NOVEMBER 9 • 2023 | 19

A

rmed Forces Day is celebrated on the third 
Saturday of May, while Memorial Day is the last 
Monday in May. This Saturday is Veterans Day, 
which is observed every Nov. 11. 
In chronological order, the three official 
holidays pay homage to active service men 
and women, fallen soldiers and sailors, and 
finally military veterans, which includes all 
who honorably wore the uniform.
For me, every day is a day to pause and give 
thanks to anyone who has donned a uniform 
for the purpose of serving and protecting our 
country. And, in light of our current perilous 
world condition, I extend that gratitude to the 
brave men and women who now battle for the very exis-
tence of the State of Israel and Ukraine, many of whom will 
make the ultimate sacrifice. 

UNTIL YOU COME HOME
This January will mark nearly 80 years since the Himelhoch 
family of Michigan received word that their beloved Gilbert 
had indeed made the ultimate sacrifice during WWII’s 
Battle of the Bulge. The Jewish War 
Veteran (JWV) and Flint native was killed 
in action on Jan. 5, 1945, while serv-
ing with the U.S. Army’s 232d Infantry 
Regiment, 42d Infantry Division.
Gilbert Himelhoch was awarded the 
Purple Heart and Bronze star posthu-
mously. His remains have yet to be 
found. It is an open wound that will 
never heal but yearns for closure. Several 
weeks ago, they took a step in the right 
direction.
Gilbert is among the brave souls whose 
names are etched on a memorial wall in 
the Epinal American Cemetery in Dinozé, 
France. But now his descendants will 
have a place to gather and honor him in 
the form of a marker in the Memorial 
Section of the Great Lakes National 
Cemetery (GLNC) in Holly, Michigan. 
It is the section designated for “veterans 
for which there are no remains, are cre-
mated but scattered elsewhere, MIA or 
buried at sea,” said Eric Crawford, Army 
veteran and GLNC’s Lead Cemetery 
Administration Specialist.
Family members and friends of the 
Himelhochs gathered at the GLNC on Sept. 6 for a ceremo-
ny that officially memorialized Pfc. Gilbert J. Himelhoch 
with full military honors, which included a rifle volley, 
the folding and presentation of the American flag, and the 
playing of taps. An honor guard from the Freedom Riders 
motorcycle group circled the area with American and 
POW/MIA flags and presented the family with a plaque 
honoring Gilbert. 

continued on page 20

Alan 
Muskovitz 
Contributing 
Writer

An 
An 
Overdue 
Overdue 
Honor
Honor

Pfc. Gilbert Himelhoch

Jewish War Veterans of the Department of Michigan 
were among those observing the flag-folding ceremony 
honoring Jewish WWII Pfc. Gilbert Himelhoch at the 
Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly.

PHOTOS COURTESY THE GREAT LAKES NATIONAL CEMETERY 

