Sergeant Major Aharon Yehezkel
Friends said that Aharon was “the epitome of the expression ‘salt of the earth’.” Uri, a friend from Aharon’s compulsory military service, said that Aharon had undergone a period of “blossoming” after a difficult period he had experienced during the previous year. “In the past two months, he came out of himself, with his strong will and love of life. He had a new love, and his simply blossomed. It was a very meaningful time in his life.” Aharon received his emergency call-up notice a week after he returned from a trip abroad. “He returned in an excellent mood, and a week later left for reserve duty with friends from his unit. He was as excited as during his compulsory service,” Uri said. Uri said that Aharon wasn’t even supposed to be involved in the war in Lebanon, but insisted on taking part. “All year he had been in reserve service. The last time he was called, they gave him the position of company commander. This time, he told his commander that when they go into Lebanon, he wants to be among the fighting troops. I told him he was making a mistake, why should he be a fighter? But he was insistent. It seems I am making him out to be a hero or something, but this is exactly what we said. “For me, when they say ‘Salt of the Earth’, with Aharon the expression took on extra meaning. He was a moshavnik, he was tall and strong. He was tanned, always smiling, always in a good mood,” said Uri.
Aharon was killed on August 11, 2006 in the village of Rashef. He was 32 years old.
Aharon was killed on August 11, 2006 in the village of Rashef. He was 32 years old.