National Commander
Nelson Mellitz
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.
Get in touch with National Commander Mellitz at nationalcmdr@jwv.org.
National Vice Commander
Barry Lischinsky
As NVC Lischinsky stated his goals: “My primary goal is to increase membership and to secure partnerships with others to support veterans, servicemembers and their families.” Building on the legacy of Past National Commander Harvey Weiner, “I want to make sure everyone knew that Jews served in the military, and to promote that Jews served honorably, were injured and even died in service, from the Revolutionary War to the present,” said Lischinsky.
Lischinsky has held numerous positions at all levels within the Jewish War Veterans including National Chief of Staff, National Membership Chairman, Department of Massachusetts Commander, and Post Commander.
Lischinsky began his 34-year military career in 1969, retiring as a Colonel in 2004. In 2015 became Deputy Superintendent at the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and one year later was appointed Acting Superintendent by the Governor. Lischinsky retired from State service in March 2017.
