taking of 92 prisoners and the capture of 
anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons and two 
trucks. 
Sadly, just nine days later, on Sept. 21, 
1944, Zussman was killed in action by a 
German mortar.
JWV-MI Post 333 was instituted in 
1945 to commemorate 2nd Lt. Raymond 
Zussman, later merging with Post 135 
where, today, the Zussman name remains 
proudly affiliated. 
Each grave a story. Each grave a lost 
treasure. Each grave deserving to be remem-
bered now and forever.
One last story Reed shared with me from 
his visit to Machpelah was one I actually had 

a connection to. The heartbreaking story of 
Air Force Capt. Allan Sheldon Cherry, killed 
in the summer of 1967 after his plane was 
shot down over North Vietnam.
Cherry’s remains would not be identified 
and returned for decades, his funeral finally 
taking place on Aug. 9, 1999, 32 years to 
the day after his death. The funeral service 
was officiated by Temple Israel’s Rabbi Paul 
Yedwab at Machpelah with Russi Arden, 
Cherry’s widow in attendance. The Yedwab 
connection is amazing on its own.
In a stunning revelation, it turns out 
that Rabbi Yedwab’s father, Rabbi Stanley 
Yedwab, officiated the Cherry’s 1959 wed-
ding in Texas. Russi said at the time of her 

husband’s long-awaited interment that the 
connection made her feel like she and Allan 
Cherry had “come full circle.
” Russi passed 
away in 2018.
You can read more of this account by 
visiting the Detroit Jewish News Archives 
(digital.bentley.umich.edu) and read Shelli 
Liebman Dorfman’s coverage of the funeral 
in the Aug. 13, 1999, edition of the JN. 
In the May 21, 2015, JN, Stacy Gittleman 
writes of a special display honoring Captain 
Cherry, created by the Leo M. Franklin 
Archives at Temple Beth El from mementos 
donated by Russi Arden. I had the privilege 
of being part of the communication that 
transpired between Arden, Marty Levine of 
the JWV and the Franklin Archives, in the 
development of the display.

A MISSION TO REMEMBER 
Every year I attend a JWV-MI Memorial 
Weekend service, I am left wanting to see 
more children, grandchildren and friends in 
attendance, not only our JWV membership, 
but anyone in our community who may 
have a history with a Jewish veteran.
JWV’s mission states it is incumbent upon 
us to “preserve the memories and records 
of patriotic service performed by the men 
and women of our faith; and to honor their 
memory and shield from neglect the graves 
of our heroic dead.
”
It is with abundant pride that the JWV is 
recognized as the oldest active veteran ser-
vice organization in the United States whose 
dedication extends beyond our faith. As the 
Jewish War Veterans of the United States of 
America proudly state — they are the Jewish 
voice for all veterans and the veterans’ voice 
for Jews.
The very existence of that critical voice 
is at stake, which is why I encourage Jewish 
veterans who are not members to learn 
more about this cherished organization. 
On behalf of the Jewish War Veterans 
Department of Michigan and the Women’s 
Auxiliary, I wish you a safe and enjoyable 
Memorial Day holiday weekend. Thank you 
in advance for remembering and thank you 
for your support. 

We can help you identify a grave of a Jewish Veteran 

by clicking on the “Identify the Grave of a Jewish 

Veteran” link on the home page of the Jewish War 

Veterans Department of Michigan at jwv-mi.org. 

Please also click on the Membership tab for more 

information on how to join the JWV-MI.

12 | MAY 25 • 2023 

OUR COMMUNITY
ON THE COVER

continued from page 11

Mark Reed of JWV-MI gives flag placement instructions.

Ethan Gross and David Hundiak of JWV-MI prepare to flag veteran gravesites at Machpelah.

PHOTOS BY GARY PACKARD

