Honoring Veterans 2017 Temple El Emeth, Youngstown, OH
By Rabbi Joseph P. Schonberger
Temple El Emeth members and friends were very pleased to honor 11 veterans at a brunch November 12. We were privileged to recognize veterans in attendance who served in WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Desert Storm, in other wars and conflicts in numerous roles.
All attending were moved by the documentary “True Honor” which presents the stories of ten Jewish Medal of honor recipients. We thank the JWV Museum for allowing us to view the movie. The stories told were truly heart wrenching and pride evoking. Then we were privileged to hear from our own Veterans.
Dr Larry Glass responding to the movie told us that he never experienced anti-Semitism in the military. Rather, he has fond memories of the support he received.
Dr, Bill Gordon spoke about being called up to active duty twice: before he attended dental school and after dental school graduation. Apparently, his commanding officer at Camp Lejeune found his dental services constituted immeasurable, much needed service. For many, he was their first dentist. Dr. Gordon reflected that the worst mouths he had ever seen were there. This is a reminder that medical and support personnel are essential yet often unheralded. Suffice it to say Camp Lejeune did not want their dentist to be reassigned.
Alan Sharapan, expressed gratitude for serving as a guardian for an “Honor Flight” as a gift from his children. Those who were unfamiliar with the program were pleased and surprised to learn about this very special program. He offered to pay it forward by being a guardian to one of our member vets who would like to travel to Washington on an Honor Flight.
Veteran Dr.Sheldon Persky mentioned his brother with pride.
Lieutenant Colonel Donald N. Persky, USMC (Ret.) was honored to be invited to the White House on October 23rd. where retired Army Captain Gary M. Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry during an operation over 47 years ago during the Vietnam war. Rose, an Army medic, repeatedly risked his own life while treating dozens of fellow soldiers over a four day period of intense fighting against a numerically superior hostile force deep in enemy-controlled territory. Persky, then a lieutenant, was the command helicopter pilot that rescued Rose along with 39 other soldiers before being shot down. Persky has been credited with saving the lives of forty soldiers and his crew of five, and was previously awarded the the Silver Star and Purple Heart for gallantry and superb airmanship during that operation.
We were touched by the humility and character of all the veterans.
It was heart wrenching to hear Sam Fine recall his D Day experiences. Looking at him today, those of us who didn’t know him as a young man were extremely impressed that he was one of the brave 82nd Airborne. He talked about flying into enemy lines in a glider with no protection on D Day. It is amazing thinking about what he did and survived. His humble account of what he experienced truly elevated his stature to everyone present. As an aside, we learned that the parachute he landed in was taken by the townspeople and transformed into a wedding gown. When he visited the village at a later date he attended the wedding and was gifted a special scarf that was fashioned from his parachute. He still has that scarf.
All in attendance appreciated being able to hear friends’ stories. We cherish these opportunities when we can share and hear from one another about the encounters that changed and shaped many lives.
Friends, relatives and community members in attendance voiced profound appreciation and respect for our veterans and their service. They underscored that while we give the greatest accolades to those who made the greatest sacrifice we owe a huge debt of gratitude to all who served in any capacity. We definitely need to have more time together. It uplifts us all.
God Bless our Veterans and our Country.
Volume 71. Number 4. Winter 2017
