US: Jewish memorial proposed at Arlington Cemetery

2 New York politicians pushing forward effort to have plaque put up for Jewish chaplains who died in line of duty at America's military cemetery.

By JORDANA HORN, JPOST CORRESPONDENT
Obama at Arlington FOR GALLERY (photo credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Obama at Arlington FOR GALLERY
(photo credit: Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
NEW YORK – Two New York politicians are heading up an effort to put up a plaque at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia to honor Jewish chaplains who died in the line of duty.
Arlington National Cemetery, America’s military cemetery, currently has memorials honoring Protestant and Catholic chaplains who died while in the service, as well as one for chaplains killed in World War I, but has no commemoration of the 13 Jewish chaplains who died while serving in the US Armed Forces in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
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The current chaplain memorials were erected by different groups of benefactors. A joint congressional resolution sponsored by New York Rep. Anthony Weiner and New York Sen. Charles Schumer calls for a new plaque, similar in size and style to the other three, honoring the late Jewish chaplains. All Arlington memorials require a joint concurrent resolution by Congress.
“These chaplains who served their country so honorably deserve this memorial, just like those of other faiths,” Weiner said in a press release. “I believe there will be strong support for this resolution in Congress and I look forward to the day when I can stand with my colleagues and see this memorial unveiled at Arlington National Cemetery.”
The proposed bronze plaque mounted on a granite slab would list the 13 names as well as a Jewish proverb – “I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders” – and an inscription with the Star of David.
Rabbi Harold Robinson, the director of the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council and one of the leaders of the effort, told AP, “ßthis is a miracle of American democracy and that’s not a miracle that one learns about by going to Arlington National Cemetery.”