Compiled by Sharon Wisch-Ray
sharon@tjpnews.com
Archive project honoring WWI veterans
Photo: Judge Milton Sturman WWI veteran Joe Sturman
2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I. Many soldiers, sailors and airmen from Tarrant County and surrounding areas participated in the war. Others trained in our area.
Indeed, they were here locally at bases in Benbrook, Watauga, Camp Bowie and others. The JWV is interested in gathering any pictures, documents, medals or articles/stories concerning these folks. Some of you have moved here from elsewhere and we will be glad to share the stories of any of your relatives that served in World War I as well.
Hollace Wiener, the archivist for Jewish material for Tarrant County and veterans’ material, is in charge of the World War I project. Julian Haber is helping her and has been a Jewish-American military historian and author for our community. They are looking for any pictures or families that have knowledge of what their loved ones did in World War I. Any documents such as entry or discharge papers or any stories in any newspapers or communications with persons while they were in service are welcome.
An exhibit is being created. Julian will create vignettes about some of the people involved based on the materials gathered from various documents and if possible from some family members. You can imagine this will be somewhat difficult as the events of World War I were a hundred years ago.
Julian hopes to include some of the stories in his next veterans’ book. His target date to complete it is three years. He will include stories of allied soldiers and those of the JWV post not included in volumes one and two (these stories will be looked for after finishing the World War I writings.)
When sending information, make sure to include where your loved one served and what units they were attached to help further fact-finding. The JWV thanks you in advance and looks forward to helping the community make this history and the events that honor these World War I vets a great success.
For more information, please contact Hollace Wiener at hollaceava@gmail.com or Dr. Julian Haber at julianhaber@aol.com with any information you have, and they will make arrangements to gather the information or interview you.
— Submitted by Julian Haber
Save the Date: Oct. 30
B’nai B’rith Isadore Garsek Lodge has set Oct. 30 as the date of this year’s Person of the Year dinner at Beth-El Congregation. Send your Person of the Year nominations to B’nai B’rith Isadore Garsek Lodge, P.O. Box 101234, Fort Worth, TX 76185.
A reservation hotline will be set up soon.
For more information, contact Chair Dan Sturman (dansturman@fixtureexchange.net), Marvin Beleck (Marvinbeleck@aol.com) or Alex Nason (anason53@gmail.com).
— Submitted by Dan Sturman