President's Remarks at Jewish War Veterans Service, 2002

MEMORIAL DAY 2002, Jerry Rosset, President, Congregation Ohev Shalom

Thank you....It is unfortunate, but usually when most Americans think about Memorial Day, they merely think of it as the start of summer....the day that beaches and pools first open....a day for family vacations at the shore or back yard barbecues. Forgotten, by most, is the real meaning of Memorial Day....the reason we are here today...to honor and thank those who have served our country in its greatest time of need, and in some cases made the greatest sacrifice in giving their lives in our defense. We must also never forget their families, for they too had to give of themselves in support of their relatives who were on the front lines.

Notice that a few moments ago, I used the word “usually” to describe the type of American reaction to this holiday. That is because I think that attitudes have now changed. The tragedy of 9/11 brought a war to our shores for the first time since the Civil War. Almost all other countries have had the misfortune to suffer the ravages of war on their homefronts. Living with the devastation of war has now become a daily occurrence in Israel. It is only because of your service and sacrifices that my generation has, until this past year, been able to live in such security. I am also, sad to say, convinced that this has also contributed to the failure of many in my generation to recognize what you have done for us. Tom Brokaw really got it right when he described you...the generation that is our parents...as the “Greatest Generation”

I am sorry to say, that like most of my generation, I too, have taken these contributions for granted and even to some degree have forgotten. Until recently I always assumed that Chester Post #134 was founded in response to World War II. However I have since learned that it was actually formed in 1935 by World War I veterans and that the first Memorial Day Service was held 65 years ago in 1938. As time dims our memories it seems we have all but forgotten the “War to End all Wars.” It has been almost 60 years since the end of World War II. If not for “Saving Private Ryan” and “Band of Brothers,” I think my generation would have lost touch with the realities of that war...a war in which more than 300 men and women of this congregation served and in which five members died. The Korean War veterans have had to fight long and hard to finally establish a memorial to that war.

We had forgotten because our relative safety created such a false sense of security. That ended on 9/11 and for the first time my generation and our children know the fear and anxiety that your generation must have faced. As one of my esteemed predecessors once put it...”our country has survived the perils of war....and the poverty of depression...” That was what you did for us and you handed it off to us in pretty good shape. Now, in the aftermath of 9/11 and in the face of constant future threats of terrorism, it is the turn of my generation and our children to stand tall and to take up the battle you all fought so well. I only hope that we can live up to the example that you have set for us....Thank you very much.