Honored trooper with GOC Southern Command
Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit
GOC Southern Command honors 20 IDF soldiers
Maj. Gen. Turgeman awards citations to 18 soldiers for acts of valor and bravery during Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, as well as one officer and one trooper who fell in combat.
GOC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman awarded commendations on Tuesday to IDF soldiers and officers who participated in Operation Protective Edge over the summer.
The 20 named in the ceremony were part of the 53 IDF officers, NCOs, and soldiers recognized for their bravery during the 50-day operation.
Eighteen soldiers received citations for their heroic actions along with two fallen friends – Lt. Col. Dolev Keidar and Staff Sergeant Avi Grintzvaig. The families of the fallen were invited to the ceremony to receive their commendations in their names.
Turgeman with honoree (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
"From the beginning of our struggle for our right to exist here we have been fighting for our independence and the freedom to live here in peace," said Maj. Gen. Turgeman at the beginning of his remarks.
Honored officer salutes his superiors (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
"For 50 days and nights the IDF fought during Protective Edge. There were days of fighting for our home, days filled with confidence in the righteousness of our way, days of striving for contact, days of unrestricted public support, and days of courage and bravery," he recalled.
Givati Staff Sergeant shakes hands with Turgeman (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
The GOC Southern Command noted that he met the combat soldiers during their preparations ahead of the ground operation and that they understood the scale of the responsibility on their shoulders. "I saw mental fortitude and deep affection; I saw inter-unit cooperation, and the sentiment of the people of Israel."
Addressing the brave soldiers, Turgeman said that "from your beliefs and your sense of duty you have added another chapter to the legacy of the IDF, which we will talk about for generations. You honor the citation with your character, your might, your levelheadedness, and your fortitude, even more than the commendation honors you."
The heroic soldiers with IDF Southern Command officers (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
During Operation Protective Edge, 67 IDF soldiers and five civilians lost their lives; the GOC Southern Command took a moment to honor their ultimate sacrifice. "I salute you, brothers in arms, our national heroes who are no longer with us. I salute to you, the parents and the siblings, the wives and the children, the significant others who bear each and every day the price of defending our people and our country."
"Sadly, not all those who we wished to recognize are with us here today; there are two who did not make it to this stage. Staff Sergeant Grintzvaig (killed while rescuing wounded colleagues) who received a commendation for his valor and for acting courageously and living the values on which he was raised at home; Lt. Col. Keidar (killed while charging at suspicious figures carrying anti-tank missiles) who received a citation for his courage – for leading his force, neutralizing the enemy, and preventing a disaster," said Turgeman at the end of his remarks.
