Six World War II veterans honored by Town of Hempstead at JCC

Six veterans sat side by side at the Barry & Florence Friedberg Jewish Community Center July 17 as they were individually recognized by the Town of Hempstead for serving in World War II, each man ranging from 94 to 100 years old. Approximately 50 people gathered for the rare opportunity to honor several WWII veterans that live within the community.

“We have one man that is 100 years old,” John Robbins, the commander of Jewish War Veterans Post 717, which hosted the event, said. “We wanted to do something now, because they are fading away. That’s why we decided to have this as our first meeting in the JCC after three years.”

The men honored were Daniel Breier, Arthur Feltheimer, David Marshall, David Reisman, Emil Kesselman and Herbet Alberg.

Their certificates of recognition read “The Town of Hempstead is proud to extend its heartfelt appreciation to you for your dedicated service and significant contributions to our community and its residents.”

Councilman Anthony D’Esposito was also in attendance, to grant citations from the New York State Assembly to the veterans.

“With everything we’re facing now across the nation, especially with anti-Semitism and all of the hate against the Jewish community, it’s great that, right here, in the town of Hempstead, we have a group joining together, pretty regularly,” D’Esposito said. “They’re very active in the community to speak out against hate, to respect their history and traditions and, most importantly, honor some of the greatest generation.”

D’Esposito had given a speech to the crowd before handing out the citations, and spoke of his grandfather, a WWII veteran who had passed away just a few years ago.

“My grandfather always told me and his other grandchildren, you always try to leave the world better than they found it,” D’Esposito said. “We are here today honoring men, who have legitimately left the world better than they found it.”

Breakfast was served at the start of the meeting, to give attendees the chance to speak with one another, as well as meet with the veterans. The ceremony began with a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner and ended with speeches from two young Oceanside residents. The first of the two was Vincent Calcagno, a recent graduate from Oceanside High School, who was awarded with $500 from the JWV for his winning submission in their essay contest. The contest was open to all high school seniors and had asked them to write on why they are proud to be an American. Calvagno read from his essay during his speech.

Next to speak was Peter Hingle, who was there to represent his grandpa, also a veteran, who could not attend the ceremony. Hingle is well-known within Post 717, as he had attended meetings often with his grandfather, and had already been acquainted with many of the WWII veterans. During his speech, Hingle spoke of his passion for learning the nation’s history as he told a story of when his professor asked his class the significance of Elbe River, and he had been the only one to get the question right in ten years. Hingle said he knew the answer from David Marshall, one of the veterans being honored, because he had been at the river that day and had told Hingle about his first-hand experience.

“You hear and read about WWII, you see it in the movies, and it’s just really incredible what these men have done for their country,” Hingle said. “I think it’s great they’re being honored for this, they’ve earned it.”

The youngest of the six men being honored was David Reisman, who had been helping cook and set up the meeting beforehand. He was enlisted in the Navy at just 17 years old in early 1945. When asked if there were anything he would want to say to the community who had attended, he said, “I’m honored. Thank you for being here, and it is my pleasure to be here with you.”

The post had also been accepting donations throughout the meeting. On behalf of his company, Coldwell Banker American Homes, Joseph Ponte donated a check for $100. Members of the post were pleased with the turnout of the event and are looking to hold a bigger event in August.

“It’s a beautiful Sunday morning where people could be at the beach, people could be fishing, people could be many places, yet they’re here,” D’Esposito said. “If you look around there is young, there is old, which means the respect of the tradition of those who served this great country is alive and strong”