Anniversaries inspire gratitude for service
To the Editor:
In recognition of the 250th birthdays of our Army, Navy, and Marine Corps, the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of our country, the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the 110th anniversary of World War I, and in recognition of Veterans Day, we extend our appreciation and thoughts to Americans who are serving in our military and to all veterans. We also wish to acknowledge the veterans of the Jones and Moskowitz families who served during major wars from the Civil War to the War On Terror, including WWI and WWII.
During the Civil War, 1st Sgt John B. Jones (Eliabeth’s grandfather) and Cpl. William E. Jones (Elizabeth’s great-uncle) were in the 5th New York Cavalry Regiment of upstate New York from 1861 to 1865. They fought in many battles, including the Orange Court House, Brandy Station, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor, and Gettysburg.
Donald’s grandfather, Pvt. Max Moskowitz, served in the US Cavalry (Roughriders) in 1898, during the Spanish American War. He was a government inspector during WWII, monitoring a number of manufacturing plants in New England.
During WW I, Alton Christmas Jones (Elizabeth’s father) and William Howard Jones (uncle) served in the USMC, and saw action at Belleau Wood, Chateau-Thierry, Aisne-Marne, and Muesse-Argonne. Alton suffered some gas exposure during one of the battles. William Howard received the Silver Star and the French Croix De Guerre medals for his “action at Blanc Mont Ridge on October 3,1918, where he held off a German attack using a machine pistol.”
Donald’s father, Sidney Moskowitz, was a machinist who repaired ships at the Charlestown, MA, naval shipyard during WWII. Elizabeth’s cousin, Barney O’Neil, was a US Army infantryman who landed in Normandy in June 1944. Bob Rosenblatt (Donald’s relative) served in the Army at the end of WWII.
Barry Rowe (Donald’s brother-in-law) was a commander in the US Navy who served during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
John Jones and Edward Jones (Elizabeth’s brothers) served in the late ’50s and early ’60s. John, US Army and Edward, USMC. Donald Moskowitz was an E5 in the Navy in the ’50s, and then was a Vietnam era veteran in the ’60s, serving as a Navy officer on 13 ships. Donald continued to serve our country through participation in the American Legion, having served as a post adjutant and commander, and department treasurer and vice commander. Robert Nichol (Elizabeth’s cousin) was a platoon leader in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. He was in the 1st Infantry Division and the 101st Infantry Division. During his Vietnam service, he was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts.
Michael Gerard (Donald’s and Elizabeth’s son-in-law) was an Airman 1st Class, USAF in the early ’80s. His father, Michael Robert Gerard Sr. was a Tech. Sgt. in the USAF from 1958 to 1978. Robert A. Tyrrell, our daughter-in-law Mary Tyrrell’s father, was a corporal in the USMC during the Korean War. James E. Papajohn, our daughter-in-law Audrey Papajohn’s father, was a private in the USMC during the Vietnam War. Jeffrey Ammons (Donald’s nephew) served as an Army officer during the War On Terror.
Anton Olsson (Elizabeth’s second cousin) served on board a corvette in the Swedish Navy.
We must continue to remember all of our veterans who have served our country in times of peace and war. Veterans appreciate being recognized in public for their service to our great country, and a greeting of “thank you for your service” goes a long way in showing that appreciation.
Donald Moskowitz
Elizabeth (Jones) Moskowitz
Londonderry, NH
