He noted that today’s medical services have immensely surpassed that of years ago. Today’s average life expectancy of more than eighty years is twice as long as that at the turn of the twentieth century. Actuaries report that the fastest growing segment of our population is the over-100 year old segment. Frank Buckles, the last surviving World War I veteran, died on February 28, 2011, in Charlestown, VW. He was 110.
Our elderly are with us for a much longer period of time than at anytime before in recorded history. The chaplaincy, accordingly, must adjust to address the needs, concerns, desires, wishes and honor of the elderly.
Good To Have Friends
The recent inadvertent disinterment of graves at a Jewish cemetery in Lucena, Spain, was quickly resolved by the intervention of the Hon. Fernando Villalonga, Spain’s consul general in New York. The consul, who served previously in Argentina, has a warm relationship with Hon. Jules (Yitzchok) Fleischer, member of the United States Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad.
Reb Yitzchok, born and raised in Argentina, continues to maintain close relationships with his former neighbors and schoolmates. On a visit to his old home, he met and befriended Consul General Villalonga. When the Lucena cemetery incident occurred, Reb. Yitzchok contacted the consul general who was instrumental in quickly helping resolve the Lucena problem. It is definitely good to have friends.