some research on various topics for them, and I had the amazing opportunity to travel to Virginia (16 hours away by car. I don't fly!) and experience the Cold War Museum for myself. I was so impressed with the museum that I knew I would love to work for them for a very long time. Their mission meshed with my personal mission and we couldn't be a better fit together. I started out as a mere volunteer, but then the opportunity to become the Social Media Manager arose. I now had a title! But more importantly, I now have the opportunity to share my knowledge of the Cold War and Civilian Civil Defense with hundreds (and possibly thousands, who knows?) people.

I remember the flutter of panic when I sent out my first tweet, and the pride I felt when I launched this blog. I love what I do and I love teaching you every week. I hope, in my own little way, I can teach people about the importance of the Cold War and how it influences us even until this day. I must also humbly thank everyone out there who takes the time to read this blog. I hope this information I have shared with you in this first biography gives you a better insight into who I am, where I come from, and why a 30 year old knows so much about the Cold War!

A Turtle, a Monkey and National Defense

What does a monkey and a turtle have to do with national defense? Here is a hint:

Bert the Turtle and the infamous Monkey

For many, "Duck and Cover" was one of the most memorable Civil Defense movies from the Cold War era. These movies were created in order to educate the public about what to do in the event of a nuclear war. Often, the films had catchphrases, songs and pictures that were meant to stay stuck in people's memories. (I challenge you to watch Duck and Cover without humming the tune afterwards!) Other movies were created to shock and scare viewers, keeping the reality of nuclear war close in their minds. 

The subjects of these films ranged from ducking and covering, what to do if the bomb falls, how to survive fallout and what to expect after the bomb drops. The Civil Defense Administration not only wanted to teach people how to survive, but they also wanted to educate people about the science of the Cold War. A is For Atom discusses what an atom is, what nuclear energy is and how it can be used not just for bombs but other things as well. The Atom and Biological Science discusses the effects of radiation on the body and some potential practical applications.

Many of these films were geared towards school aged children. The aforementioned "Duck and Cover" is probably one of the most famous videos for elementary children. Ducking and covering was a drill that was widely practiced in schools from the 1950's until the 1970's. (And of course the one chance drill I had in 1988 due to my Catholic school being slow to change their routine.) Atomic Alert was an elementary film that had a dual purpose. Atomic Alert and many other films not only informed children about Civil Defense Procedures, but they also tried to educate children about the science behind nuclear reactions and fallout. Children (and adults) who were educated were less likely to panic in a real life situation, and panic can cause unnecessary deaths.

This isn't to say that all of these films were meant to inform and educate; some were just out to scare you! A Day Called X shows what would take place during a massive evacuation. What is scary about this film is that you do not know what happens to the town at the end. The House in the Middle shows graphic examples of what would happen should the bomb blast hit your house. Atomic Attack follows a family just outside of New York City and their struggle to survive a nuclear attack.

Perhaps the most sobering of all of the atomic destruction films is "The Day After" from 1983. I have vague recollections of my parents watching this movie and my mom crying. I remember watching this movie my junior year of high school for a literature class right before spring break and it was the worst spring break ever... I literally had nightmares every night for four days, and during the day all I could think about was"what if?" This link takes you to a video of the attack sequence from "The Day After." It is still the most terrifying, sobering movie I have ever seen regarding nuclear destruction. Having studied human nature, nuclear war and the effects of fallout, I can assure you this is what would happen! Ronald Reagan watched the film and it affected him enough to write about it in his journal and changed his mind about nuclear war and its effects. I have to reference this film a lot when people try to tell me that the threat of nuclear war wasn't as bad as it seemed.

From cute little cartoons to terrifying real footage, these films can give us a better glimpse into the reality of the atomic threat during the Cold War. How many of these films do you remember? How many of you are still singing "there was a turtle by the name of Bert..." in your head?

The U2 Incident

May 1st marks an important event in Cold War, the downing of an American U2 spy plane. This incident put a strain on the relations between the US and the Soviet Union. Gary Roberson writes:

"Shot down by a Soviet surface to air missile on the morning of May 1, 1960, CIA pilot Francis Gary Powers had been on a top secret mission: to over fly and photograph denied territory from his U2 spy plane deep inside Russia. His fate and that of the entire U2 program remained a mystery for days. The story of the U2 incident; its prologue and aftermath reveals one of the most fascinating and compelling stories of the cold war.

Anxious to avoid a surprise nuclear attack, President Eisenhower was growing increasingly nervous over rapid Soviet technological achievements. By 1954, the Soviets had demonstrated a thermonuclear bomb as well as the means to deliver it with their long-range jet-powered Bison bomber. Could a Soviet ICBM be far behind?

