Military Memories
By David N.
In this gallery you will see a variety of artifacts that have to do with the military. You can see some uniforms, photos of our veteran ancestors, a foot locker and even a sword!
Some of our ancestors were in the army during WWII, others fought in the conflict in Viet Nam. We appreciate all the veterans who served in the US military. It is not an easy thing to do; in fact it is the most unselfish thing a person can do. A military person declares that he is going to defend his country and the men and women in it. The United States of America makes sure to honor and take care of anyone who serves. It shows that we care for them and cannot thank them enough.
Medals
Canada
Phillip and Sharen Thorley
These medals were given to my Grandma. They are important because of the fact that my Grandma felt she must give her time to serve her country.
The fact that a Jewish woman served her country during war time wasn’t a common thing back, then especially not for Jewish women.
Sword
Spain
Steven S.
This sword was made in Spain and used by the military patrol in the United States as a weapon. The fact that we still have the photo of our great great great grandfather Adolph T, in his his uniform and still have the sword that has passed through the generations is unique. We know he also was a barber. He had four children; one was my great great great grandfather, Gerald T. The true history of the sword has been told by generation to generation in my family. Now it's my turn to tell the story. Knowing that we had a relative who defended our country in WWI so long ago is very interesting and something our family is very proud of.
We are proud of the times when we defended our country as proud Jews. We are glad to be Jews living in this country.
Navy Uniform
USA
Joe K
The uniform was given to my uncle when my great grandfather passed away. He wore the uniform when he fought in WWII. It was the one thing my great grandfather saved from when he fought in the war. This uniform is important to my family because it is a symbol of the love and bravery that my great grandpa Lou had for his country.
This navy uniform signifies the Jewish presence during WWII. He was one of just a few Syrian men to fight for his country. He was proud to be in the Navy and the uniform is a symbol of his commitment to his country.
Photo of my Grandpa in WW ll
USA
Ike N, my dad
When my great grandpa, went to the army he came back different. A few things were strange first, he never drove a car, and second, he never told stories about how it was. It was a mystery. We are lucky to have the picture. If it gets lost we would all be devastated.
We know that there were Jewish soldiers in the American army during World War II. During this time the Jewish people in many European countries were experiencing the horrors of the Holocaust.
Army Jacket
North Carolina, America
Joseph. H
My grandpa's army jacket was made in 1970. He got drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. He joined the National Guard to get out of the war. His army camp was Fort Bragg, North Carolina. There he went for basic training for 6 weeks. He learned how to shoot, run, jump, and fight. He also learned how to march, salute, and how a soldier should act. He also learned to respect everyone who had a higher rank than him. After his military training, he went to Aberdine, Maryland, another fort. There he stayed for 6 months. He learned how to be a mechanic. He fixed jeeps, tanks, and learned how to break a engine apart and put it back together. In total my grandpa spent 6 months and 6 weeks straight in the army, then he went once a month on every weekend for 5 years. He also went to the army for 2 weeks in the summer.
In the army my grandfather was the only Jew in his platoon to keep kosher (there was 4 Jews in his platoon. For breakfast he had white bread with 6 packets of butter and one bowl of chocolate milk. Then for lunch he had salad and a piece of bread and 2 bowls of chocolate milk. He had the same thing for dinner. He lost 30 pounds in 30 days. They thought he was sick so they wouldn't let him leave the base.
Victory Bulletin Newspaper
Miami
Great Grandpa Ralph
My Grandpa was in the Army and his family hadn't heard from him so they did not know if my grandfather was alive. When they looked at the Victory Bulletin they saw that he was still alive and that he was living a happy life.
Since World War II was going on at the same time as the Holocaust, Jewish people who escaped the the Holocaust may not have been saved if we didn't win the war.
Foot Locker
U.S. Army
Ralph Z.
This foot locker that I'm bringing in is my great grandfather's from the Army. He used this foot locker while in the Army to hold his personal belongings from family.
It's significant to Jewish heritage because it wasn't just from my great grandfather’s, it was used during the time of World War II, when the war was going on.
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