This week Memorial Day was observed nationally, and during this period once again the Jewish War Veterans of the USA held its annual solemn tribute to the men and women within our local Jewish community who have served their nation in the U.S. armed forces, and a special salute to the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives on the fields of battle. Also honored are those who came through the battles seemingly unscathed, as well as those who suffered physical, psychological and emotional wounds, including the many disabled American veterans in V.A. hospitals here and around the state and nation.

This Memorial Day week has an added dimension of solemnity because our nation is once again at war, in Afghanistan and in Iraq. In Iraq, our brave U.S. Armed Forces have already suffered 3,400 killed and over 25,000 wounded, many of them very seriously. The war in Iraq has already lasted longer than World War II, where over 250,000 American service people were killed on the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific.

At this time of year, our emotions are understandably conflicted as the casualties from the current war in Iraq continue to mount, while at the same time each day more than 1,000 veterans of World War II, described by Tom Brokaw as our “Greatest Generation,” are taken from our midst. Each day the solemn notes of Taps and the folding of American flags punctuate the funerals of those killed in the current war, as well as those who die of infirmities from previous wars.

The spring months of April and May are marked by numerous anniversaries that recall the bravery of all American Armed Forces personnel — Jews and non-Jews, men and women of all faiths, creeds, races and national origins. May 8 marked the anniversary of VE Day, 1945, the total victory by the United States and its Allies over the most brutal regime in world history, Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, whose twisted, hateful ideology plunged the world into the bloodiest war in history, a war which cost the lives of 50 million people, including the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust and the hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians killed in the carnage. On April 30, the 32nd anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War was observed, a conflict which differs in many ways from World War II, but which is increasingly being compared to the seemingly endless war in Iraq.

Jews have fought bravely in all of the wars of the United States. The St. Louis Jewish Light is honored once again to publish the complete list of all known local Jewish service people who lost their lives in wars for which the JWV has complete records — World War I through the Vietnam War.

The list can be seen on page 19.

Jews also gave their lives in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish American War and the Civil War.

Jews have been among those awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military commendation for bravery and valor.

On this Memorial Day week, let us show our appreciation and respect to all veterans, Jewish and non-Jewish, living and dead, who put their lives on the line to preserve and protect our precious democracy and American way of life.

May the memories of all who fell in battle be a blessing from generation to generation!