“Uncommon Valor: Jewish-American Medal of Honor Heroes,” an exhibit displaying the military accolades of Jewish American soldiers, opened in Tower Hall Sunday.
“You shouldn’t have to do this stuff, it shouldn’t be unique,” said Charlie Faas, vice president of administration and finance. “Anyone who serves in our military is a hero, but these people clearly did not get recognized during their time.”
History professor Jonathan Roth orchestrated the exhibit which will be open until March 31.
The stations were a mix of genuine articles and reproductions of artifacts from past U.S. conflicts, from the Civil War to the Korean War.
Items on display included soldiers’ medals, uniforms, cavalry sabers, mess kits and gas masks.
Exhibit organizer Robert Katz gave introductory remarks.
He said that if other groups wanted to put together their own exhibits for their Medal of Honor recipients, he would be happy to help them in
that endeavor.
Katz followed the statement by pointing out what distinction truly matters.
“We are not ‘hyphenated Americans.’ We are just Americans, with the power and glory that brings,” Katz said.
Retired judge Quentin Kopp who also served the California State Senate from 1986 to 1998, gave a lecture on the history of Jewish Americans in the armed forces.
Kopp is a veteran of the Korean War and said the exhibit was important for the historical context it provides.
“The Jews have had a turbulent history in the United States of America,” Kopp said.
Kopp cited the stewardship of the land that would become New York City by Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch director-general of the territory until it was ceded to the English in 1664, as an example.
According to Kopp, Stuyvesant reluctantly allowed Jews to work as guards for the settlement, an inauspicious beginning to Jewish military service
in America.
“It’s important to demonstrate how Jews have progressed militarily in the United States,” Kopp said.
Kopp is also the president and chairman of the Korean War Memorial Foundation.
Master Sergeant Kevin Bornkamp, a member of the California State Guard, said that exhibits such as “Uncommon Valor” are important for the remembrance of those who served.
“You know the old term, ‘Lost, but not forgotten.’ That’s what we do, we always bring back history and we never forget, always remember,” Bornkamp said.
Faas said he was moved by the exhibit, lauding Professor Roth’s work in particular in putting it together.
“Everyone’s eyes get opened at different times, in different ways and if this opens up another person’s eye or two, then it’s really done its job,” Faas said.
