My Personal Connection to Memorial Day
When I think about Memorial Day, I think about my uncle, Arthur Ashkin.
Born 101 years ago, he came to this country with nothing but the shirt on his back.
His family emigrated to New York in the early 1900s, and within ten years, most had become U.S. citizens.
He graduated from Brooklyn’s James Madison High School in 1940, which has had several famous graduates:
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Judge Judy Sheridan
Two U.S senators, Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and former Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN).
My uncle attended Columbia University where he worked in Columbia’s Radiation Lab, assisting the U.S. Military with their radar systems during and after World War II.
He also joined the U.S. Army Reserves. He soon became one of our country’s leading scientists.
In 2018, at the age of ninety-six, he was recognized for his accomplishments and won the Noble Prize in Physics.
As to why I think of my Uncle Arthur on Memorial Day, I question if he could have accomplished so much – including being honored with the Noble Prize – in any other country.
On this Memorial Day, let us not take sides. Let us not stand apart.
Instead, let us all know how fortunate we are to live in this country and honor all those who now serve and have died serving our country.
Your thoughts: please contact me here.
