The annual commemoration ceremony for the fallen soldiers of the Multidimensional Unit (888) was held last week (Tuesday) at Tel Nof Airbase, led by the Commander of the Multidimensional Unit, Colonel Yishai Rozilio, with the participation of the Head of the Security Division, Brigadier General Tal Ashur, and in the presence of bereaved families, past and present commanders, and soldiers of the unit.
The representative of the bereaved families, Shi Keren, father of Captain Yehonatan (Johnny) Keren, may he rest in peace, who fell during the maneuver in the Gaza Strip, said in his speech: “The ‘Noah’ portion, which we read a week ago, tells us about a world destroyed by the flood and the need to find the strength to leave the ark and start anew, in a world that will no longer be as it was. Each of the bereaved families knows its private flood, the world that changed in an instant, the pain and longing that do not disappear even as the years pass. But perhaps the olive branch brought by the dove reminds us that even after the flood, one can find small moments of hope. A hug, a meeting, a shared smile and laughter. Not instead of the pain, but alongside it.”
“We did not choose to be members of the bereaved families, and our pain is daily. We choose anew each day to live a life alongside immense pain, alongside the great absence, alongside ‘if only he were here.’ Each family has chosen its own way to memorialize their son in many and varied ways, not for themselves but for the public. Memorialization is so important – it helps, it uplifts, and it gives purpose. Therefore, this evening is important and special and gives us great strength. It testifies that the unit knows how to pause and honor its fighters who are no longer with us.”
“Dear commanders and soldiers, we, the bereaved families, carry the pain every day, every hour. But when we see you – the determination in your eyes, the dedication to the mission, the love of the homeland, and the camaraderie that binds you – we know that the sacrifice of Yehonatan and all the fallen of the unit was not in vain. You are continuing their path. You are the bridge between destruction and revival.”
The Commander of the Multidimensional Unit, Colonel Yishai Rozilio, delivered a speech: “This year’s ceremony is themed ‘Strengths of Renewal.’ How, despite the great pain, do we draw strength for renewal? I think the answer lies in explaining the essence of memory. In the people of Israel, memory is alive, memory is a command! A command to act, a command to advance, a command to operate!”
“This is the third year of the war. The unit, as you have seen, is fighting on all fronts, always first, pioneers, in order to harm and neutralize enemy capabilities and protect the citizens of Israel. In the unit, too, we are focused on renewal. In a few months, the unit will transition to lead the operational-technological effort in the IDF, with the establishment of a new corps designed to be a step ahead of the enemy in development and operational effectiveness.”
“Beloved families, from the memory of your loved ones, our loved ones, we draw strength. From the visits, the gazes, and the meetings with you, we draw the qualities and values they absorbed from home and that led them. From the deep connection between the past, the present, and the look to the future, we draw hope. From the connection together – we draw strengths of renewal. Many challenges lie ahead. I am full of hope, faith, and prayer that we will know, as one man with one heart, to face every challenge and create a good and secure reality in the State of Israel. May the memory of the fallen be blessed forever.”
