ERETZ ISRAEL

Dear Friend, As in every year, on Yom Hazikaron — The Day of Remembrance for the Fallen Soldiers of Israel and Victims of Terrorism — the entire State of Israel and the Jewish people mourn and honor the memory of Israel's finest sons and daughters, whose blood brought its rebirth, and whose souls ensured its existence, freedom, and prosperity.  Today, we unite in pain and gratitude, in sorrow and solidarity for the fallen. We will speak of their memory, the legacy of their final battle, and their great sacrifice for the security of our people and the State of Israel. Through the stories of combat and heroism, we remember the young lives cut short. On a personal note, I want to share my thoughts on this difficult day, and tell you that the hardest moments during my 33 years of service in the IDF were the moments of loss of young men and women. As a soldier and as a commander, I lost the best and the dearest commanders, soldiers, and friends.  I remember them in training and under fire in battle, I remember their smiles and the warmth of their faces. I remember the face of the father who hugged his son, kissed his wife, and left but never returned. I remember the face of the commander who shouted "follow me" and ran, under fire, ahead of his soldiers. I remember the face of the medic who sacrificed his life to save an injured soldier. And, I remember many other beautiful faces that will stay forever young. I remember and miss all of them. The sacrifices of the fallen were not in vain. Tomorrow, when the celebrations of independence begin, we will look with pride at our journey as a people, and at our many achievements. On the eve of Israel's 67th Independence Day (Yom Haatzmaut), Israel stands strong, resilient, moral, and confident. In the time that has passed since its establishment, Israel has achieved unprecedented, tremendous accomplishments not only in security, but also in science, culture, literature, economics, education, high-tech, medicine, and in almost every field in every facet of life. For all of these, we owe our gratitude to those who fell in the name of the Jewish homeland. Even today, after 67 years of independence, the State of Israel must continue fighting to defend its existence and the security of all world Jewry. During all these years, the State of Israel has relied upon its soldiers' heroism.   Each generation, in its turn, bears our people's security on its shoulders. In each and every generation, the best of our sons and daughters rise, ready and willing to defend their country at any cost. All are filled with a sense of commitment, knowing that against any enemy who tries to harm us, we have no other choice but to fight and win. In every war, we pay a heavy price in blood, but we only seek peace. One hand is reaching toward peace, while the other hand must continue firmly holding the sword. It is incumbent upon us to remember the fallen and honor their mission — to safeguard the State of Israel and to ensure our right to exist and live as a free people in Israel and in the world.  Dear friends, on this special day, all of us unite with the memories of the 23,320 fallen soldiers and the 2,538 victims of terrorism. We pray for the security of Israel, for the wellbeing of its citizens and soldiers, for the peace of Jews around the world, for the return of missing soldiers, and for the speedy recovery of wounded soldiers, who carry the scars of war on their bodies and in their souls. May the memories of the fallen be blessed. Maj. Gen. (Res.) Meir Klifi-Amir National Director and CEO Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF)