Following Veterans Day, which is Federally recognized every November 11, Federation proudly casts the spotlight on three local American Jewish veterans. The full story first appeared in the November Jewish Journal, authored by Ezra Rich. As we salute our veterans this week, we invite you to read the shortened version below, or the full article at the link above.
Irving Sellers
After training, Irv was sent to Vietnam, where he served with the U.S. Army Americal Division, 11th Light Infantry Brigade. He recalls believing that he had received a “one-way ticket,” a fear shared by his family. Irv served on active duty from 1968 to 1970 and in the Reserves until 1974, earning medals before his honorable discharge.
Upon returning to civilian life, Irv became a father to his daughter, Amy. He later met and married his beloved wife, Doris, of blessed memory, and together they raised Amy. Irv is also the proud grandfather of Kelsey Villone and Justin Villone.
A graduate of the University at Buffalo, Irv built a successful and rewarding career in banking that spanned decades. In retirement, he applied for and was accepted to receive a service dog. Irv is always accompanied by his dog, Ella, with whom he completed American Working Dog certification through WNY Heroes’ “Pawsitive for Heroes” program.
During the Vietnam War era, many service members were not warmly welcomed home and received little support as they transitioned back into civilian life. Harnessing his desire for other veterans not to experience that harsh homecoming, Irv has become active in veterans support organizations, including as an active member on the Town of Amherst Veterans Committee. His work is driven by his desire to help veterans learn about available services and resources, educating the community about service dogs, and advocating for veterans.
Irv’s leadership and his concern for others also show in his dedication to Temple Beth Tzedek (TBT), from his term as President of its predecessor congregation, Temple Beth El, to his involvement in various committees over the years. In addition to Temple governance, Irv regularly attends Shabbat, where clergy is happy to call upon him to lead services.
Michael Serota
Mike was a Specialist 4th Class – Corporal, 4th Infantry Division, HQ Company, and received medals for his performance prior to his honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1970 and his service in the Reserves until 1974.
Mike ultimately married his bride, Sharon, and raised two children, Marc and Renee. His favorite current vocation is being grandfather to Meghan and Rachel. As a civilian, Mike channeled his curiosity during his studies at the University at Buffalo and was a beloved teacher in both Buffalo Public Schools and at Temple Beth El’s Tikvah religious school for decades.
This summer, members of Jewish Buffalo attended Irv’s and Mike’s induction onto the Amherst Veterans Memorial Wall at Amherst State Park. In tribute to their lifelong friendship, their names were engraved side by side on the wall. The Class of 2026 stonework was crafted by Leon Komm & Son Monument Co., the family business owned by fellow TBT member Leon Komm. At the ceremony, Irv introduced his childhood friend. Mike honored both those who served and those who supported them, concluding with a message of shalom, peace.
Joshua Adkins
Josh Adkins’ determination to serve was strengthened in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Signing up shortly after graduating from Williamsville North High School in 2004, Josh enlisted and began training in 2005 as a Forward Observer, a role that monitors an area and calls for mortars, artillery, and naval gunfire to blow up high-value targets. After combined basic and advanced training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma, he was sent to Germany and then Kuwait before entering the Iraq theater. During his first tour, he served in Ramadi, one of the terrorist capitals at the time.
Raised in a secular home, Josh knew he was Jewish from his mother and Jewish grandparents in Rochester, but he didn’t have a strong connection to his heritage. That changed during his service. While arriving for onboarding on base in Germany as a new soldier, a German woman working at the base asked him his religion to stamp his military ID tags (dog tag). He replied, “Jewish,” to which the woman advised against selecting due to risks from Turkish gangs who were kidnapping soldiers in Germany at the time and fear of the double status as a Jewish U.S. soldier, should he be captured in Iraq. Josh persisted in having a Jewish dog tag anyway.
Upon his exposure to areas of Iraq mentioned in the Torah, and curiosity about Islamic in-fighting, he became more interested about Judaism. It was something he explored in his ensuing time in Germany and at Fort Lewis in Washington State.
Then, days into his return to Iraq for his second tour, this time to Basra, he saw a siddur (Jewish prayer book) among the religious materials available at his base. Josh instantly recognized it, and he kept it on his person for much of his deployment. He felt it was a sign and that it helped protect him during many close calls. Josh served in the 1st Armored Division and the 17th Fire Brigade as a fire support specialist and as personal security to visiting government officials, respectively. Josh was honorably discharged in 2010.
Josh has reconnected with his faith and is a member of Kehillat Ohr Tzion, where his sons had their Bar Mitzvah and which has a Veterans Shabbat every November.