I think kibbuzniks have different emotional reactons to many. We used to, and still do, when we see our boys going to engage the enemy, are not filled with foreboding but with very positive energy.

Through my years I have known a lot of ben meshek that have joined elite units and come back alive, wounded or dead.

The pain is always there and the unique Israeli quirk of putting Yom Hazikaron and Yom Hatzmaut next to eaxh other is a curious twist. the bitter sweet – how very Jewish.

And my own experience in Lebanon over 25 years ago [!!!] through today.

I just wish it did nothave to be. But I also remember that not too long ago, the Jewish people had nothing to defend or weapons to fight with.

We always had to use benign skills and smiles to survive.

Now we defend our own Land, Medinat Israel, in Eretz Israel and despite everything, even though the world still unites against the Jewish people – I prefer to be disliked for our fighting than loved and sympathized with for our tragedy.
These are the words paraphrazed of Ben Gurion.

So let us never show grief or fear to the world, but only the show the normal face of an Israeli: determination, just cause and a will to win that is an aexample to the whole rotten world.

– Hank