Jewish War Veterans Mark Centennial

The Sepulveda VA Medical Center will host a special ceremony Monday to mark the centennial anniversary of the Jewish War Veterans Organization.

U.S. Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Panorama City) will deliver the keynote address at the ceremony. He will be joined by national, state and local Jewish war veterans officials as well as representatives from other veterans service organizations.

Founded in 1896, the Jewish War Veterans Organization is the oldest active veterans association in the United States. The organization was established in response to claims in several magazines of the day that no Jews had served in the Civil War. Records show that more than 8,500 Jews served in the Civil War, mostly in combat.

“There are still some parts of the public that believe that Jews are only merchants, they believe the stereotypes,” said Nate Whitman, a volunteer with the organization and former Army combat engineer who served in North Africa and Europe and participated in the D-day invasion during World War II. “The truth is there have always been a lot of Jews serving in the armed forces.”

The organization’s anniversary celebration will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in the chapel, located in building 24, on the Medical Center grounds, 16111 Plummer St. in North Hills. The ceremony will be followed by a reception.