Sergeant Adi Cohen
Adi grew up in the Givat Olga neighborhood of Hadera, near the seashore. “He was a child of the sea,” said his father Yoram. “He was a challenge sport counselor at the community center, and had a huge soul. He wanted to contribute to the country, and he did it.” Yoram says that his son chose to serve in a combat unit despite his own hesitations. “I was afraid. I didn’t want something to happen to him, but he insisted. He wanted to contribute to the country, and also to his own personality.” Adi enlisted in Unit 101 of the Paratroopers upon entering the army only nine months prior, and completed his training a month later. He was allowed some leave time, but shortly thereafter, his unit was called to active service in Lebanon. At the beginning of the week, Adi was given leave to be at the Bar Mitzvah of his brother Omer. “He was home for 24 hours. He was so happy for his brother,” said Yoram. He added that Adi didn’t talk much about what was happening in Lebanon. “He told us that he needed to get back right away, that he was in the real field and not at some exercise.”
Adi was killed in battle on August 2, 2006 in the village of Aita a-Sha’ab in southern Lebanon. He was 19 years old.
Adi was killed in battle on August 2, 2006 in the village of Aita a-Sha’ab in southern Lebanon. He was 19 years old.