[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 139 (Friday, September 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1746-E1747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


       HONORING THE JEWISH WAR VETERANS ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 8, 1995
  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my constituents 
and members of 

[[Page E 1747]]
the New York State Department of the Jewish War Veterans, and with 
American veterans everywhere, to celebrate with pride and admiration 
the 100th anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans.
  Formed in the post-Civil War era to help counter obstacles faced by 
Jewish soldiers who fought in that war, the JWV not only serves to 
support the concerns of the many veterans who fought for their country, 
but also acts as a service agency to foster social action and concern 
among all our citizens.
  The organization has been made both dynamic and effective through a 
succession of dedicated and highly competent leaders. It is because of 
such dedicated Americans that members and supporters of the JWV will 
gather on the evening of Sunday, October 1, 1995, to rejoice in a 
century of dedication and achievement.
  Allow me to briefly note the accomplishments of some outstanding New 
Yorkers who have proudly served as JMV national commanders.
  Benjamin H. Chasin entered the service in 1942, rose to the rank of 
captain, and received numerous awards while serving in the Pacific 
theater. After many years of service in the reserves, he retired as a 
lieutenant colonel in 1970. Concurrently he rose through the ranks of 
the JWV, and served as national commander form 1957-58.
  Ralph Plofsky entered the service in 1942 and saw action with the 
10th and 77th Division. After his discharge in 1945, he again served 
his country on active duty in Korea. Discharged as a captain of the 
infantry in 1951, Commander Plofsky joined the White Plains Post of the 
JWV and in 1964 was the first Korean war veteran to be elected national 
commander of the JWV or any other veterans organization.
  Jerome D. Cohen got his first taste of the military at age 10, when 
he served as a drummer in the Sons of the JWV. At 17, he enlisted in 
the Navy; among his many assignments was his service for 3 years as 
coxswain on General MacArthur's whaleboat on the U.S.S. Nashville. He 
was involved in the war in
 Asia, was wounded and received several citations, including the Purple 
Heart. After separation from the service, he began a distinguished law 
career. At age 22, he was elected commander of the Cohen-Lehman Post of 
the JWV. Demonstrating outstanding leadership abilities, he quickly 
rose in the JWV ranks, and in 1971 was elected national commander.

  Another such distinguished commander, Nathan M. Goldberg, served in 
the U.S. Navy as an enlisted man and officer. He was released with the 
rank of ensign. He readily became active in the Albany Post of the JWV, 
served as its post commander and became involved in the JWV on a 
national level, becoming national commander in 1978. While he has 
served in a number of community-oriented posts in Albany, he has had 
major impact in his tenure as president of the National Jewish Military 
Museum in Washington, DC.
  The distinguished past National Commander Stanley W. Zwaik served in 
this office from 1982-83. Initially a resident of Jamaica, NY, 
Commander Zwaik entered the Armed Forces in 1941 and received his 
commission as a second lieutenant in the military police. He was active 
in the South Pacific, New Guinea, and the Philippines. At the close of 
the war, he joined the reserves and retired in 1964 with the rank of 
lieutenant colonel. It was in 1946 that he joined the JWV and soon 
became a county commander. As his leadership talents became widely 
recognized, he was elevated to a number of State and then national 
posts, resulting in his elevation to the post of national commander.
  Edwin Goldwasser, national commander, 1986-87, first became involved 
with the JWV in 1961 in Spring Valley, NY. A most dynamic leader, he 
became post commander in 1967. He moved into active leadership 
positions in the JWV, first in New York State and eventually on the 
national level. Utilizing the prestige and impact of the JWV, Commander 
Goldwasser has undertaken many compassionate and humane projects on 
behalf of JWV causes, both in the United States and internationally. 
One such mission led him to the Vatican to assist in locating an 
Israeli MIA, Zachary Baumel.
  It was to the great honor of the JWV that Vice President Albert Gore 
invited Past National Commander Warren S. Dolny to accompany him as 
part of the U.S. delegation to the ceremonies commemorating the 50th 
anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising. Commander Dolny was also 
honored to be invited by the White House to attend the signing of the 
Israel-PLO peace accords. In 1951, Warren Dolny was drafted into the 
Marines. After discharge with the rank of sergeant, he became a member 
of the Fred Hecht Post in Spring Valley, NY. His unique leadership 
capabilities were quickly recognized, and he was elected post 
commander. Rising steadily in the ranks of the JWV, Dolny filled a 
variety of county, State, and national posts, culminating in his 
election as national commander in 1992.
  Mr. Speaker, all Americans can be justly proud that our country has 
produced such men as these commanders of the Jewish War Veterans. I ask 
all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me now in 
paying tribute to these outstanding patriots, and in congratulating the 
members of the Jewish War Veterans on the 100th anniversary of this 
marvelous organization.


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