Ben Roth of Clearbrook recently was honored during Jewish War Veterans’ national convention.
By: Al Wicklund
MONROE Ben Roth of Clearbrook, the past commander of the state chapter of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America, hasn’t slowed his pace since stepping down from his top post.
"I go to Trenton three days a week to help out at the state JWV headquarters," said Mr. Roth, who was honored as the most outstanding state commander during the national organization’s August convention in Jacksonville, Fla.
"I take calls from veterans and their family members. If I don’t have the information to answer a question, I usually can get it with a telephone call or two. It’s often just a matter of knowing what office or person to call," he said earlier this week.
Mr. Roth, 80, said he also serves on the JWV National Executive Committee. He will represent the state chapter, officially called the New Jersey Department of Jewish War Veterans, at events if Bob Cirkus of Clifton, the present state commander, or another state officer is not available.
He said he recently represented the JWV state department at a review of the Menlo Park Veterans Home in Edison.
Mr. Roth, a veteran of World War II who served as the 2002-2003 JWV state commander, was cited by the national JWV as the top state commander in the United States because of the level of activity and the quality of representation he gave in his year at the helm, from June 2002 to June 2003.
During his time as state commander, he not only attended a multitude of local JWV post and state events, he also carried the message of veteran unity to other veterans groups.
"I was invited to attend and to speak at the American Legion convention in Wildwood and at the Disabled American Veterans and Catholic War Veterans conventions in Atlantic City.
"My message was that while we represent different groups, we have to speak with one voice as veterans. And, we had to make sure that promises made became promises kept," he said.
Mr. Roth said it is important that, when veterans go to Washington, D.C., to meet with congressional members, that they speak of the same concerns, including health care for an aging veteran population.
He said he was planning to travel to Washington in March to take part in an annual meeting with members of Congress.
"Those days are our days on the Hill," Mr. Roth said.
He said it’s a serious and important time for "the veterans we represent and their families."