Mass meetings, parades and religious services in New York and other cities marked the 45th annual celebration of American Jewish Heroes Day today. Many of the nation’s leaders and representatives of the United Nations took official recognition of the day by sending greetings to the Jewish people of America and lauding the patriotism and heroism that Jews have shown since the founding of the Republic, in the defense of their nation.
The United Jewish War Effort, which sponsored special observances of the day throughout the country, made public messages from President Roosevelt, Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy, and other national leaders, paying tribute to the patriotism of American Jews. The President, in his message, expressed the hope that “American Jewish Heroes’ Day will inspire all who participate with a renewed appreciation of the sacrifices made by American Jewish heroes and their contributions to the upbuilding of our free institutions.” Secretary Knox declared that “the Navy is proud to salute its officers and men of Jewish faith whose courage and patriotism have contibuted so much to the struggle against the common enemy of mankind.”
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.