DELRAY BEACH -- For Jewish veterans of World War II, fighting for freedom has a dual meaning almost 50 years later.
Most of the 500 members of Jewish War Veterans Chapter 622 not only fought for the United States then, they also fought Adolf Hitler`s massacre against Jews in Europe, and anti-Semitism in America.
So when local veterans succeeded six years ago -- after much opposition from extremist groups -- in getting a memorial built to those who died in battle, it had special meaning.
Some of those veterans gathered at the Jewish war memorial in Veteran`s Park on Sunday to honor the efforts of soldiers alive and dead.
``This is a good day to remember,`` chapter member Murray Hymowitz said. ``We have to remember that someone stuck their neck out for us. Sometimes we take freedom for granted.``
Louise Shure, regional director of the Palm Beach County chapter of the Anti- Defamation League, gave the 100 in attendance a history of the role Jews have played since the Civil War in fighting for freedom.
Among the most notable, Shure said, were Commander Edward Solomon, who was an integral leader at the Battle of Gettysburg, and the 15 Jewish sailors who were aboard the USS Maine in the Spanish-American War.
She also remarked that in honoring the dead, people should remember that the Jews` struggle for freedom is ongoing.