Military Memories
by Joey S. and Joey A.
This year the Military Memories gallery has many interesting artifacts. We have two sets of dog tags, a helmet that a pilot wore, photos and an army hat. The military armed forces are really important because they protect our country. A person has to be really brave to serve in the military. Many Jews have fought in wars like World War I, World War II, The Korean War and the Vietnam War. Although America's part in many of these wars had no Jewish connection, many Jews wanted to help defend the USA and its allies. Many men and women have served in our defense for over 237 years, each with a great story to tell.
Handcuffs
U.S.
Marsha F.
These handcuffs belong to my grandfather, Fred F., when he was a police officer in Brooklyn, New York.
These were something my grandfather used for his work. He probably used them everyday when he was a New York City cop.
Photographs of my Great Uncles in the Army.
Brooklyn, New York
Judy S.
This artifact belongs to Judy S's Grandma, Judy S. The great great uncles of Judy S. served in the army. These are pictures of Abe, Charlie, Jack, and Jimmy A. They all served in America in World War II. Her Grandma Judy made this frame not too long ago.
Judy's Great Great Uncle Charles A. was one of 12 Syrian Jewish soldiers who died in World War II. He had to complete 35 missions before he could come home, and he died on the 34th.
Dog tags
United States of America
Pauline D.
During World War II, my grandpa, Victor D., volunteered to join the army with a few Jewish boys in his community. They were each given a dog tag like the artifact I have, to identify them in case something happened to them. On the top, it said their name, their number, their father’s name, their address and their religion. If someone, G-d forbid died, they needed the dog tag to identify them so that they can contact their family. While my grandpa was in Pearl Harbor, he got badly injured. A bomb went off underground and flipped over his army truck. They used his dog tag to identify him. He was given many stitches down his leg, and he had a big scar there. I’m so proud of what my grandpa did for my country.
It shows that the Jews of that time were very assimilated and Americanized. Going to war was very glamorized, and that’s why they volunteered. They thought it would be an adventure. Even though they were in a non-Jewish environment, they stuck together and still returned together to Brooklyn to marry Jewish ladies from their community.
Helmet
USA
Esther K.
My grandpa, Jerry K. wore this helmet during the Vietnam War. He was a pilot and he flew during the war. He was high in rank. He never talked about it; he liked to stay quiet, so I don't really know what happened.
My grandpa, Jerry K. went to special Shabbat meal on Shabbat. He also went to meals on the holidays. The army arranged for religious Jewish soldiers to celebrate their holidays, if it was possible.
Military Dog Tags
USA
Howard L. N.
My grandfather Howard L.N. served and fought for the United States of America. He served as a military police officer in Korea, with pride. His service means a lot to our family; we take pride in having a remarkable grandfather who has the courage of a lion and the kindness of the great grandpa we truly love.
There is a saying that you don't know where you are going until you know where you came from. I think that knowing your past is a good way of knowing where you might be going, because as we all know history repeats itself.
Army Hat
America
Abe S.
This army hat is from World War II and belonged to my great grandpa, Charles A S. It was a part of his uniform. He was stationed in Birmingham, Alabama.
Charles S. was one of the Jewish men who served in the U.S. Army during World War II.