Dear Editor:

On this Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2020, we extend our appreciation and thoughts to all Americans who are fighting the war against the coronavirus; and we also wish to acknowledge the veterans of the Jones and Moskowitz families who served during major wars from the Civil War to the War On Terror.

During the Civil War 1st Sgt. John B. Jones (Elizabeth’s grandfather) and Corporal William E. Jones (Elizabeth’s great uncle) were in the 5th New York Cavalry Regiment from upstate New York within the period 1861 to 1865. They fought in many battles, including the Orange Court House, Brandy Station, The Wilderness, Spotsylvania Court House, Cold Harbor and Gettysburg.

Donald’s grandfather, Pvt. Max Moskowitz, served in the U.S. Cavalry (Roughriders) in 1898 during the Spanish American War.

During World War I Alton Christmas Jones (Elizabeth’s father) and William Howard Jones (uncle) served in the USMC and saw action at Belleau Wood, Chateau-Thierry, Aisne-Marne, and Meusse-Argonne. William Howard received the U.S. Silver Star and the French Croix De Guerre medals for his “action at Blanc Mont Ridge on Oct. 3, 1918 where he held off a German attack using a machine pistol.”

Donald’s father, Sidney Moskowitz, was a machinist who repaired ships at the Charlestown, MA Naval Shipyard during WWII. Elizabeth’s cousin, Barney O’Neil, was a U.S. Army infantryman who landed in Normandy in June 1944. Bob Rosenblatt (Donald’s relative) served in the Army at the end of WWII.

Barry Rowe (Donald’s brother-in-law) was a Commander in the U.S. Navy who served during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.  

John Jones and Edward Jones (Elizabeth’s brothers) served in the late ‘50s and early to mid ‘60s , John U.S. Army and Edward, USMC. Donald Moskowitz was an E5 in the Navy in the ‘50s and then was a Vietnam era veteran in the ‘60s serving as a Navy officer on 13 ships. He continued his service to the country with almost 20 years in the American Legion, including positions as Post Commander, Department (State) Treasurer and Department Vice Commander. Robert Nichol (Elizabeth’s cousin) was a platoon leader in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970. He was in the 1st Infantry Division and the 101st Infantry Division. During his Vietnam service he was awarded the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, and two Purple Hearts.

Michael Gerard (Donald’s and Elizabeth’s son-in-law) was an Airman First Class, USAF in the early ‘80s. Jeffrey Ammons ( Donald’s nephew) served as an Army officer during the War On Terror.

Our families wish to pay tribute to the many millions of U.S. veterans who have served our country during the past 245 years.

Elizabeth (Jones) and Donald Moskowitz

Londonderry, New Hampshire