Treasurer Dave Young wants to reunite veterans with their unclaimed military medals

Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young is urging veterans and their families to search for unclaimed military medals, paperwork and other service items.

“Our veterans, service members and their families have sacrificed so much. Helping them find their unclaimed property is one small way we can thank them for their dedicated service to our country,” Young stated. 

“Coming from a military family, it’s extra important to me to get this property back to our service members and veterans,” said Bianca Gardelli, director of the unclaimed property division.

 “Veterans likely have a higher percentage of unclaimed property, since service members tend to move more frequently than civilians and are consequently more likely to have a check mailed to an old address or have money forgotten at an insurance company, utility or bank in a state they have since left.”

The Great Colorado Payback, by Colorado statute, does not sell or destroy military decorations or awards. Military items that are being held for the rightful owners or heirs include:

— Bronze Star Medal, awarded to members of the United States armed forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement or meritorious service in a combat zone.

— Purple Heart Medal, awarded in the name of the president to those wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917, with the U.S. military. It is the oldest military award still given to U.S. military members.

— Medal of Honor, awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.

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