A day of tribute for the troops and the fallen soldiers from the battles for Gush Etzion

To the families of the honored fighters from 1948:

The Regional Councils of Gush Etzion and Efrat have joined forces, together with the Association for the Memorial of the Fallen Soldier, for a special day of honor and recognition. We would like to pay tribute to the residents, the armed forces, and the fallen soldiers that defended the Jewish settlements in Gush Etzion, the Southern Security Buffer of Jerusalem, on the eve of the establishment of the Jewish State in 1948.

It is our duty that we memorialize those that fell in the battles in our region, and show respect to the families of the fallen, the residents and the soldiers from Gush Etzion. We must pay homage to their valiant deeds and share the details of their heroic stories with all of the citizens of our country.

We all owe our living in Israel in general, and in Gush Etzion in particular, to those that captured the mountain and settled it with great valor and endless dedication. We must express our admiration to the fighters that endangered themselves in the defense of Gush Etzion.

In the words of the first Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, David Ben Gurion,

…" If there exists a Jewish Jerusalem today… our foremost appreciation for the history of Israel and for the entire nation goes to the defenders of Gush Etzion".

This special gathering will take place Wednesday, the 21st of Iyar, 5767 - May 9, 2007, in Gush Etzion.

On this special day of tribute, we are honored to invite you, along with your family and friends, to assemble together with the families of the fallen soldiers and the courageous defense forces from that time.

The event will open with a gathering of friends in the early afternoon. Following that, we will tour the well-known communities as well as the newly established ones. The day will culminate with an evening ceremony that will take place in Kfar Etzion.

Program

1:00 pm - reunion of friends in Kibbutz Kfar Etzion
2:00 pm - field trips to the outposts and communities
4:30 pm - return to Kibbutz Kfar Etzion
5:00 - 6:30 pm - ceremony

In order to prepare appropriately, we would appreciate if you indicate whether you would like to attend, along with the estimated number of family members and friends that may join you.

Please contact

011-972-2-9939969 or Fax 011-972-2-9934612

gushezif@zahav.net.il