This year, in what is already a longstanding tradition here at the Intermountain Jewish News, we feature the names of those Jewish veterans from Colorado who have passed away.
We do this in respect and honor of the sacrifices they made on behalf of their country, whether that sacrifice came in the form of physical wounds, psychic wounds (less visible but no less daunting) or their very lives.
We do this regardless of whether they served in the Army, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, the Marines or the Navy, and regardless of which war or conflict, or which era of peace, saw that service.
We do it because they deserve our recognition.
Some of the individuals whose names appear on that list were fortunate enough to have received the grateful thanks of the country they helped defend.
Those of the Greatest Generation the Second World War were regarded rightfully as heroes for having saved the world from the madness and evil of fascism.
Those of other wars most notably Korea and Vietnam were often not treated so kindly, for the wars they fought in became unpopular and the nation that spurred them seemed desirous of quickly forgetting them.
Thankfully, those who have fought more recently in the Persian Gulf, and still fight today in Iraq and Afghanistan, have received more respect from Americans.
But all of these veterans, regardless of when and where they served, are true comrades. All of them interrupted their lives, left their loved ones behind, underwent challenging training, to don the uniforms of the Armed Forces.
Many of them took up arms and faced Americas enemies on distant battlefields, placing themselves in harms way. Of these, many never returned, having given the ultimate sacrifice.
Memorial Day is for them.
And Memorial Day is for us.
Although this holiday has evolved into a celebration of summers beginning and thats fine, as far as it goes we urge you to remember its original purpose. Take a glance, however briefly, at the list of names in this weeks paper, illustrated by the image of soldiers from wars long past and still underway.
See if you recognize any names on that list. If you do, then offer thanks to them personally, from your heart. If you dont, then thank them all as a group.
They are comrades, after all, and each and every one of them deserves your thoughts.
Not every eligible individual who served their country is represented on that ever-growing list. There are many names that predate our custom of gathering them, or predate the newspaper itself. There are others that have simply escaped our notice, and we would like readers to let us know, so that they can join the ranks of their brothers and sisters in arms.
For a copy of the IJN’s May 22 edition, including the list of Jewish veterans from Colorado, contact Carol Coen.
