IDF chief salutes fallen soldiers as graves adorned with Israeli flags
Gadi Eisenkot attended the military ceremony held on Mt. Herzl ahead of Memorial Day: 'I pledge before you that IDF will continue to accompany you and hug you, will continue to carry memory of your loved ones.'
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"This is our way to salute our sons and daughters who set out on their mission, acted on the values of commitment, friendship and love of country, and gave their lives for the same purpose - protecting the country and its people," said Eisenkot.
To the bereaved families he pledged, "the IDF will continue to support and embrace you, it will continue to carry the memory of your loved ones, continue their way and return here every year to salute each and every one of them with reverence. Today we also remember the IDF’s missing and the fallen soldiers whose place of burial is unknown, and we promise that we will not rest until all are returned to our borders.”
The ceremony was also attended by Police Commissioner Roni Alsheikh, Israel Prison Service Commissioner Ofra Klinger, deputy director-general of the Defense Ministry and the head of the Families and Commemoration Department Aryeh Mualem, the head of the Yad Labanim organization Eli Ben-Shem and the head of the IDF Widows and Orphans organization Nava Shoham-Solan.
The annual ceremony to adorn the fallen soldiers' graves with flags was held for the 15th consecutive year. The IDF will now work to place flags on every fallen soldier's grave in all cemeteries in Israel by Memorial Day on Wednesday.
