On Tuesday, the morning of Memorial Day Eve in Israel, AMIT Hatzor HaGlilit students walked the entire day and covered 22 kilometers on the Israel Trail, walking from the Arbel Cliffs to the home of Oron Shaul’s family. The students, led by their principal Avichai Golan, went to say, “We have not forgotten Oron.” Givati Brigade soldier Staff Sergeant Oron Shaul, 22, was killed in action in the Gaza Strip in 2014. Oron and Lt. Hadar Goldin, of the Givati Brigade’s Reconnaissance Company, are the two soldiers whose remains have not been recovered.
Eitan Ashkenazi, an AMIT Hatzor student and one of the organizers of the march, spoke about the rationale of their deed. “Especially this week, which is dedicated to the memory of Israel’s fallen soldiers, we must not forget those who fell for their country and whose parents do not even have a grave to mourn at,” said Ashkenazi. Oron’s parents Zahava and Herzl Oron were incredibly moved by this gesture. At the memorial ceremony held near the family home when the students arrived, Zahava Oron expressed her gratitude. “Thank you, you amazing young people. We have gone through two extremely difficult years. Seeing you here today brings us light. The hole in our hearts gets increasingly larger as time goes on, and it is very difficult for us to celebrate Independence day without Oron. I hope that next year Independence Day will be different for us.” Avihai Golan said it was the students’ idea to march in support of the Shaul family. “Oron Shaul gave everything for his country, and we must bring him to rest in Israel,” said Golan. “We instill giving and chesed in our students, and this initiative to express support to Oron’s family is very touching.”
