David Sarel
צילום: דובר צה"ל
Brown beret for brother of soldier killed in 'Black Friday'
David Sarel, brother of Major Benaya Sarel, who died in tragic incident in Gaza during Operation Protective Edge, says his brother would be proud upon completing Golani trek.
"Half an hour before Benaya was killed, he tried to call me. I didn't reach the phone in time and by the time I called him back it was too late," recalled David Sarel, whose brother Major Benaya Sarel was killed in the dark events of the IDF's 'Black Friday' in Rafah.
Sarel enlisted in the historic brigade and was accepted into the reconnaissance battalion two weeks before his brother, commander of Givati Brigade's reconnaissance battalion, was killed along with Staff Sergeant Liel Gidoni and Second Lieutenant Hadar Goldin.
Nearly seven months after that painful loss, 19-year-old David finished on Thursday the 70-km track which marks a milestone in a Golani cadet's career – the day he receives his brown beret.
David Sarel during the 70-km trek (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) (צילום: דובר צה"ל)
A resident of Kiryat Arba, Sarel, the newly-minted Golani soldier said he knew his brother would be proud of him.
David Sarel finishes the Golani march (צילום: דובר צה"ל)
Major Sarel and Staff Sgt. Gidoni were killed in the kidnapping incident of 2nd. Lt. Hadar Goldin; a Ynet reporter was embedded with the two Givati soldiers two days before their death.
"My brother was Givati and Golani is also an excellent brigade. It was either Golani or Givati for me," said the younger Sarel to Ynet. "Yesterday we began the 70-km trek at six in the morning. Today we finished the track and I got my beret. It was a moment of pride and I know my brother is always watching from above and is proud of me."
David said that his brother's memory has overwhelmed him at certain points during his army service. "Many times when I am walking there are situations in which I think, 'what would he have said about what I'm doing' or how he used to call me – then I remember his voice."
Sarel wearing his brown beret with his mother (Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit) (צילום: דובר צה"ל)
He remembered: "When I enlisted and was accepted into the Golani reconnaissance battalion he told me that he was proud of me."
His family members were as excited as David. But, he said sadly, "I missed my brother intensely during the ceremony."
The younger Sarel explained that the family legacy helped his choice to become a combat soldier. "The thought that he is always watching gives me the strength to continue. I made the choice to become a combat soldier and didn't want to serve merely as support. My father fought in the First Lebanon War and all the family members served in important roles in the army."
He added: "From my point of view this was clear, and I am only beginning. I intend to give my all and be the best that I can be."
