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DECEMBER 26, 2024 - JANUARY 1, 2025
HERALD PERSON oF tHE YEAR GAry Glick
Gary Glick: A life of service, advocacy for all veterans By JOSEPH D’ALESSANDRO
As commander of the Jewish War Veterans Post 652 for nearly 15 years, Gary Glick of North Bellmore has made it his life’s work to support veterans and ensure their stories are remembered. At 75, his outreach in schools, museums and community organizations continues to preserve history while inspiring the next generation. For his efforts to honor the past and confront modern challenges like antisemitism, the Bellmore Herald is proud to name Glick its 2024 Person of the Year. Glick’s service in the military began at the age of 20, when he pursued a career in the U.S. Army in 1969 in response to the Vietnam War. He reached the rank of Speciale’s got ist, 4th Class, working in stock control such a and accounting before taking up a new position on the other side of the world heart for people — but not in Vietnam. to understand Glick was transferred for a twoyear term as a Chaplain’s Assistant in the reality of Munich, Germany. He worked with what we’re living soldiers of all faiths and heard powerwith. ful life stories — an experience that motivates him today. Once Glick’s time in the army was BERtA WEiNstEiN over, he returned to the states and President, Merrick met his wife, Fran Glick, and had two Community Civic children — Brian Glick and Alyson Association Struck. His post-military career was troubleshooting for Gayle King Carr & Lynch Air Conditioning. He retired from that position at the age of 62 and has since dedicated his time to the JWV. “I became a commander to help other people get their lives together, even when they're 75, 80, 90-years-old,” he said. “We're all working together to try and help each other.” The Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America is the longest running veterans’ organization in the country. As a member, Glick meets local veterans, connects them with needed resources, participates in parades, and creates a welcoming community for service members. He takes pride in the camaraderie Post 652 offers. “We're helping more and more people with PTSD,” Glick said. “Whatever I couldn't cover with the Veterans Affairs, we found a way of going past that and getting the person the help
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they need that they could actually stay in their homes and age in peace.” Glick preserves the stories of veterans — some who are over 100 years old — by listening to them, reconnecting them with living relatives, and helping them live long and healthy lives. “Many veterans came home, and they should not have been forgotten,” he said. “I feel that history does tell you things and we have a rich history here.” Glick also works to help local synagogues reclaim forgotten monuments and reconnect families with the graves of their loved ones. “These are forgotten heroes,” he said. “They could be your mother, your father, it could be your grandpa, it could be your relative — I'm just trying to get it out there.” Glick worked with other community organizations and religious institutions, fellow JWV posts, and the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center in Glen Cove. His interest in historical education outreach features tragedies such as the Holocaust and Kristallnacht, as well as American military history. “Everybody's forgotten what happened during the war,”
Continued on page 2 Tim Baker/Herald
Gary Glick, commander of the Jewish War Veterans Post 652, is a familiar face in Bellmore’s veteran community. An advocate for all veterans, Glick is also a fierce opponent against antisemitism, and his work reflects both his commitment to veterans and fighting against hate.