Salute to Military
by Roger A.
Military is one of the most important functions of the government in our country. The military includes the Army, the Navy, the Marines and the Air Force. The people who serve in the military defend our country, risk their lives and also leave their families and this affects everybody who knows them.
In this section you will see actual artifacts that belonged to men who have fought in major wars throughout our nation’s history. The mementos that these great soldiers acquired reflect their bravery, activism and personal accomplishments. Among the artifacts are a photographs of soldiers, an army jacket worn in World War II, a letter from the U.S army, a registration card and dog tags.
World War II Army Jacket
Philadelphia
Fred A
This artifact was issued by the U.S Army to my grandpa, Fred A., during World War II. It is called the Eisenhower jacket. My grandpa used this jacket throughout Europe during the war. It was mostly used for parades and ceremonies but was always carried around by him. He fought in one of the biggest battles of World War II: the invasion of Normandy. He liberated concentration camps where Jewish prisoners where being held. He was face to face with a Nazi, and he was even inspected by General Dwight Eisenhower who would become president about five years later. This jacket was with him when he experienced all of this. It is important to him and our family.
This jacket was with my grandfather when he liberated concentration camps where Jews were being held. He said that when he saw the camps he was devastated and could not understand why any person would do such horrible things to others.
Letter from U.S Army
New York
Leon Sultan
This artifact has significance to my family because it is proof that my great grandfather, Albert S. was in the U.S. Army. I am proud that my great grandfather was in the army because he contributed to our country in a way that not everyone could. He took the chance of risking his life for America.
This artifact also has significance to my Jewish heritage because it shows how even Jewish people were in the army and helped defend our country too.
Registration Card in Army
Kansas City, Missouri
Sally Sultan-Ashkenazi
This certificate was issued to Raymond Sultan, my great grandfather, during World War II. He was going from New York to New Zealand when he enlisted. He was stationed in Australia when he passed the equator and fought the Japanese. Then he was shipped to Guadalcanal, then to Vella Lavella. That is where he got shot in the leg and returned to the U.S. It is very important to my family because it's one of the only things we have to remember him.
Raymond S. was one of many American Jewish soldiers who fought in the United States Army. He represented his family, our country, and the Jewish nation. He fought against the Japanese in World War II.
Dogtags
US Army (Korea)
Morris M. C.
This dog-tag belonged to my grandfather, David M.C., who served in the army during the Korean war. Dog-tags are forms of ID. If one was captured or killed, they are able to be identified by their dog-tags.
On my grandfather's dog-tag, it says his name and his service number on it. It also says the letter "O" was his blood type. On the bottom right of the dog-tag, is the letter "H" or on the other, "J". These letters mean Hebrew or Jewish.
Photograph
N
Meyer E
This is a photograph of my grandfather, Albert E. He lived in Morocco and served in the French Army in the early 1930's. He saw action in Morocco as he defended the French government against the Moroccan nationalists who wanted changes in the French government. Albert came by himself to the United States and he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1934 and was stationed in Ft. Dix, N.J. This photograph was taken when he was in the US Army. When my grandmother passed away, it was given to my father. It will always remind us of how great a man he was.
My grandfather was one of the many patriotic Jewish men who served their country.