First Sergeant Major michael katz
There is a broken piece of the helicopter hanging on the wall outside of the Katz’s family house in Mitzpe Netufa. In the entry of their house, there is a picture hanging on the wall, that Michael drew two years before the tragedy. In the picture, a soldier is holding up his hands to the sky, when over him there is a helicopter. His father, David: “This picture has turned into a terrible premonition and a memorial corner. It shocked us to see it. We knew he drew, but it surprised us to see that he chose to draw that scenario. Miki had golden hands and he drew everything; sewed by hand and with a machine and invented all sorts of patents. He had a huge collection of old records and he loved music and literature.”
Shlomit, his mother: “Miki was pretty introverted and barely said anything about his actions in the army. He knew Tom Kitian and they advanced together in the army. I remember that we were surprised that he turned into a combat soldier with such motivation. Miki consulted with me a lot. Even during the army, when he was guiding new recruits and he ran into personal issues, he would ask my opinion as a social worker. After the tragedy, I understood that there was a great gap between what I learned about different grief and mourning models and what actually happens. Time allows for organizing for and returning to your routine, but it doesn’t heal. You only miss him more and more.”
Shlomit, his mother: “Miki was pretty introverted and barely said anything about his actions in the army. He knew Tom Kitian and they advanced together in the army. I remember that we were surprised that he turned into a combat soldier with such motivation. Miki consulted with me a lot. Even during the army, when he was guiding new recruits and he ran into personal issues, he would ask my opinion as a social worker. After the tragedy, I understood that there was a great gap between what I learned about different grief and mourning models and what actually happens. Time allows for organizing for and returning to your routine, but it doesn’t heal. You only miss him more and more.”