Today is Veterans' Day, November 11th. This holiday was originally established as Armistice Day, and marked the end of World War I, which took place at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of the year. In 1954, Congress changed the name to Veterans' Day to honor veterans of all wars. While we, as Jewish Americans, are proud of our veterans who have secured and maintained our freedom, we don't necessarily make the connection between Jews and the military. Yet our entire history is replete with stories of Jews who have served honorably in military service. Our own Torah is filled with stories of Moses and the Israelites doing courageous battle. One of my favorite images is that of Moses directing the forces by keeping his arms lifted up high. As long as his arms and hands were raised, the forces were victorious. Once he put them down, they experienced defeat. The aged Moses was then helped to keep his arms up as his men became victorious. And of course the courage and bravery of our current Israeli Defense Force fills us with pride.
But Jewish Americans have a long history of military service since the founding of our country. However, I am especially proud of Jewish service in modern times. During World War II, over 550,000 Jewish men and women served in the armed Forces of the United States. About 11,000 were killed and over 40,000 were wounded. There were two recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor, 157 received the Distinguished Service Medal and Crosses, 1,600 were awarded the Silver Star and 52,000 were given decorations, citations or awards. During WWII, Jews made up 3.3% of the US population, but 41/4 % of the Armed Forces. 60% of all Jewish physicians under the age of 45 served in the military during WWII.
Jews served equally proudly during the Korean War and Vietnam Wars. Two examples of Jewish heroism during the Korean War were Major Melvin Garten and Major Joseph Gurfein, both heroes of WWII who received the Silver Star Medal in the Korean conflict for risking their lives to save their troops and accomplish their mission.
During the Vietnam War, two Jewish pilots, Cpt. Fred Zedeck and Lt. Ira Goldstein, together flew 275 combat missions. Cpt. Zedeck was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with Ten Oak Leaf Clusters. Lt. Goldstein received the Navy unit Commendation Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross and five air medals. Another notable hero was Marine corporal Roger Briskin from Ardmore, PA. While in a fierce enemy battle he saw one of his men wounded by a mortar attack. He rushed to rescue him, losing his life in the effort.
Jewish men and women have continued to serve their country proudly to this day, giving honor to our community and our nation. Let us then, on this Veterans' Day, remember all in our community as well as all those in our nation who have given of themselves to keep us a free nation.
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