Yoram Cohen, whose son Adi, 19, died Wednesday in a fierce firefight in southern Lebanon says that had his son been granted a last wish he would probably be telling his comrades to "be strong and of good courage."
A week ago, Adi Cohen survived a close call when he stayed at the lower floor of a building targeting by Hizbullah fighters. The structure, near the village of Maroun al-Ras, was used by paratroopers at the time and the attack left one soldier on the top floor dead.
Adi was born and raised in the town of Hadera, north of Tel Aviv, and grew up near the beach.
"He was a beach boy, an instructor at the YMCA, and had a very big soul," his father said. "He wanted to give to the country and he did it."
Yoram Cohen says that despite his own hesitation, his son chose to join a combat unit.
"I was scared, I didn't want anything to happen to him, but he insisted. He wanted to contribute to the country and also boost his own personality," the father said.
Adi joined Paratroop Unit 1001 nine months ago and finished the demanding track about a month ago, earning the coveted red beret. His father says that Adi did not say much about what was going on in Lebanon.
"He told us that he needs to regain his composure quickly and realize he's on a genuine playing field and not in a training session," Yoram said.
The father added that family members were deeply concerned ever since Adi was sent to Lebanon.
"You keep repressing all the time and lie to yourself," Yoram said. "You look up to God and ask that he watch over him. We couldn't sleep at night with the kid there…I ask his friends to be strong. Despite the sorrow and pain that befell us, we'll continue to be strong."
Adi Cohen is survived by his parents, Tzipora and Yoram, and three brothers, Avner, 24, Tom, 16, and Omer, 13. The funeral procession will begin at the family home at 4:30 PM and continue to Hadera's military cemetery.