JWV member Jerry Silverman (z”l) returns a snappy salute from an unnamed patient at the Dallas VA Medical Center, ca. 2019. Credit: Retired Air Force photojournalist MSgt Patrick Nugent

By Steve Krant, US Air Force (Retired), Commander of Jewish War Veterans Department of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana & Oklahoma (TALO)

As this turbulent year winds down, ‘tis the season to look past the frenzied  gift-giving commercials and turn instead to family, friends and community.

The winter holiday season is always interesting – sometimes a challenge – as Jewish service men and women transfer from base to base during their careers.
It often involves explaining Hannukah to well-meaning friends and colleagues: Why it’s absolutely not the Jewish Christmas; why some children get eight nights of gifts; why that blended family down the street has a tree beside their menorah, and so on.

Curiosity about Jews was mostly genuine and good natured. Many in the military, especially during the draft-era Vietnam build-up, had heard of, but never actually known a Jew… an exotic, but rarely encountered ingredient in the military’s vast melting-pot. Offers to cover a holiday duty shift and similar acts of kindness went a long way toward bridging those religious and cultural divides.

After military service, members of the Jewish War Veterans (JWV) continue those holiday mitzvot traditions at VA hospitals, retirement homes and other veteran-focused events around the country. This happy coming together season can be especially depressing and lonely for a hospitalized veteran with no family nearby, made even worse by short holiday staffing. JWV members near a VA hospital often spread cheer and small gifts on Christmas morning, rewarded by genuine appreciation for the visit and encouraging words from a fellow vet.

Veterans are also mindful of Hannukah’s historical significance beyond latkes, dreidels and the miracle of oil. It recalls a military victory of traditional Jewish beliefs over a numerically superior Syrian-Greek force intent on imposing their culture on the Judean people. As the wheel of history turns, parallels to today’s resurgence of antisemitism, fascism and repression are inescapable.

Speaking of history, the Jewish War Veterans will celebrate the 130th anniversary of its 1896 founding in New York City next March 15th. It was formed by Civil War veterans in response to widespread antisemitic claims that Jews profited from, but evaded service in the conflict. That despite ample evidence to the contrary on both sides of the Mason-Dixon divide. In fact, five Jewish soldiers of the Union Army earned the newly created Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award for heroism in battle. To date, 19 Jews have received the Medal, many posthumously, in subsequent wars.

Yes, ‘tis the season to share the holiday spirit with friends and family. And please thank a veteran for their service to preserve our democracy and the freedoms we so cherish.