The Jewish community will hold a memorial service for its veterans at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Jewish cemeteries. The event is sponsored by Temple Beth Israel, Agudath Achim Congregation and the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation.
"We do it to honor the Jewish veterans that served our country in all our nation's wars. It includes veterans from Temple Beth Israel and Agudath Achim [synagogue]," said Bill Wallen, executive director of the Greater Altoona Jewish Federation.
The event includes reading the names of about 175 deceased veterans, including Henry Cohn, who served during the Civil War, and Judge Bertram Leopold, who served during World War II.
The service also honors the living who have served their nation.
Adam Schneider of Hollidaysburg, an Iraq war veteran, will serve as master of ceremonies. Henry Weinberg is chairman of the event.
The speaker will be Blair County Commissioner Donna Gority who will talk about service to the community and nation, Wallen said.
VFW James L. Nobel Post 3 will
present the colors, and Justin Hollern, an Altoona Area High School student, will play taps.
Wallen said children and adults attend the service. He said it is important to get the children involved so they learn to appreciate those who have served the country and to remember those who have passed on.
