Military veterans share experiences with Hewlett-Woodmere students

Five military veterans shared their experiences of serving in the armed forces one day before Veterans Day through a virtual discussion that originated from the Hewlett-Woodmere School District’s Woodmere Education Center.

The Nov. 10 event included American Legion Post 339 Lawrence-Cedarhurst commander Syd Mandelbaum and other Post 339 members: Pat Alesia, Harry Sidor, Domenick Crici and Mitchell Dancyger. It was moderated by Social Studies Department Chairman John Wimmer.

Mandelbaum noted that his upbringing – his parents were Holocaust survivors – inspired him to serve in the armed forces. “When my parents came into the country, they came from Nazi Germany,” he said. “I was brought up patriotic and was very proud of what the country had done for my family. When the time came when I was older, I wanted to serve my country to help win the war in Vietnam.”

Alesia served as a brigadier general in the United States Army during the Vietnam War for three years. He continued his service after the war by joining the New York National Guard until his retirement in 2002. Alesia noted the struggles of being away from home for an extended period.

“Every day, I would send a letter home but it would take almost a month before they would receive a letter,” he said. “We also had a radio hookup in a compound. If you got lucky, you can call an operator in California that would direct you to your home phone number.”

Sidor enlisted in the Navy in February 1951 during the Korean War. He would serve in the Navy for four years. Sidor discussed the struggles of seeing people die during his service time.

“Because of all the aggravation and wars that we went through, a lot of veterans did not survive,” he said. “When I go to a cemetery, I become very teary eyed. I’ve seen too many people die.”

Crici served in the Korean War in the army security agency. “I was 21 when I joined the service and we had a few close calls,” Crici said. “One time a sniper was shooting into our compound, but the good thing was that he was a lousy shot. That was the worst time.”

Mandelbaum explained why veterans forge such strong bonds. “As someone who is now involved with Veterans Day and trying to help as many veterans as we can, there’s sacrifices that we veterans have in common,” he said. “The one factor that binds us is that we’ve served our country. We’ve left our homes, seen people wounded and killed.”

Alesia, who also is a member of Nassau County American Legion, added that he considers all veterans his extended family and he feels an obligation to help them. “Veterans Day is a time to thank veterans for their service and the sacrifices they made,” he said. “We always say that America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. I say that America is the land of the free because of the brave.”