Monkey
May 10th, 2005, 10:20 PM
Israel honors its fallen
Memorial day for over 20,000 casaulties in Israel's wars commemorated countrywide Tuesday night
By Shani Mizrachi
TEL AVIV - A minute-long siren was heard all across the country at precisely 8 p.m. Tuesday, marking the opening of Memorial Day events commemorating the 21,954 killed in Israel’s wars.
During the main commemoration ceremony, which was held at the Western Wall, President Moshe Katsav addressed the bereaved families.
"We know this night is for you - bereaved families - another night of insomnia, another night of pain and agony," he said.
"We look at your watery eyes and our shoulders fall. We look at your shaking hands, at your staggering knees, and our hearts break.
Faith and the struggle for independence and sovereignty collected a heavy blood price of us. With blood and sweat we continued to absorb immigration and build towns and villages – at the same time we had to hold a weapon for our defense; to protect the lives of our citizens.”
Katsav added "On this day there are no differences between us."
Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon said, "As the IDF's commander, and throughout the 37 years of my service, I stand by you and with you, members of bereaved families."
"The faces of your dead sons and daughters, the faces of my commanders, friends and subordinates who have died throughout the years, are with me every step of the way. I meet them on difficult days and at times of joy, when I make decisions, in the mornings and at night."
'We vowed to prevent the kids of the next war'
Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke at a Jerusalem memorial service.
"Those who have experienced the attack and the shells, who have carried a critically injured man and felt the heat of his blood and witnessed him taking his last breath, those who have seen the terrible price of war - have vowed to do whatever they can to prevent our children from experiencing another war," he said.
"You bear the burdensome sorrow and have to live with the grief, overcome it again everyday," he told the audience.
Another siren is set to be heard at 11 a.m. Wednesday, marking the beginning of 43 memorial ceremonies scheduled to be held in military cemeteries all across the country.
Memorial day for over 20,000 casaulties in Israel's wars commemorated countrywide Tuesday night
By Shani Mizrachi
TEL AVIV - A minute-long siren was heard all across the country at precisely 8 p.m. Tuesday, marking the opening of Memorial Day events commemorating the 21,954 killed in Israel’s wars.
During the main commemoration ceremony, which was held at the Western Wall, President Moshe Katsav addressed the bereaved families.
"We know this night is for you - bereaved families - another night of insomnia, another night of pain and agony," he said.
"We look at your watery eyes and our shoulders fall. We look at your shaking hands, at your staggering knees, and our hearts break.
Faith and the struggle for independence and sovereignty collected a heavy blood price of us. With blood and sweat we continued to absorb immigration and build towns and villages – at the same time we had to hold a weapon for our defense; to protect the lives of our citizens.”
Katsav added "On this day there are no differences between us."
Chief of Staff Moshe Yaalon said, "As the IDF's commander, and throughout the 37 years of my service, I stand by you and with you, members of bereaved families."
"The faces of your dead sons and daughters, the faces of my commanders, friends and subordinates who have died throughout the years, are with me every step of the way. I meet them on difficult days and at times of joy, when I make decisions, in the mornings and at night."
'We vowed to prevent the kids of the next war'
Earlier Tuesday, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon spoke at a Jerusalem memorial service.
"Those who have experienced the attack and the shells, who have carried a critically injured man and felt the heat of his blood and witnessed him taking his last breath, those who have seen the terrible price of war - have vowed to do whatever they can to prevent our children from experiencing another war," he said.
"You bear the burdensome sorrow and have to live with the grief, overcome it again everyday," he told the audience.
Another siren is set to be heard at 11 a.m. Wednesday, marking the beginning of 43 memorial ceremonies scheduled to be held in military cemeteries all across the country.