On Friday morning, Rabbi Fishel Todd received a call from the Jewish Chaplain at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware requesting his assistance in providing a proper funeral for an elderly veteran named Neil Rosenbaum. The Chaplain was on special assignment at the base – there was usually no chaplain there.
Mr. Rosenbaum, a staff sergeant in the Air Force when he served in the Korean War era, was in his upper 80’s when he passed away and, having no children, was living in a home for veterans for the past several years.
With little time to gather a minyan, the local Chabad shliach had great difficulty gathering the required ten men.
Rabbi Todd had until 10 am to get to the cemetery which was over 3 hours from Lakewood, but he managed to get there.
The Chabad shliach, the chaplain, and Rabbi Todd were amazed to see all the staff of the veterans home, the local Jewish War Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars all come out to say goodbye to Mr. Rosenbaum. He was a beloved man, one who had many stories that he rarely spoke of, especially in recent years after his medical condition had deteriorated. In time these stories will no doubt be revealed.
At the conclusion of the hespedim, Mr. Rosenbaum’s guardian was offered the flag, but he declined it, instead asking Rabbi Todd to take it. Rabbi Todd accepted the flag on behalf of Pirchei Shoshanim, the endorsing agent of the Air Force Chaplain overseeing the funeral. After the honor guard folded the flag, it was presented to Rabbi Todd on behalf of the President of the United States.
Upon returning to Lakewood, it was decided that “Rosenbaum flag” should be given to the first Shomer Shabbos Civil Air Patrol squadron in the history of the United States Air Force.
A ceremony celebrating the inauguration of the squadron, N.J. 613, is being planned. The flag will be presented at the ceremony to Commander Cohen and Deputy Commander 2nd Lt. Yosef Kaplan. (Many shomer Shabbos cadets have already enlisted into the squadron. The squadron meets every Sunday night 7 – 9 at Lakewood Airport. The Squadron is seeking Cadets ages 12-21 that want to get their pilots license, fly drones and gliders, and learn about aerospace and martial arts. Those interested in joining the squadron should call Yeshiva Pirchei Shoshanim at 732-370-3344.)
Mr. Rosenbaum will have Kaddish said on his behalf as well as other Mitzovs that are being planned in his merit.