The December 5, 2019 annual Holiday Dinner Party of the Queens Village Republican Club featured Elizabeth Pipko, founder and president of The Exodus Movement, Ann Schockett, newly elected president of the National Federation of Republican Women and Steve Mayo, radio talk show host. Here are the videos of their presentations.
VIDEOS: Holiday Party with Exodus Movement Founder Elizabeth Pipko & NFRW President Ann Schockett
Elizabeth Pipko: Founder & President of The Exodus Movement.
Centenarian Philip Kahn: From Harlem Hospital to Hiroshima to Home
By Robert Golomb
Editor’s Note: This is syndicated columnist’s Bob Golomb’s latest column as published in The Published Reporter and other media honoring the life and legacy of highly decorated World War II Veteran, Phil Kahn.
“…having had the opportunity to fight to defend America alongside so many of the most decent and most courageous Americans who have ever lived”, he stated, “has been the greatest honor of my life.”
The world in which Philip Kahn and his twin brother Samuel- the sons of Jewish Polish immigrants- were born in New York’s Harlem Hospital on December 15, 1919 was in the first year of recovery from the most brutal war of then recorded human history. That war, World War 1 (also referred to as the First World War), fought from July 28 to November 11, 1918, involved Germany, Austria- Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire in a global battle against the Allied Forces- Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Japan and the United States (which first entered the conflict in April 1917).
While by that memorable November 11th day that WW1 was won by the Allied Forces (celebrated today as Veterans Day) approximately 37 million people had been killed, including more than 110,000 American service men and women, several months after the war ended, the world was inflicted with even greater suffering caused by still another great catastrophe. However, unlike WW1, that other catastrophe, which was to tragically impact upon the Kahn family, was not the result of the cruelty of humankind but rather the result of the cruelty of nature.
That nature generated mercilessness was bred in the Spring of 1918 by a contagious, deadly strain of the avian influenza virus. Originating in China, the virus quickly spread a plague of misery and death throughout every nation on the planet. By the time this plague, named the “Spanish Flu”, ended in the summer of 1919, it had infected an estimated 500 million people- approximately one- third of the world’s population at the time- and killed between 40-50 million people, including in the range of 675,000 Americans.
One of those Americans was Samuel Kahn, who died from the virus 3 weeks after his birth.
Philip Kahn, whom I interviewed in his daughter’s western Long Island home last week, described how the tragedy haunted him and his family throughout their lives. “From my earliest memories, probably beginning at 3 or 4, I can recall my father and mother discussing their grief over losing my twin to this awful disease”, he remembered. “Their conversations about him remain in my mind. And until this day, I continue to wonder about what type of great person Samuel would have grown up to become, had he lived.”
Fortunately, the family had previously been blessed with two older sons- Jack, born in 1914 and Louis in 1915. Kahn told me that despite the sad lingering memories of the loss of his twin brother, he led a wonderful life growing up in the upper West Side of Manhattan, living with his father, who owned a local bakery, his mother, a homemaker, and his 2 older brothers. “My mother and father, who had immigrated to America years before with their families to escape the growing anti- Semitism in Poland”, Kahn stated, “taught my brothers and me to enjoy every piece of American life. And what enjoyment we had. They took us on day trips throughout every borough in the city. We especially loved Brooklyn, where our most enjoyable summer destination was to the beaches of Coney Island, and then we would take a short walk to eat hot dogs and French fries at Nathans. Most importantly”, Kahn added, “My parents taught us to follow and cherish our Jewish faith and to love and be loyal to the great country of America that had opened its doors of freedom and opportunity to them.”
As the world began moving in the tragic path of a second World War in the 1930’s, Kahn would, before he even reached his 21st birthday, be given the chance to prove that he had learned his parents lesson of love and loyalty to his nation. In Asia, Imperial Japan launched the genocidal conquest of Manchuria, which they followed in 1937 with the even more brutal invasion of mainland China. In Europe, Fascist Italy, extending its reach into Africa, invaded Ethiopia in 1935. And in 1939, in the same beleaguered continent of Europe, Adolph Hitler’s murderous Nazi army invaded Poland- an action that triggered England and France to declare war on Germany. World War 2 had just begun.
