American Brigadier General Hails Jewish Soldiers on Rosh Hashanah

Praising the “valiant deeds of Jewish soldiers” in past wars and in the present conflict, Brig. Gen. John T. Kennedy, Commanding General of Fort Bragg, issued Rosh Hashanah greetings to “Soldiers of the Jewish faith, their families and their friends.”

Gen. Kennedy’s messages stated: “With pride and deep sincerity I extend greetings to world Jewry as they celebrate their New Year 5703. Never before has religion had the profound significance that it has now, with all the free world battling gallantly against a pagan terrorism and a pagan ideology. The United Nations must realize that all God-fearing faiths must fight side by side against forces that would ex-terminate religion altogether. Already Jews and Catholics and Protestants have fallen together in defense of our nation, and they have died as Americans, indoctrinated with the ideals of freedom of worship as well as the other freedoms of democracy. Their blood will not run in vain. They have put their country first, ahead of personal belief and life itself, and their reward shall be in the coming free world they have helped to create.

“In offering this greeting my mind – long devoted to soldiering – turns to thoughts of the valiant deeds of Jewish soldiers in past wars as well as bravery already displayed by them in this second world conflict. Conduct of Jewish soldiers in training here soon will be reflected in actions on the battlefields of the world that we hope will bring all free peoples a glorious victory. Jews at the front and those who are waiting at home will have a prayerful New Year, and I extend my heartfelt wishes to all of them for a victorious New Year.”