Jewish War Veterans honor the departed

Memorial day 2015 was May 25. Traditionally that would have meant that the Jewish War Veterans would have held their annual memorial service on May 24. This year would be different. The first day of Shavuot was the same day, so the observance was held on May 31. The change in date did not diminish the event.

Approximately 200 people came to Lincoln Park Cemetery to take part in the ceremony. The chairman of the event was the Hon. Sanford H. Gorodetsky, department commander. Remarks were offered by several dignitaries, and the principal speaker was Captain Howard Goldman, commander, Naval Undersea Warfare Center Newport. A solemn event, 57 names of veterans who died in the past year were added to the memorial wall. The Rhode Island National Guard provided military honors under the direction of Brigadier General Charles E. Petrarca Jr., and religious observances were led by Rabbi Richard Perlman and Cantor Remmie Brown.

IRA JAY FLEISHER is senior vice commander, Jewish War Veterans, Dept. of Rhode Island. For information about membership in Jewish War Veterans, please contact him at ijinri@aol.com.