On this Veterans Day in 2023 we extend our appreciation and thoughts to Americans who are serving in our military and to all veterans. 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 Cpl. William E. Jones (Elizabeth’s great-uncle) were in the 5th New York Cavalry Regiment from upstate New York from 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; and was a government inspector during World War II, monitoring a number of manufacturing plants in New England.
During World War I, Alton Christmas Jones (Elizabeth’s father) and William Howard Jones (uncle) served in the U.S. Marine Corps and saw action at Belleau Wood, Chateau-Thierry, Aisne-Marne, and Meusse-Argonne. Alton suffered some gas exposure during one of the battles. William Howard received the U.S. Silver Star and the French Croix De Guerre medals for his “action at Blanc Mont Ridge on October 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, Mass. Naval Shipyard during World War II. 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 World War II.
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 Persson Jones (Elizabeth’s brothers) served in the late 1950s and early-to-mid-’60s, John in the U.S. Army and Edward in the 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. Donald has continued his service to veterans through participation in the American Legion, Department of New Hampshire, having served as the department (state) treasurer and a department vice commander. Additionally, he served as a commander and adjutant at the American Legion post in Londonderry NH.
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 1980s. Jeffrey Ammons ( Donald’s nephew) served as an Army officer during the War On Terror.
Anton Olsson, Elizabeth’s second cousin, served on board a corvette in the Swedish Navy.
We must continue to remember all of our veterans who have served our country in times of peace and war. Veterans appreciate being recognized in public for their service to our great country, and a greeting of “thank you for your service” goes a long way in showing that appreciation.
Donald and Elizabeth (Jones-Persson) Moskowitz live in Londonderry, New Hampshire.