Attendees at the Jewish War Veterans Day 2023 Flag Raising ceremony salute the flag.
Credit: Steve Krant

By Steve Krant, JWV Post 757

Honor Guard members of Jewish War Veterans of the USA’s Austin Post 757 braved a chilly drizzle and overcast skies to perform their annual Veterans Day flag raising ceremony at the Dell Jewish Community Center. The American flag was slowly raised as the national anthem played in the background. Post Commander Alana Pompa offered a dedication and prayer, punctuated by the mournful sounds of “taps” on the bugle. Former Shalom Austin CEO Jay Rubin shared thoughts about service and community, along with an amusing historical anecdote about the campus flag poles.

There’s more to Veterans Day than flag-themed, pre-Thanksgiving sales. Originally known as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I, “the Great War to end all wars,” in 1918 on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed it the following year to celebrate peace and honor those who served with parades, public gatherings, and a brief suspension of business at 11:00 a.m.

World War II and the Korean Conflict shortly afterward prompted Congress, at the urging of many veteran organizations, JWV included, to substitute the word “Veterans” and designate it a national observance in honor of American servicemen and women from all wars.

JWV has been a Jewish voice for veterans, and a veteran’s voice for Jews since 1896. To learn more visit http://jwv.org.