Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/807429
26 April 6 • 2017 jn continued from page 24 jews d in the each morning as the planes took off in flight to scan the horizon on their daily reconnaissance missions." Her first task in Fiji was to convert two warehouses into surgical and medical units under very primitive conditions. "The operating room was partitioned by blankets and used a special generator for electrical power," she noted. In her interview with Brightwell, Ethel recalled the day the first ship arrived with an overwhelming 500 service- men in need of medical atten- tion. "These men were so young. When you saw how badly wounded some of them were, you felt like they should still be home with their mothers instead of lying in the hospital." Quite an admission by a young woman herself still three months shy of her 21st birthday. ROMANCE OVERSEAS Ethel would endure three long years overseas bearing witness to the horrors of war. Her tour of duty in Fiji was rewarded by meeting the love of her life, Manuel Grossman, in the same unit. Their relationship endured a bit of intrigue as Ethel described in Michigan Jewish History: "[Ours] was an under- cover romance. He was a supply sergeant and I was a commis- sioned officer. By socializing, I was violating the officers' code on fraternizing." But, she added, "Manuel went back to complete training at officer's school, thus legitimizing our relationship." Returning home in 1945, Ethel's life remained anything but conventional — and that would include her wedding. While traveling home on leave from Oliver General Hospital in Augusta, Ga., Ethel stopped for a weekend visit to see Manuel, stationed in Charleston, S.C. A party at the officer's club was marking the closing of the hos- pital where Manuel worked. To Ethel's surprise, Manuel's comrades had decided that dur- ing the celebration "there [also] should be a wedding." Preparations included the pair securing a marriage license just hours before their ceremony, a hastily purchased green wedding dress and the luck of finding a Jewish chaplain. It culminated in an impromptu wedding on Oct. 13, 1945 — a lasting memory during their 49 years of mar- riage. Ethel and Manuel eventually returned to Detroit, where they would raise their two daughters — Susan Gold Smith and Ilene Winckler. Their upbringing by two distinguished WWII vet- erans would leave an indelible mark on both their children. "Their time overseas played a dominant role in their lives," Ilene recalled fondly. "My parents' reminiscences and thoughtful discussion pervaded dinner time conversation; and the values they had — they were true examples of the Greatest Generation." Susan recalls her mother sharing intimate details about her WWII experience such as accounts from her time "in New Zealand and India, her patients on the wards and packages received from home." Civilians Ethel and Manuel Grossman continued to make service to their country an inte- gral part of their lives long after their days of active duty. Manuel, an attorney, worked as a proj- ect administrator and systems analyst for the Army Automotive Tank Command in Warren. Ethel would join him there as an industrial nurse. It seems working in the same "unit" had become a tradition for these two. Manuel went on to serve as a reservist for 25 years; obtaining the rank of lieutenant colonel and taking his family along on his annual two-week summer active duty stints. Ethel became a member of the Southfield Veterans' Commission, working tirelessly on the Veterans History Project and women's veterans issues. Her efforts were recognized with a special commendation in 2013. Together Ethel and Manuel attended numerous reunions with members from their Fiji unit; even sharing Thanksgiving and Passover together. Passover actually created one of the more lasting memories for Ethel while stationed in Fiji. As told by Ethel in 1994 to Michigan Jewish History: "My only exposure to anything Jewish was a seder on Fiji. A Jewish chaplain on Fiji man- aged to secure matzah, wine and Haggadahs for a Passover obser- vance for all Jewish personnel on the island." A fitting memory for Ethel's children to cherish this holiday. Sadly, Ethel's sister Dorothy Siedband, 88, of Wisconsin, passed just nine days after Ethel. Surviving sibling, Sylvia Schneider, 85, lives in Maine. Check irakaufman.com in late April for details about a local tribute honoring Ethel. Those wishing to honor Ethel's mem- ory may contribute to Doctors Without Borders at doctorswith- out borders.org/donate. • Watch Ethel Shilmover Grossman's Veterans History Project interview at bit.ly/2odmSjK. "Their time overseas played a dominant role in their lives. My parents' reminiscences and thoughtful discussion pervaded 'dinner time' conversation; and the values they had — they were true examples of the Greatest Generation." — Ilene Winckler, daughter Ethel and Manuel with daughters Susan and Ilene 30150 Telegraph, Suite 444 Bingham Farms, MI 48025 Your Financial Issues THAV GROSS has been solving problems since 1982. Be sure to tune in to Law and Reality – Sunday mornings at 11 AM on TV20. Your Legal Issues thavgross.com lawandreality.com Ask Attorney Ken Gross about... :H·UHDSSURDFKLQJWKH$SULOWKWD[ÀOLQJ deadline. No matter what your situation – EHVXUHWRÀOH\RXUUHWXUQRQWLPHRUÀOH an extension. Far too often, we see clients who were short on the necessary cash to SD\WKHLUWD[HVDQGDVDUHVXOWGLGQRWÀOH their return or an extension. This happens because of anxiety and the misplaced WKRXJKWWKDW´LI,GRQ·WÀOHWKH\ZRQ WÀQG me and won't bill me." This is a MAJOR PLVWDNH7KHIDLOXUHWRÀOH\RXUUHWXUQ penalty is 25% - and it accumulates at 5% per month – so before you say, "Winter" – you have increased your taxes by 25%. By contrast, the late payment penalty, is ½ % per month - continuing for a maximum of 50 months – that's over 4 years – and totals to far less than what you pay in interest on your credit cards! Here's the takeaway. Non-payment of IRS taxes is not a major problem. We can arrange payment terms so there is simply no reason to increase your WD[HVIRUIDLOLQJWRÀOH²WKDWLVDZDVWH of your money! Also – when you don't ÀOHWKH,56ZLOOHQGXSÀOLQJIRU\RX² and that is called a "SFR" (Substitute for Return). SFR's are bad because you don't receive all of your deductions and worse yet, while income taxes are dischargeable in bankruptcy – they are not dischargeable LIDQ6)5LVÀOHGIRU\RX%RWWRPOLQH²ÀOH or extend by April 18th. Don't Make this Mistake