Post 126 General Membership Meetings:

Monday, March 5, 2007 - 7:30PM at Temple Beth Shalom

Our speaker will be Joanne Rosen of Veterans' Hospice Services. She will talk on The Samaritan Jewish Hospice Program. Care with Dignity for Those Who Served With Honor. See the enclosure for more information about this new, important, free program.

Barry Reisman, presenting the "Jewish Radio Revue." Barry is the host of one of the longest running radio programs in the Delaware Valley (43 years). He will present recorded interviews with famous people Jewish and non-Jewish stars, klezmer music, and other Jewish music. This is a social event just for our Post 126 members and their friends. Feel free to bring your spouse, friends, and potential members and eat a Jewish style breakfast while listening to the Jewish Radio Revue.

For example:

No charge – just enjoy the fun. Sunday, April 1 starting at 9:15 AM at Temple Beth Shalom

Monday May 7, – 7:30 PM at Temple Beth Shalom

Presentation by Lions Gate Chief Executive Officer , David Z. Ross, and Chief Operating Officer, Barbara Finkleman. Lions Gate is a South Jersey Independent, Continuing Care, and Jewish Traditional Community. Lions Gate will be dedicated in April 2007. This is your opportunity to ask questions about this new concept in assisted care for the Jewish elderly which is located in Voorhees. It’s a beautiful facility that is sponsored by the South Jersey Jewish Community.

June 3, Sunday – Installation Breakfast, at the Palace of Asia, Rt. 70 Cherry Hill, (behind the Holiday Inn). (Kosher Style Food). More information about the breakfast will be sent to you soon.

COMMANDER’S CORNER:

This is one of my last columns as your Post 126 Commander and I’m still having fun.

Over the last few months we have received dozens of letters and e-mails from U.S. troops in harm’s way stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere fighting the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). These letters and e-mails are the result of our Post sending cards, letters, and care packages to the many Jewish troops overseas. We will continue this outreach effort by weekly e-mail contacts with deployed Jewish and non-Jewish troops. There is more to come on this important support effort.

If you get the Southern New Jersey "Jewish Voice" you probably read the great page #2 articles about our Post accomplishments since September 2006. – see February 1, 2007 edition. Also, see the Jewish Voice, February 15th edition with a picture of Post members actively participating in the community "Super Sunday." The JWV national magazine "The Jewish Veteran" will have Post 126 mentioned several times. We are being continuously being recognized as an outstanding contributor to veteran and general Jewish community.

I’ve been inspired by the Post 126 executive board and members to do more even when our revenues have been substantially reduced this year. Please join me and actively participate in as many Post functions as possible. Pick and choose what’s right for you and your family: a leadership position, selling poppies, attending the Beverly Cemetery Fallen Comrade Ceremony or the Cherry Hill Memorial Day Ceremony, maybe just attending the April 1 fun day listening to the Barry Reisman -"Jewish Radio Revue." I recommend that you attend the activity which is the fun. Invite your family or friends to attend with you and make it a family fun outing.

Lastly, Purim is early in March this year. I remember this holiday as the best loved one for my family. My children used to go to synagogue during Purim without the normal "light" push - OK shove. During Purim please keep in mind that fellow veterans both in the Post and deployed overseas continue to need your support. Work with our Post leadership and together we can accomplish a great deal more than working individually. I look forward to seeing you at future Post activities.

Sincerely,

Nelson

Nelson L. Mellitz

Commander JWV Post 126

Sunday, March 18^th, 2007 at Temple Beth Shalom

We are hosting the quarterly DCA meeting with breakfast again this year. Please come and help us show the JWV state officers and committee people our hospitality from the most active Post in the New Jersey.

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Monday, March 19th.

Save the date June 22-24. Please see the enclosed flyer for details of this major event at Kutcher’s Resort in the Catskills.

Remember, all application materials must be received by March 30, 2007.

The Jewish War Veterans is your voice in Congress. It provides support to Israel. It --the list is long.

One or two hours of your time a month is all that we need. We don't want you to head anything unless you want to. If you can still pick up a phone, Call Marty Yaffee at 856-222-0691 or Senior Vice Commander Milt Lowe at 856-429-0618, and let him know you want to help yourself and others.

National Commander Norman Rosenshein of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) was in Jerusalem on Sunday, February 11, attending the International Assembly of Jewish War Veterans and the Allied Veterans Mission to Israel. This was during the entire period of time during which various news media were reporting rioting and conflict in the area of the Western Wall, near the Temple Mount. An account from the Associated Press proclaimed "Jerusalem Mayor Tries to Calm Muslim Ire. "National Commander Rosenshein reports that the news media greatly exaggerated the situation and that everything was blown out of proportion. In fact, that particular area in Jerusalem was "perfectly safe," according to NC Rosenshein who was himself in Jerusalem at noon on Sunday, Feb. 11, praying at the Western Wall as were the other JWV participants.

NC Rosenshein was in Jerusalem all day on Sunday and reports that the disturbances amounted to nothing but a lot of noise. NC Rosenshein never saw any demonstrations during his extensive stay in the area. Once again 40 protesters have been turned into thousands by the media-falsity always plays better than the truth.

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On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns. This is really an awesome sight to watch if you've never had the chance to visit.

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1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10" and 6' 2" tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30." Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform (fighting) or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

The first six-months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis (the boxer) and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, (the most decorated soldier of WWII) of Hollywood fame.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously,

24/7, since 1930.

Respectfully submitted,

David Singer, Post 126 Adjutant