JUNE 29 • 2023 | 23

Memorial Day Parade

The Jewish War Veterans (JWV), 
Department of Michigan, were front 
and center, literally, at this year’s Royal 
Oak Memorial Day Parade. Members 
of the JWV, Ladies Auxiliary and JWV 
Color Guard were the first group to 
march down Main Street at 9 a.m. 
Just ahead of them was the 
incomparable Art Fishman, 96, JWV 
Post 510, and JWV Senior Vice 
Commander Emeritus, this year’s 
Grand Marshal, his second such 
assignment in the last eight months. 
Last November, the Navy veteran 
of WWII was the Grand Marshal 
of Detroit’s Annual Veterans Day 
Parade, and that came on the heels 
of Fishman being namd the 2022 
Veteran of the Year by the Michigan 
Commanders Group.
Fishman received a hero’s reception 
from the large crowds of applauding 
men, women and children that lined 
downtown Royal Oak. Art applauded 

and saluted right back during the 
entire length of the parade route that 
stretched down Main Street from 

Lincoln Avenue to 11 Mile Road. 
Dr. Ed Adler, Senior Vice 

JWV - GENERATION 
TO GENERATION
Two current members of 
the Jewish War Veterans, 
Department of Michigan were 
also among those who hon-
ored the suggestion to engage 
younger generations in the 
JWV Memorial Day weekend 
activities. 
Mark Manson and retired 
Dr. Ed Adler are both Army 
veterans and sons of WWII 
veterans. Both gentlemen have 
also proudly represented the 
JWV-MI by their participa-
tion in local Naturalization 
Ceremonies. 
Manson, Post 474, is the JWV-MI’s 
historian and president of the organiza-
tion’s Memorial Home. He and his wife, 
Marcia, brought their 11-year-old grand-
son Ethan to both Memorial Day services 
at Machpelah Cemetery and Hebrew 
Memorial Park on Sunday, May 28.

Adler is an Army veteran. On 
Memorial Day, he was accompanied by 
and marched with his wife, adult sons 
and his 6-year-old grandson in Royal 
Oak’s Annual Memorial Day Parade. The 
parade also featured 96-year-old JWV Art 
Fishman, who was this year’s honored 

Grand Marshal. (See below.) 
Mark Manson regularly 
engages his grandson Ethan 
in the history of the mili-
tary and most recently went 
on a field trip with him to 
Michigan’s Hero Museum in 
Frankenmuth. 
Of his visits with Ethan to 
Machpelah Cemetery and 
Hebrew Memorial Park, 
Manson said: “I wanted him to 
see the graves, the solemnity of 
it. It’s important for us to make 
sure future generations know 
and honor the sacrifices that 
 were made on our behalf.” 
Memorial Day is now in our 
review mirrors, but American flags will 
fly proudly again as our nation prepares 
to celebrate its 246th birthday on July 
4, yet another opportunity to pause and 
reflect on the gratitude that is our free-
dom and remember those who have pre-
served it. 

Mark Manson and his grandson Ethan at Hebrew Memorial Park.

Dr. Ed Adler marches with his family during the Royal Oak Memorial Day Parade.

continued on page 24