Jeff completed his 71 kilometer hike last week and received his red beret in a very moving ceremony at Ammunition Hill. His parents had come in from the States for it, and it was lovely to have dinner with them and to see them all together. It was quite cute to see all of these brave, strong soldiers limping around the field and falling asleep during the ceremony. They walked from 4 pm one afternoon to 8 am the next morning, and then had the ceremony that afternoon – so they hadn’t slept in two straight days. It’s amazing what these guys are able to do.

Jeff said that the most moving part of the hike was when they entered Jerusalem. He felt like he really “got” it in the early morning when they arrived at the city entrance. Here they were, entering the city that the Jewish people have cherished and fought for for so long – and he was having the privilege of entering it as an Israeli soldier. That’s pretty heady stuff. He said as they walked along the road, people honked and waved and showed appreciation for them in their last few kilometers. I wish I could have been there to see it.

Congratulations Jeff! You deserve it – and we are so honored to be part of your journey.