DECEMBER 29 • 2022 | 27
T
he Jewish War Veterans, Dept. of
Michigan were once again well
represented at this year’s 17th
Annual Detroit Veterans Day Parade
on Sunday, Nov. 6, presented by the
Metropolitan Detroit Veterans Coalition
(MDVC).
A generous turnout by JWV members
and the Ladies Auxiliary marched along
the route that began at the corner of
Trumbull and Porter Street in Detroit,
eventually making its way down Michigan
Avenue through Corktown.
This year’s parade came with extra
special recognition for the JWV as Art
Fishman, Dept. of Michigan Sr. Vice
Commander Emeritus, was this year’s
Grand Marshal.
In September, Art was named the
Michigan Veteran of the Year by the
Commanders Group of Michigan.
Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence pre-
sented him with a proclamation from the
U.S. House of Representatives proclaim-
ing Art as an “
American of Distinction”
for his many years of public service initia-
tives on behalf of all veterans.
Prior to the beginning of the parade,
Jewish War Veteran and Fox 2 Chief
Meteorologist Rich Luterman led
an opening ceremony that included
Fishman’s introduction as the parade’s
Grand Marshal. Jerry Eden, board mem-
ber of the MDVC, presented Fishman
with a plaque in recognition of the honor.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer mingled with
the crowd prior to the festivities and U.S.
Rep. Debbie Dingel and Zaneta Adams,
Director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs
Agency, were among the other dignitaries
in attendance.
VETERANS SHABBAT
The JWV also participated in Shabbat
services in honor of Veterans Day. Jewish
War Veterans were acknowledged and
invited up to the bimah during services
at Temple Israel on the evening of Friday,
Nov. 11.
Shaarey Zedek held its annual Veterans
Shabbat program and luncheon the fol-
lowing morning, Saturday, Nov. 12. The
program opened with JWV members and
their family members marching down the
center aisle of the sanctuary. They were
preceded by the city of Southfield Police
Department’s Color Guard.
JWV Dept. of Michigan Sr. Vice
Commander Bill Glogower, Don Schenk,
Commander, Lt. Raymond Zussman Post
135, and Donald Wagner, JWV Judge
Advocate, all addressed the congregation
during the program. All three are mem-
bers of Shaarey Zedek. The JWV Dept. of
Michigan made a contribution toward the
luncheon.
Robert Near, Deputy Director of the
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, was
the guest speaker.
Special honors came at this year’s
Detroit Veterans Day Parade.
Catching Up
with the Jewish
War Veterans
ALAN MUSKOVITZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Art Fishman, Dept. of Michigan Sr. Vice Commander Emeritus, was
the Grand Marshal of Detroit’s Annual Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 6.
Next to Art is Veteran and Fox 2 Meteorologist Rich Luterman. Joining
them is driver Ed DeGiorgio, Ford Veterans Network Group.
The Jewish War Veterans Department of
Michigan and the Ladies Auxiliary marched
in Detroit’s Annual Veterans Day Parade
on Nov. 6 presented by the Metropolitan
Detroit Veterans Coalition.
ALAN MUSKOVITZ
ALAN MUSKOVITZ
Art Fishman at the parade is
congratulated by Michigan’s
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer..