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Jews in U.S. Armed Services in Vietnam to Receive Chanukah Gifts

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Jewish personnel in the United States armed forces stationed throughout the world will receive more than 50,000 gift-wrapped packages for Chanukah sent by local groups in this country affiliated with the Women’s Organizations’ Services of the National Jewish Welfare Board, it was announced here today. Many of the recipients of the gifts and supplies for Chanukah parties will be Jewish servicemen now on duty in Viet Nam.

Hundreds of gifts, including Jewish books, records, silver mezuzot and Stars of David on chains, as well as refreshments, are on their way to Chaplains Richard E. Dryer, Robert Louis Reiner and Harry Z. Schreiner, the three Jewish chaplains in Viet Nam, for distribution during Chanukah to the growing number of Jewish military personnel in that area. At Chaplain Dryer’s request, 500 battery operated fans have been shipped as Chanukah gifts for Jewish men stationed in Viet Nam to help bring them relief from the heat, humidity and insects.

Jewish chaplains in Korea, Italy, France, Germany, Turkey, North Africa, the Aleutian Islands, Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, many Pacific outposts and in all other overseas and stateside areas where Jewish servicemen are stationed will conduct Chanukah candle-lighting services at military installations. In Veterans Administration hospitals, too, there will be comparable observances. Local JWB Armed Forces and Veterans Services Committees and Jewish Community Centers will cooperate in organizing Chanukah observances for Jewish GIs and their families on and off military bases.

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