Nava Applebaum

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have fallen while serving their country. We also remember innocent civilian terror victims who's lives were taken by evil people who don't appreciate the value of life. One name that comes to mind is Nava Applebaum.

Nava Applebaum was 20 years of age and had a big family. She had a fiance who she had met through the Ezra youth movement where they both volunteered for needy families.

She had just finished working at a voluntary organization aiding child cancer patients. Her father had flown in from New York and they decided to go out to lunch. It was September 9, 2003.

They went to Cafe Hillel in Jerusalem for a heartfelt conversation. While they were enjoying themselves, eating and talking, a suicide bomber entered and a huge blast was heard. The blast killed 7 and left 50 wounded. Nava and her father were among the 7 killed. It was the day before her wedding.

Roi Klain

While walking among the graves on Har Herzl we stood next to a tombstone that said the name Roi Klein. Our guide told us the remarkable story about Roi. Roi was a young commander of an elite unit in the Israeli Army. While leading his unit on a mission, many of his soldiers were wounded. As the commander Roi was treating the injured soldiers when a grenade was thrown at him by the enemies. Roi knew that it would take three and a half seconds for a grenade to explode and kill all of his soldiers. He made the critical decision of jumpping on the grenade while shouting the prayer. “shemah yisroel”. Roi got injured but he still continued to give orders to his soldiers on the walkie-talkie until he took his final breath. By jumping on the grenade, he saved the lives many of his soldiers.

When we were standing next to the grave, listening to the heroic story many personal thoughts went through our heads. One of them was, where does a person take the strength to be such as leader and pay with his life to save his fellow friends ? Roi was 31 years old when he died leaving a wife and two young children behind. Roi was awarded the highest honor of a soldiers, the Metal of Valor for his bravery and courage.

Michael Levin

While paying respect to the many graves on Har Herzl, our attention was focused on a tomb stone that was decorated with sport hats, logos, an American t-shirt, different college hats, and American souvenirs. The name said Michael Levin. The guide read our facial expressions and told us the following story: Michael Levin was born in Pennsylvania and grew up in Philadelphia. He always wanted to volunteer and to serve in the IDF in a combat unit even though he was American. Michael came to Israel and studied Hebrew in a Kibbutz. Michael volunteered to be a Paratrooper even though he didn’t have because he was an American Citizen.

He demand to be sent to the battleground of the 2^nd Lebanon War, and that is where he found his death. His family debated where to bury but decided since Michael wanted so badly to serve in the army, that they buried him next to his friends on Har-Herzl in Israel. We couldn’t help thinking that here is a guy like us, born and raised in the United States, that wanted so badly to serve in the IDF, and what a price he paid. The only thing that we can do is remember him and share his story.

Daniel Shiran

In our visit to the Reali school, we came upon a memorial wall for all the Reali graduates that lost their lives to protect their country, or in the hands of a terrorist. One of the names that was inscribed across the black rusted wall was the name Daniel Shiran.

Daniel attended the Reali school from the time he was in kindergarten. Daniel was a dedicated student, an excellent athlete, a role model for his younger brother and sister, and overall a fantastic friend. Since he was a child, Daniel wished to be a combat soldier in the Israeli Army. Despite his parents protest, Daniel decided to leave. Just before he left for the next war he went to visit his family. He left his home with a case of Cola in one hand, and pita bread and cake in the other. That was the last time his family saw him on this earth. As Daniel ran to meet his friends, his father looked back and waved him goodbye - for the last time.

Daniel was killed on August 4, 2006 in the second lebanon war. Daniel was 20 years old. We know Daniel died for his country, his family, his friends, and for us. Which begs the question....what would you die for?