Soldiers salute Holocaust survivors
More than 8, 000 soldiers visit homes of Holocaust survivors, pay tribute to their victory, personal contribution to Israel
Some 8,000 soldiers serving in the various branches of the Israel Defense Forces visited the homes of 5,500 Holocaust survivors on Monday, to honor them with merit certificates.
The visits were part of the "A Flower for the Survivor" initiative, organized for the fourth year in a row by the Foundation for the Benefit of the Holocaust Victims in Israel, the IDF and Kibbutz Lohamei Hagetaot.
The campaign, "IDF salutes Holocaust survivors," held on behalf of the IDF and the State, is meant to pay tribute to Holocaust survivors and acknowledge their victory and personal contribution, while exposing the soldiers to the humane and moving stories of survivors who have founded Israel.
The project expands its scope each year, as more and more soldiers offer to take part in it. This is one of the largest, most valued initiatives taken in Israel in paying homage to holocaust survivors who have endured the depths of inferno.
"This is a blessed initiative," said Ze'ev Factor and Moshe Shchori, who head the Foundation for the Benefit of the Holocaust Victims in Israel.
"It is important to connect the past to the future, and the embrace of IDF soldiers symbolizes for each Holocaust survivor the hope and continuity for which they have struggled and survived."
