Military Memories
By Cheryl S, Erica S, Elaine S.
The theme of this gallery is Military Memories. Each of the artifacts has to do with our ancestors' experiences in the army. In this gallery you will see an army uniform from WWII and dog tags used in Viet Nam. There are army hats worn by great grandparents of Erica and Elaine. There is a purple heart medal given to Danny's great grandfather when he got wounded in WWII. You will also see the medals earned by Martin's grandfather when he was in the Israeli army. All these artifacts remind us that our ancestors were brave enough to join the military and to fight for their countries.
Purple Heart
Earned in France
Grandma Rachel C.
My Great Grandpa Ezra C. fought in the army during World War II. He was very patriotic and proud to serve his country. During the War my Great Grandpa was shot. The bullet went across his back and through his arm. Since he was wounded he was awarded with a Purple Heart. This was given to soldiers who were wounded in the war trying to protect their country.
My Great Grandpa Ezra fought against Fascism, the political party who was trying to destroy the Jewish people. After he was wounded, the army told him to go home. He said "No, I don't want to let my friends down while they are still fighting," so he stayed and continued to fight. The other soldiers said, "We never thought we'd see a Jew come back to fight if he was allowed to leave." He was able to prove to people who didn't understand that Jews are loyal and good people.
Army Hat
USA
Abe Serouya
The significance of this artifact is that my Great Grandpa Charles S. was wearing the army hat the first time he ever saw my Grandpa Abe S. The army hat shows my Great Grandpa was patriotic and gave his service to his country.
When my Great Grandpa Charles went to war he kept all our Jewish traditions and he was still able to be religious. On Succot, he even made a Succah on the air field. He was committed to his religion.
Army Dog Tags
United States
Jeffrey E.
These dog tags belonged to my Great Uncle Larry. My great uncle got it when he was in the army and fought in the Viet Nam War. My great Uncle Larry died in 1998 without many possessions but he was very proud. It means a lot to me that my dad gave these dog tags to me.
I found it interesting that it said "A Jew" on the dog tag. Before he passed away he gave it to my father. An Army Dog Tag is something you get when you go into the army, and it is used for identification.
Soldier's hat
United States of America
My father, Darrin S.
My artifact is a soldier's hat that belonged to my grandpa. My grandpa, Irving S, gave it to my dad. My grandpa received it in New York in 1942. My Grandpa served in World War II and worked in the office.
My Grandpa was one of the Jewish soldiers who joined the US army during WWII.
Army Jacket
New Guinea, Asia
Cheryl D.
This army jacket was given to my grandmother, Cheryl by her father, Julius K. My Great Grandfather was in the U.S Army during World War II, and after the war was over he gave this Army Jacket to my Grandmother. It is a very important thing for my family because it reminds us that my Great grandfather fought for our country.
This Army Jacket was from the United States Army when my Great grandfather fought for the prisoners in the Holocaust. The Holocaust was when the Germans enslaved most of the Jewish and other people in Germany and other countries. My great grandfather was fighting the Japanese all over the South Pacific, and helped preserve Jewish history and saved lots of people, Jewish or not.
War Medals and Certificate
Israel
Grandfather Sam Z.
These medals were given to my grandfather to show his heroism when he was in the Israeli army. He was a tank commander and was in the Israeli army for three and a half years.
He fought in the Six Day War in the Israeli army.