President's Remarks
at Jewish War Veteran's Service
May 27, 2001, Ohev Shalom Cemetery
Jack Zigon, President, Congregation Ohev Shalom
(Photos from
the service)
Memorial Day is traditionally a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. It was first widely observed, 133 years ago, on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers.
Thirty years later, in 1898, the Jewish War Veterans were founded. It was formed for a specific purpose -- to combat the slander that Jews did not serve in the same civil war that spawned this same holiday.
Many Jews, of course, did serve in the civil war -- and on both sides. It is estimated that between six and eight thousand Jewish soldiers fought in the Union Army alone, out of total Jewish population in America of less than 150,000. And the truth is that Jewish soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and coastguardsmen, have served with honor in all of our nations conflicts, and that they continue to do so as long as our nation exists.
I didn't know much about the Jewish War Veterans until recently. I've since learned that the Jewish War Veterans is the oldest active National Veteran's service organization in America and it has supported the needs of our nation's veterans and defended causes of importance to Jews throughout the world. It has always vigorously opposed bigotry, anti-Semitism and terrorism in the United States and abroad. And it was the only veterans' service organization to march with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington in 1963. Your members have always been in the forefront of our nation's struggles towards equality for all citizens.
JWV's hospital, rehabilitation and veterans' service programs, and the counseling JWV provides on benefits issues to veterans continue to support American veterans and their families.
In his book, To Life!, Rabbi Harold Kushner says that "Jews are called on to do something for God and the world. We are important, we are empowered. It's our obligation to be a role model for all nations." In your service to our country, you have truly been role models for all Americans -- and for all the world.
Fifty six years ago, 70,000 United States Marines fought in one of the bloodiest and best remembered battles of World War II -- the battle of Iwo Jima. Among them were 1,500 Jewish Marines, and a chaplain, Rabbi Roland B. Gittelsohn, the first Jewish chaplain the Marine Corps ever appointed. During the battle, Rabbi Gittelsohn's efforts to comfort the wounded and encourage the troops won him three service ribbons. When the battle was over, Rabbi Gittelsohn was asked to deliver a memorial sermon at the service to dedicate the Marine Cemetery on the Island. This is part of what he said at the grave sites of some of our greatest heroes:
"Here lie men who loved America because their ancestors, generations ago, helped in her founding. And other men who loved her with equal passion because they themselves or their own fathers escaped from oppression to her blessed shores."
"Here lie officers and men, Negroes and Whites, rich men and poor, together. Here are Protestants, Catholics and Jews together. Here no man prefers another because of his faith or despises him because of his colors. Here are no quotas of how many from each group are admitted or allowed. Among these men there is no discrimination. No prejudices. No hatred. Theirs is the highest and purest democracy."
"Whosoever of us lifts his hand in hate against a brother, or who thinks himself superior to those who happen to be in the minority, makes of this ceremony and the bloody sacrifice it commemorates an empty, hollow mockery."
"To this, then, as our solemn sacred duty, do we, the living, now dedicate our lives: To the right of Protestants, Catholics and Jews, of White men and Negroes alike, to enjoy the democracy for which all of them have here paid the price."
"We solemnly swear this shall not be in vain. Out of this and from the suffering and sorrow of those who mourn, this will come, we promise, the birth of a new freedom for the sons of men everywhere."
Here in this cemetery lie Jews who have given their lives for our freedom. They fought for a country that has given us the greatest level of religious freedom Jews have had in thousands of years. Let us honor their sacrifice. Let us remember what they have given their lives for. Let us go forth and be a light unto the nations living our lives as proud Jews who leave the world a better place than we found it.
And let us say, Amen.