Urged on by his Technological Capabilities Panel, Eisenhower could not wait another five or six years for the advent of photographic spy satellites to settle the “bomber gap” and other national security issues. He needed answers about Soviet intentions and technological capabilities right now. Moreover, since, typical intelligence tradecraft was ineffective against the communist bloc, and no other means were readily available, a high-flying reconnaissance plane was Eisenhower’s only hope.

In late 1954, Eisenhower approved project AQUATONE; a plan for the CIA to develop and deploy a long-rage spy plane capable of flying, with the President’s personal approval, beyond the reach of Soviet interceptors and surface to air defenses. Fortunately, development of a plane ideally suited for the task was already well under way. While an obvious choice for the CIA’s clandestine mission, the Lockheed CL-282, designed by Clarence ’Kelly’ Johnson was originally rejected by the air force as a reconnaissance platform due to its lack of armament, traditional landing gear and maneuverability. Johnson’s design, essentially a jet-powered glider, utilized a single engine and could carry its civilian pilot and camera in excess of 70,000 feet unarmed, unmarked and, so it was hoped, undetected by Soviet air defense radars.

Work on the aircraft began in secret at Lockheed’s Skunk Works almost immediately and without a signed contract. A CIA check arrived at Johnson’s Santa Barbara home sometime after an official contract for 20 airframes - minus engines was signed. Final performance design specifications would allow the U-2 to sustain 2.5gs with a maximum speed of Mach 0.8 or 460 knots at a service altitude of 70,600 feet with an absolute maximum altitude of 73,000 carrying a payload of 450 lbs.

In the early summer of 1955, Lockheed chose deserted Groom Lake (later known as Area 51) in Southern Nevada as the U2 flight testing site. The dry lakebed at Groom proved ideal. Bordered by the Emigrant Valley’s mountain range and Nevada Test Site, it was protected from prying eyes and interference. Lockheed constructed a makeshift base at Groom consisting of little more than a few shelters, workshops and trailer homes in which to house its small team. The first U2 flew at Groom on August 4th, 1955, a mere 8 months after contract approval, on time and under budget. U2s under CIA control began over flights of Soviet territory in July, 1956."

The U2 incident was one of the many near disasters that the US and the Soviets faced during the Cold War. The fear of nuclear war caused both countries to develop spying technology, and the U2 plane was one of the most advanced aircraft of the time. When the plane went down, many people held their breath... Thankfully, like many of these perilous situations, the Soviets and the United States were able to avert disaster.

Many of our readers out there remember this incident, and I invite you to add to the narrative. What do you remember? What are your thoughts?

A Tenuous Relationship

The theme for this week is relations, and as most of you know, relations were a big part of the Cold War. Sometimes relations were good with the Soviets and sometimes they were bad. Our artifact of the week is a helmet from Francis Gary Powers, and it helps represent the ups and downs of the US-Soviet relations. The U2 incident represented a low point for both countries. While Us and the Soviets knew there were spying operations going on, this was a tangible confirmation that really did not help the situation between the countries.

Helmet worn by Francis Gary Powers

Since the beginning of the Cold War, it had always been the US versus the Soviets, and capitalism versus communism. This was not merely a division between the US and the Soviets; other countries were often forced to pick a side. (Or a side forced the country to adopt its ideology.) You could not have had two more opposite ideologies than capitalism and communism, so there was already built in tension between the two. There was a real fear of invasion; not necessarily physical invasion, but the invasion by the opposing ideology.

The fear could be seen everywhere in the US and the Soviet Union. Popular fiction of the time had the opposing country as the enemy of the story. Television and movies had the "good" guys fighting the "bad" guys. Both nations were paranoid that spies were infiltrating the most top secret projects, and many were imprisoned or killed over accusations of being spies.

It wasn't all bad, though! Sometimes, relations between the two countries were surprisingly good. Some say Khrushchev's visit to America was a high point in relations. There was also the time that Andropov answered a letter from a concerned young girl in America. The US and the Soviets, once bitter space race opponents, were able to collaborate on the Apollo-Soyuz mission in 1975.

The US and the Soviets were engaged in a tug-of-war for the entirety of the Cold War. The relationship between the two nations was one of complete hatered and reluctant respect. Relations between the two hit awesome highs and ridiculous lows. All of these elements contribute to one amazing story that was the Cold War. To explore this story, please visit the Cold War Museum. If you have a story to share, please leave it in the comment section. We would love to know your take on the relations between these two great nations during the Cold War!