Kahn was convinced that America, which had remained neutral in the conflict up to that point, would soon be forced to end that neutrality and enter the war to defeat the German, Italian and Japanese Fascist nations (which upon the signing of an alliance pact in September 1940, became known as the “Axis Powers”). “I would go to the theatre and watch the movie reels showing the Germans murdering thousands of innocent civilians – many of them my Jewish brethren, showing the Japanese committing mass murder in the Pacific, and the Italian army slaughtering people in Africa”, he recalled. “I knew that America, the greatest, strongest and most moral nation in the world, would not sit passively by as the evil forces of the Axis waged a war to take over the world. I knew that the day would soon come when the United States would join the battle to defeat this evil.”
In 1940, 1 year before what he had forecast to be the “day that would soon come”, Kahn enlisted in the United State Army’s Aviation Cadet Pilot Training Program in Fort Gordon, Georgia, which provided him with training on aerial combat. “I was trained to be a flight chief which involved learning about all the aspects of piloting, co- piloting, engineering and grounding a plane.” Still, there was an equally important lesson he learned. “Training together with hundreds of Americans coming from all parts of the country, the kinds of people I had never met before”, he stated, “I saw first- hand how decent and courageous my fellow Americans were, and I made many friends.”
When Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1945, killing 2403 Americans, followed 3 days later with Germany’s declaration of war against America, Philip, as many of those courageous Americans with whom he had trained, was sent off to the battle in the Pacific, while others were sent to Europe. Serving alternately as a co-pilot, crew chief and aerial engineer, Kahn flew 14 perilous missions over Japan, dropping tons of murderous firebombs over heavily civilian populated cities. Kahn, who had been promoted the rank of sergeant by then, told me that these bombings left him with conflicting emotions. “I felt these lethal aerial attacks were a justifiable payback for Pearl Harbor. And I knew that they would help shorten and win the war. But I couldn’t get it out of my mind that we had killed many civilians, including, men, women and children, who did not have a chance to escape our onslaught”, he said.
Kahn told me that during his time in combat he often thought and worried about his older brothers who were soldiers fighting the Germans in Europe. That worry, which of course, was probably shared by every American whose family member was fighting against the Germans, ended on May 7th 1945, the day Germany surrendered to America.
Remembering that day Kahn, who was stationed in an air base in an island off the Japanese mainland at the time, stated, “When I heard the news that Hitler and his genocidal empire had been destroyed, I felt a great sensation of joy and pride as an American. Also, having learned some frightening details about the genocide of European Jewry, I thanked God that American troops had liberated hundreds of thousands of survivors. In addition, I believed the Americans, including my two brothers, who had fought so valiantly in Europe would soon be returning home.”
That belief was premature. Seeing their closest ally go down to defeat did not make the Japanese consider surrender, even as daily American bombing raids were reigning death and destruction throughout their major cities. Realizing the suicidal tenacity of the Japanese, American generals began drawing up plans for a massive invasion of the land of their Asian enemy. Expected to take a year and cost one million American lives, the plan involved transporting most of the troops from Europe, probably including Philip’s brothers, to join American forces in Asia for a massive attack against mainland Japan.
“The plan was a poorly kept secret. We knew that the Americans, possibly my own 2 brothers who had just defeated Hitler, would once again be called upon to possibly die for their country. But we knew, just as those of us fighting in the Pacific, they would be ready, willing able to fight to the death to defeat our enemy”, stated Kahn.
That “fight to the death” never had to be fought. On August 6, 1945, American pilots, flying a B-29 bomber aircraft, dropped an Atom Bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing more than 90,000 people; On August 9th, with the Japanese still refusing to surrender, American B-29 pilots dropped a second Atomic Bomb, this one over Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people. And finally, on August 15th, the Japanese announced their unconditional surrender, putting an end to a war that claimed more than 85 million lives throughout the world, including those of more than 300,000 Americans.
Kahn, who shortly after the surrender co-piloted several reconnaissance missions over these 2 annihilated cities, told me that while the horror of death and destruction he observed from his plane still troubles him to this day, he remains convinced that America’s use of these horrific weapons was justified. “The sight of tens of thousands of dead human bodies and the sight of debris from the obliterated homes and buildings has haunted me to this day”, Kahn lamented. “Yet, I believe that the estimates of the large number of casualties America and their allies would have sustained in an invasion were correct. So, dropping the bombs, I remain convinced, was our only option.”
The highly medal decorated Kahn like, most of his fellow 16 million WW2 American heroes, went on to live a normal life after the war. He got a job, which he kept his entire working life, as an electrician for Local 3 in New York City; married his high school sweetheart, Rose; raised 2 daughters with her; and now has 6 grandchildren and 4 great- grandchildren, with two more soon arrive.
