Today Is Memorial Day For Israel’s Fallen Soldiers

Today is Memorial Day for Israel’s fallen soldiers, and this year it is quite different indeed. My heart goes out to all those who treasure the memorial ceremonies and the once yearly get together at the grave of their loved one(s), and who this year will be remembering their son/daughter/mother/father/aunt/uncle/brother/sister quietly. In large military cemeteries I believe entrance is not permitted today, and families were asked to visit the graves over the past few days. The military did put flowers or floral wreaths as well as flags on each grave, and today in every military cemetery several soldiers are standing on guard in respect, in front of a large customary flare. Our local military cemetery’s gates were wide open however, as it is much smaller than others. How do I know this? Because I live just down the street from the cemetery and decided to go pay my respects (and take some photos) without actually entering the cemetery proper, since unlike previous years the place was virtually empty, well except for the 3 soldiers, 1 man, and 2 women and me. So, out of respect for those who gave their lives to protect our tiny country, from the ruthless enemies on all sides (except for the Mediterranean Sea) I decided to go for a visit and say thanks. Sigh, sigh, sigh.

Truthfully, the good news is, and with all due respect, the most important day to visit the grave, according to Jewish law is on the anniversary of the passing, namely the date on the Jewish calendar. So while visiting the grave on Memorial Day certainly has great meaning for many, maybe this year more families will actually visit the grave on the day that make the most difference for the deceased, which is on the date of their passing.

May all of our current soldiers be protected in their service of our country and may no more lives be lost from the downright ridiculousness of terrorism and baseless hate, that we face everyday from our neighbors. I know most of you can’t begin to imagine what this must be like, and usually we don’t think about it, except when war planes fly overhead or there is disturbance in the news, but lets just say that this reality weighs heavily on our countr. So please give us the benefit of the doubt when you read all the slander that newspapers love to publish about Israel! I don’t think there is any other country in the world that makes such a huge contribution and yet is such a target for hate.

Here are a few more photos to show you what Fallen Soldier Memorial Day looks like today here in Israel in 2020: