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..