Reminiscing about his one hundred- year life, Kahn, who recently lost his wife after 73 years of marriage, stated, “I feel that I have been a blessed man. My parents and brothers were loving and supportive. My wife was kind and beautiful. My children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren are the joy of my life. And the greatest blessing of all -we live in America.”
While I found Kahn to be extremely modest throughout the interview, he seemed unable to conceal his pride when he noted that his WW2 valor been documented in the Library of Congress in Washington DC, the Cradle of Aviation in Long Island and in the Intrepid Museum in Manhattan. “I have felt very gratified to have my military service recognized by our nation. And having had the opportunity to fight to defend America alongside so many of the most decent and most courageous Americans who have ever lived”, he stated, “has been the greatest honor of my life.”
Robert Golomb is a nationally and internationally published columnist. Mail him at MrBob347@aol.com or follow him on Twitter@RobertGolomb
Rebirth on Main Street, U.S.A.
By Phil Orenstein
Last week we witnessed three auspicious anniversaries. November 11th was the 100th anniversary of Veterans Day, marked by the annual Veterans Day parade in Manhattan, one of the largest in America. President Trump was the first sitting U.S. President to attend the event and address America’s veterans. We are eternally grateful to our veterans who served and sacrificed fighting for freedom.
The week was also marked by the 30th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, a pivotal moment leading to the downfall of Communism and the light of freedom emerging in Eastern Europe. During the same week, Kristallnacht or the Night of Broken Glass, a violent pogrom against the Jews of Germany in November 1938, also marked its anniversary. German authorities looked the other way without intervening, and the world remained silent giving Hitler the green light to advance his plans for the systematic murder of six million Jews during the Nazi Holocaust.
We partake in these events and remember once again that freedom is not free. President Ronald Reagan warned: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction” and in the hallowed words of Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” a timeless quote from over 200 years ago that stands as words of warning against the sin of succumbing to political apathy. However, the actual language went more like this: “When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.”
Today, we see that the appalling conditions in our country, our city and state warrant that “the good must associate.” Now is the time for all good patriotic Americans to proudly stand up and associate into organizations and movements to save our country, defend our values as Americans, and resist the socialist trends of the times.
Thankfully, this optimistic trend of good people associating is happening here and now! Not only does this describe the successful workings of the Queens Village Republican Club, but all throughout the nation, Americans are uniting and fighting to take our country back. Hope is not lost. There is a rebirth going on today, on Main Street, U.S.A. The #WalkAway campaign, Blexit, and The Exodus Movement are the names of just a few of these positive associations to light the fire of hope and freedom in the hearts of all good American citizens.
We remember Brandon Straka, who just hosted a jam-packed Hispanic American Town Hall in Congressional District 14, AOC’s district in Queens, to reveal that the Hispanic community largely holds conservative values. Brandon, a former New York liberal and Hillary supporter, who walked away and transformed himself into a proud patriot and Trump supporter, received the acclaimed American Patriot of the Year Award at our March 2019 Lincoln Dinner. Since then, his #WalkAway movement has grown into a tidal wave of Americans from nearly all ethnic and minority communities, who are following Brandon’s lead to think critically and independently. 1000’s are dissolving their loyalties to a political party driven by hate and intolerance, that manipulates emotions and controls our thoughts by dividing us by race, gender, and sexual orientation, and undermines the will of the people with its phony witch hunt against the president.
Candace Owens and her Blexit movement that is encouraging millions of black Americans to exit the Democrat Party, has Republicans applauding and Democrats terrified of the president’s rising poll numbers in the black community, with one pollster placing the president’s approval rating at a high of 36%. Candace is a charismatic conservative firebrand, who like Brandon was a liberal until she heard candidate Trump at a campaign rally in 2016 ask black America: “What the hell do you have to lose?” and started her thrilling journey exiting from decades of Democrat’s deception and media brainwashing, and who is now encouraging millions to do the same. Candace is on our shortlist of luminaries invited to keynote our upcoming 2020 Lincoln Dinner on March 22nd. Mark the date on your calendar for this magnificent annual event!
