World War II veteran to serve as grand marshal of Rockville Centre's Memorial Day Parade

Herb Rosenberg was prisoner of war in Denmark

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Herb Rosenberg can still vividly remember being a prisoner of war in Nazi-occupied Denmark during World War II.

“When you’re a prisoner, there’s always a gun over your head, and you never know what’s going to happen next,” the 100-year-old Rosenberg said. “You don’t know if you’re going to live or die. I’m Jewish, and the Nazis were the party in power.”

Rosenberg, who became a centenarian last November, was freed when the war ended, and eventually settled in Rockville Centre, where he has lived for more than six decades. In honor of his sacrifice and dedication to his country, American Legion Post 303 has named him the grand marshal of the village’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday.

Rosenberg was born on Nov. 6, 1921, to the late Gazella and Joseph Rosenberg. He had an older sister, Thelma, and a younger sister, Nadine, and grew up in the Bronx. In 1942 he was drafted into the U.S. Air Force, where he served for three years. A bomber in which he was flying was shot down in Denmark, and after spending months as a prisoner of war, he said, one of the greatest moments of his life was being liberated when the war ended.

“When you’re under attack, the adrenaline pours into your body because you’re not even aware of it,” Rosenberg said. “It was wonderful that we were liberated, thank God for that. Mentally I was a wreck, but I’m OK now. Coming home to the U.S., my family, my friends and my parents, that’s what I thought about.”

After the service, Rosenberg met his future wife, Barbara Ulman, in what he described as a fateful encounter. He and a friend had set out on a road trip to Toronto when his friend’s car broke down in the Catskills. One of Rosenberg’s uncles owned a resort in the area, so they went there, and Rosenberg met Ulman, who was staying there as a guest. The two hit it off.

“I didn’t know at that point she was going to be my wife, but I knew by the time I finished talking to her that I was going to marry her,” he recalled. “Fate put us together. If his car didn’t break down, I would not have met her.”

The couple wed in 1949 and had three children, Carol, Joan and Robert. They lived in Manhattan, and then moved to Rockville Centre more than 60 years ago. Barbara, who died in 2017, was devoted to their 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, Rosenberg said.

After his time in the Air Force, Rosenberg owned Herbro Pharmacy in East Rockaway for 25 years before retiring.

American Legion Post 303 Commander Frank Colon said that a post committee determined that Rosenberg would be a fitting grand marshal for the parade. Colon, his next-door neighbor, described Rosenberg as a “nice, humble” man.

“He was chosen because of his bravery and commitment to the country,” Colon explained. “He represents his generation. They stepped up to the plate and did the right thing. People don’t realize the enormous sacrifices they made for their country.”

Rosenberg said he would be honored to serve as grand marshal, and joked that he wasn’t sure what, exactly, was expected of him.

“I think I have to practice my waving,” he said with a laugh. “I love Rockville Centre and everything about it. I love this house I’m in. I’m happy here. I’m happy being surrounded by my wonderful children. I have nothing but thanks."