Levy addresses the soldiers
Photo: Elad Gershgoren
After 25 years of helping lone soldiers: 'I salute you'
WATCH: Col. (res.) Tzvika Levy, who is now suffering from muscular dystrophy, made a point of being at the swearing-in ceremony of the latest batch of soldiers who immigrated to Israel to serve; he addresses the new soldiers in a moving speech; 'Be exemplary, because we have no other country.'
For the past 25 years, Tzvika Levy has travelled to IDF bases to meet the thousands of immigrants who left their lives to immigrate to Israel and volunteer for the IDF to serve the Jewish state. He was there for them in place of the families and friends that they left behind in their countries of origin.
About a month after reaching the enlistment center and completing the first level of basic training, hundreds of recruits stood on the northern Michve Alon base's parade ground on January 12 to swear their allegiance to the IDF and the State of Israel. Alongside them, once again, was Col. (res.) Tzvika Levy, despite his suffering for more than the past year from muscular dystrophy.
Tzvika Levi at Mikhve Alon (צילום: אלעד גרשגורן )
Levy with a group of the lone soldiers after the ceremony (Photo: Elad Gershgoren)
"You came to protect the State of Israel, and this is the essence of Zionism," he continued. "You aren't alone any more. I brought all of you packages with warm clothing and an Israeli flag."
The base commander, Col. Dorit Maoz, speaks with Levy. (Photo: Elad Gershgoren)
"I asked to see each of your faces and to be with you. Wearing that uniform is the greatest honor. I salute you. You prolong my life and give me the elixir of life," he said. "Tomorrow is my birthday, and my birthday tomorrow is dedicated to all the lone soldiers and all the 300 guests who brought me gifts for the lone soldiers."
Levy visiting lone soldiers before falling ill
"I love you. Thank you for listening. I'll be in touch and will help as much as he can," concluded Levy to the applause of the hundreds of soldiers he so loves.
Levy visiting lone soldiers before falling ill
The ceremony ended like any other: with the singing of the national anthem. Levy's driver helped him to lift his hand in salute, together with the other officers and NCOs who were taking part in the ceremony. Dozens of lone soldiers and commanders came to see Levy at the end of the ceremony and embrace him, shake his hand and tell him how much he had moved them.
Levy addresses the soldiers in formation (Photo: Elad Gershgoren)
"I don't know if I'll be alive next year, so it was important for me to hear the moving responses of the soldiers about the meeting with me. It was one of the most moving events of my life, and I feel that it was right to be there," he concluded.
The next day, Levy celebrated his 66th birthday at the Yifat Kibbutz in the Jezreel Valley. The Kibbutz Movement and senior reserve officers have nominated Levy for the Israel Prize.