Elizabeth Pipko, whose front-page essay is featured in this issue of the Eagle, is the founder of The Exodus Movement, and is an international model, former Trump campaign staffer, and media star. Elizabeth is a proud millennial Jewish American, who is teaching others to stand up for what they believe and think for themselves, and to make their Exodus from the rising anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism of the left and the Democrat Party. We are excited to have Elizabeth speaking at our December 5th Holiday Dinner Party. Please help spread the message of The Exodus Movement with a contribution, and join us on December 5th and bring your friends!
Our club is also on the forefront of the battle winning hearts and minds over to the Republican side on Main Street, Queens. Literally. We are planning inspiring meetings and a glorious 2020 Lincoln Dinner, as well as marching in local parades, joining Trump 2020 rallies, handing out flyers, registering voters, building our county committees, recruiting Republicans, organizing and fighting to take our country back. The movement we are leading is to rebuild the Republican Party, to vote Republican, and win local elections, so we can change the radical policies that are making conditions in New York worse, and to hasten the new Republican renaissance in NYC! Join us and be part of these patriotic movements!
Join Elizabeth Pipko and celebrate the holidays at the QVGOP Holiday Dinner Party:
THURSDAY DEC. 5, 2019 at 7:30 PM
At: Young Israel of Holliswood – Holliswood Jewish Center
86-25 Francis Lewis Blvd., Holliswood, NY 11427
$40 Per Person
RSVP Required: www.QVGOP.org
or contact Jim Trent: 718-343-8830 or jtrent8830@aol.com
Let’s celebrate our great USA!
By Elizabeth Pipko
My parents and grandparents came to the United States from the Soviet Union about 40 years ago. They sacrificed all that they had so that I could one day be born in the greatest country in the entire world. Growing up, my father would often tell me about his first few years in the United States, having to decide on some days whether to take the subway home or to buy himself dinner, as he could not afford to do both. His stories always ended with the same few words – “It was all worth it, because you were born an American.”
My grandfather, a famous artist back in Russia who was not allowed to paint the images that he dreamed of, had a very specific hope – to come to America and to be free to live an openly proud Jewish life. Back in Russia, he often painted in the dark and in secret, terrified that the authorities would catch him painting what was not allowed and punish him. He dreamed of a life in the United States, with the liberty and freedom to believe in whatever he chose to believe in, and for his children and future grandchildren to be able to do the same.
Now I have the honor to live a life full of advocacy for the things that mean the most to me, being a proud Jew and a proud American. No matter what happens in our world, I will never let my parents’ and grandparents’ sacrifices be in vain. It is my job to not only continue the legacy that was left for me, but to fight to show others the beauty and strength that comes with being a PROUD Jewish American.
We are living in difficult times. Antisemitism is on the rise and our country is more divided than ever. But we must not give up. We owe so much more to all those that came before us, and all those that will come after us! We owe everything we have to those that fought and died for the freedoms that we enjoy today, and I will never allow those around me to give up on the future of the greatest country in the entire world.
All of us must look in the mirror and ask ourselves, why are we voting? And who are we voting for? Is it for ourselves and the strange attachment that we have to the Democratic Party despite its many empty promises over the last few decades? Or is it for our future children and grandchildren, and the future of our amazing country? Has the left given you what you voted for? Or have they disappointed you, like they have disappointed many? It’s time to take our country back. And to vote ONLY for those that support us. Not just with their words, but with their actions!
It is time for us to come together! It is time for us to use our voices and our hearts to mend the spirit of our country back together and to make sure that we leave a better country behind for all future generations. There should be no hate left in our hearts, only spirit and pride in our great nation. A nation that welcomes all people, no matter where they come from or what they believe in, a nation that has given so much hope to so many around the world, and a nation that I love with all of my heart.
Join me on December 5th at the Holiday Dinner Party at Young Israel of Holliswood at 7:30 pm hosted by the Queens Village Republican Club and let’s celebrate our great USA!
Elizabeth Pipko, Founder & President of The Exodus Movement, featured on Fox News, is an international model, former Trump campaign staffer and fiercely proud millennial Jew.
Join Elizabeth and celebrate the holidays at the QVGOP Holiday Dinner Party:
THURSDAY DEC. 5, 2019 at 7:30 PM
At: Young Israel of Holliswood – Holliswood Jewish Center
86-25 Francis Lewis Blvd., Holliswood, NY 11427
$40 Per Person
RSVP Required: www.QVGOP.org
or contact Jim Trent: 718-343-8830 or jtrent8830@aol.com
