12 | AUGUST 4 • 2022 

ON THE COVER

T

he Jewish War Veterans-Department 
of Michigan (JWV) held its annual 
meeting at Temple Shir Shalom on 
Sunday, June 26. The event featured the official 
installation of newly elected leadership, as well 
as remarks from office holders 
who collectively provided what 
could be called a “State of the 
Department address.
” 
As the department’s adjutant 
and a patron of JWV Shapiro-
Rose Post 510, I had the priv-
ilege of participating in the 
proceedings. There was much 
to celebrate as members proudly 
summarized the recent participation of the 
JWV in events and philanthropic efforts in 
communities throughout Metro Detroit. (See 
sidebar on page 15.) 
It wasn’t until the end of the program, when 
members were asked to gather for a group 
photograph at the front of the sanctuary, that 
I would soon become aware of a singular, yet 
notable difference in the makeup of this year’s 
JWV membership. 
A young woman stood among the veterans 
preparing for their photo op. My first thought 
was she must be the proud grandchild of one 
of the JWV members. Well, I would soon 
be reminded of the pitfalls of preconceived 
notions. 
Moments later, I was introduced to 19-year-
old Private First Class (Pfc.) Rachel Baker 
of the Michigan Army National Guard 
(MIARNG). It turns out the West Bloomfield 
resident is JWV-MI’s newest, youngest and 
only female in-service member in the orga-
nization. She was taking her rightful place 

Alan 
Muskovitz
Contributing 
Writer

From Frankel 
to Fatigues

Determined high school grad forgoes her 
prom for basic training.
Pfc. Rachel Baker 
in her fatigues.

JERRY ZOLYNSKY

