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Source: http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/An-open-letter-to-Israels-widows-and-orphans-on-Remembrance-Day-453559
An Open Letter to Israel's Widows and Orphans on Memorial Day
(Jerusalem Post) Nava Shoham-Solan - This year, as every year, many Israeli citizens will attend heart-rending ceremonies at the country's cemeteries to honor their loved ones who departed too soon while defending the Zionist dream, the Jewish state. The citizens of Israel unite on this day behind the screen of sadness, while in the background are the many stories, perhaps too many, of the fallen heroes who gave their lives for their homeland and endangered themselves for all our sakes. We don't have a real need for such a day because we live the loss every day, every hour, at every important crossroads in our lives. Yet Memorial Day is important. We receive a warm hug from all the other citizens and from the state. We feel that we are not alone in our pain. We know that thanks to our loved ones this country exists, and thanks to them most of us can sleep well and without fear. We know that they sacrificed themselves exactly for these goals, in order to ensure our future in our small land. We want to live quietly, to allow our children to live in the Promised Land and raise new generations who will continue in our path. We ask to live in peace with our neighbors. This is our country. We don't have another one. May we never know bloody wars anymore, may we live peaceful lives, and may the family of bereavement no longer continue to grow. The author is chairwoman of the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization.