Springfield, MA – Veterans and their families gathered at the Jewish Community Center today to read the names of members of the Jewish War Veterans Freedman Post 26 who have died in the last year.
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“It’s a tradition for us to play Taps and read the names of the dead,” said Stanley R. Light, commander of Freedman Post 26.
Rabbi Fred Hyman of B’Nai Torah served as the guest speaker for the event.
He said he owes his life to the group because his parents met at Jewish War Veterans event in 1960.
“JWV has always been a very important part of my life and my family’s life,” he said.
Light also spoke to the small crowd gathered in the community center’s auditorium.
He thanked the Boy Scouts at Temple Beth El and a youth group at Sinai Temple who helped place flags at several cemeteries throughout the city on the graves of soldiers who have died.
Light said that even though Memorial Day has become more about celebrating a long weekend and spending time with family it is really about honoring the dead.
“Even though we are all looking forward to being with our families and maybe even going on vacations or a picnic don’t forget our loved ones who have passed away, especially our veterans.”
Veterans also placed small flags outside the community center where there is a flag pole that was placed there 60 years ago by the group. There is also a memorial stone which has been there for 20 years.
After all is said and done, if not for the men and women (many of them Jewish) who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending the US from its enemies, we would not have the freedom to have all of the “discussions” and bahoolah on VIN and other blogs.
Despite administrations which come and go, the medinah is STILL a malchus shel chessed, and we should give tribute to those who have fallen in defending it.
Yehi zichrom baruch.