JWV Elects New National Commander and Vice Commander

The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. (JWV) is pleased to announce it has elected Alan Paley National Commander and Nelson Mellitz National Vice Commander during its 126th National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana on August 19, 2021.

Paley enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1966 and served as a Weapons Specialist on Phantom F-4D fighter aircraft at bases in West Germany, Italy, and Libya. He joined New Jersey JWV Post 651 in 1968 as an in-service member. Following his honorable discharge in 1970 he became active in JWV and rose through the ranks of his post becoming one of the youngest Post Commanders in JWV. In 1979 he was elected Bergen County, New Jersey Council Commander. He relocated to Florida in the early 1980s and later transferred to Florida Post 606, serving as Post Commander from 1996 to 2016. While serving as Post Commander, he was elected Commander of Broward, Palm Beach County Council in 1999. In 2015 he was elected the Commander of the Department of Florida and served in that capacity until 2019. Since 2016 he has been the National Budget Chairman and in 2019 was also appointed as the National Adjutant. In 2020, Alan was elected to the newly created position of National Vice Commander. He is a life member of both JWV and NMAJMH and has over 51 years of continuous service to JWV. In civilian life, Alan is the Chief Financial Officer of Overseas Cargo, Inc., a third-party logistics and warehouse service provider specializing in the handling, storage, and exportation of perishable goods. He has three children and one grandchild.

Mellitz continues an over 80-year family legacy of serving in the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America. Nelson served 32 years in the United States Air Force. He has been based at more than 13 different locations within the U.S. and overseas during five major wars and other combat operations. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1970 as an E-1 and was assigned to a Civil Engineering Unit as a Site Development Specialist. Over the next nine and half years he was promoted to Master Sergeant (E-7). He was awarded a direct commission to 2nd Lieutenant in 1980 and assigned to the Acquisition Career field with a specialty in U.S. Government Contracting. Nelson was promoted to full Colonel in 1998. He has received over 20 military awards and decorations including the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Meritorious Citation. Nelson has held many leadership positions in JWV including National Quartermaster, National Chief of Staff, Commander of Post 126, Council Commander, and Department of NJ Commander, among others. Nelson is Vice President of World Wide Business Operations for Land Sea Air Security, LLC. LSA Security markets proven military defensive equipment. He has been married to Debbie Markowitz Mellitz for 41 years and they have two daughters.

We wish Paley and Mellitz a successful year!

 

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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Jewish Veterans are Coming to New Orleans!

WASHINGTON, DC – The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. (JWV) is proud to announce New Orleans, LA as the site of its 126th Annual National Convention from August 15-20, 2021.  Our convention is where Jewish members of the uniformed services and veterans come together to solve issues within their community.  From fighting anti-Semitism in the military, to speaking with Jewish youth about the merits of military service, JWV is the only place where these important matters are being addressed.

JWV members from across the country will congregate at the Omni Royal Orleans Hotel to participate in several annual business sessions and hear from some great guest speakers.

Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Donald Remy will address the members of JWV and the JWVA (Ladies Auxiliary) during our opening ceremony at 11:30am CDT on Monday.

Our opening session will take place at 4:00pm CDT on Monday, August 16, and will feature the President and CEO of the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation, Marina Jackman.

On Wednesday, at 2:30pm CDT, our members will hear about preventing veteran suicide from Dr. Daniel DeBrule.

The convention will conclude on Thursday, August 19, with a banquet honoring National Commander Jeffrey Sacks, and the installation of the 2021 National Commander, who will be elected during the week.  We want to thank Louisiana for its warm hospitality, and we cannot wait to see you there!

For more information or a complete schedule of events, please contact JWV National Programs and Public Relations Director Cara Rinkoff at (202) 265-6285.

About Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America
Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the oldest active veterans’ organization in America. JWV is dedicated to upholding America’s democratic traditions and fighting bigotry, prejudice, injustice, and discrimination of all kinds. As a national organization, JWV represents the voice of America’s Jewish veterans on issues related to veterans’ benefits, foreign policy, and national security. JWV also commits itself to the assistance of oppressed Jews worldwide.

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Coast Guard Ship Named After Former Post Commander

by Jonathan Goldman

Pharmacist Mate Robert Goldman

On March 12, the U.S. Coast Guard commissioned a ship in honor of former JWV member and Post 45 Commander Robert Goldman. The USCGC Robert Goldman is one of six Sentinel Class Cutters that will be stationed in Bahrain as part of the Coast Guard’s Patrol Forces Southwest Asia.

I attended the commissioning ceremony in Key West, Florida along with my wife Eleanor and sister-in-law Gail Fresia, who were the ship’s sponsors, as well as my brothers Yale and Scott, and my three sons.

The ship’s motto, which appears on its blazon is “Beyond the call of duty.” That is a quote from one of my father’s shipmates and appears in the recommendation for the Bronze Star he received for his actions on November 12, 1944.

I consider my father a hero, but he didn’t like to talk about himself. When asked about his involvement in World War II, he simply said he received injuries when an enemy plane hit his ship. However, thanks to a JWV-sponsored initiative to honor under-recognized minority veterans, we recently learned about my father’s actions, which led to having a ship named after him.

Robert Goldman grew up on a farm in rural Woodstock, Connecticut, and went to a one-room schoolhouse. Because the town was too small to have their own secondary school, high school students were sent to Woodstock Academy, a private high school. Depression times were tough, and in-town students were moved along, so Goldman graduated when he was 16. He thought he’d pluck chickens and pump gas for the rest of his life. A gas station customer, a retired professor, saw that this young man was capable of more. He told Goldman to get into his car and then drove him to the University of Connecticut and helped him register for classes as an agriculture major. Goldman put himself through school by working in the chicken coops. His school was near the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Goldman thought if he ever joined the military, he’d want to wear the Coast Guard uniform.

In October of 1942, Goldman enlisted in the Coast Guard. He received medical training at the Columbia University’s School of Pharmacy to become a pharmacist mate (medical corpsman). In July of 1944, he reported for duty on the United States Coast Guard (USCG) LST-66, headed for the Philippines. The LST (landing ship tank) was a naval workhorse, designed for transporting machinery and men, and able to approach and unload on shallow beachheads.

On November 12, 1944, the LST-66 was at Leyte Island. At 5:00 p.m., a Japanese Zero flew over the horizon and intentionally headed for the LST-66.

Vice Admiral Scott Buschman presents a commemorative plaque to the ship’s sponsor, Eleanor Goldman

Four people were killed and seven were wounded. My father was on deck when the crash occurred. The man standing next to him died instantly. Although he suffered shrapnel wounds and severe burns to his back, my father’s priorities were clear. Despite the flames surrounding him, he jumped into a gun turret to administer morphine to a suffering shipmate. At the same time, he saw leaking aviation fuel and live ammunition near his feet. He was the last on his ship to get medical attention. He refused to even sit down to be examined until all the wounded were treated.

In 2016, Coast Guard historian Dr. William Thiesen began looking into Goldman’s service record. Thiesen’s research ultimately resulted in the ship named after Goldman.

To all those who serve in uniform, especially the officers and crew of the USCGC Robert Goldman, thank you for all you do in protecting our way of life. Your sacrifices do not go unnoticed. I was told that the crew of the Robert Goldman is the finest and most experienced crew, on the most technologically advanced cutter ever built, and I believe it. We will be forever grateful to the Coast Guard for the honor given to my father.

Volume 75. Number 2. 2021

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