The Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. have included in their mission statement that they should aid our hospitalized veterans, out troops on active service away from home, and especially those in battle zones. Another mission is to come to the aid of the Jew whenever assailed and also to support Israel.
Since 9/11, the JWV and its echelons have been very active in the National "SOS" (Support Our Soldiers) Program. One echelon has shipped over 5200 "Gift Pak Cartons of needed items. These items were shipped overseas and were distributed to our troops, regardless of race, creed, religion or color. This was accomplished with the support ond help of the community in donating funds and supplies to the program.
Among the many thank you responses received by the JWV was an American Flag that was mailed from a co-pilot, who wrote that it was flown on four missions over Afghanistan aboard his B-52 Air Force bomber in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Anaconda. The Flag and certification are on display at the National Museum of American Jewish Military History in Washington, D.C.
Israel is constantly being attacked by terrorists, and when they were assailed this past summer by Hezbollah, its people again depended upon the Israel Defense Force for its security, the JWV knows how important the "Gift Pak Carton" (which contains 13 toilet articles) is to the troops in the field. Thus, their new separately funded program of customized "IDF CONVENIENCE KITS"of 13 kosher toilet articles was started.
They are forwarded to Israel via El Al Airlines, and with shipping expenses included, each kit shipped costs about $18. They are picked up at the Tel Aviv airport at no charge by JWV contacts, and given directly to the IDF. The IDF needs 20000 kits and as of the end of December 2006JWV has shipped 3210. The kits are easy to handle and can be easily slipped into a knapsack, which makes it convenient in the filed of on the base. Your help is needed and shipments will continue as long as donated funds will permit.
Due to the overwhelming success of the "IDF KIT", the JWV will be introducing the new "GI TRAVEL KIT" to bolster the morale of our American troops. The "GI KIT " will be similar to the "IDF KIT" but will contain 18 articles which will be distributed to our Armed Forces as they leave their embarkation points for overseas duty. Thus, JWV will service many more U. S. Servicemen and women. This program will begin in April after the completion of the Passover project to support our Jewish troops with JWV's annual "OPERATION MATZO MEALS" PROGRAM.
The Bauer - Mutnick Post 688 is involved with these programs and contributions can be made payable to the Jewish War Veterans and mailed to the Post at 100 Font Blvd, Ste 4H, San Francisco, CA 94132.
The troops and JWV Post 688 thank you for your courtesy and willingness to assist in these programs
Bert Sugarman, Commander