Last week, Josh and I headed out at 5:30am to Tzomet Golani to participate in the Tekes Kumpta. This is a ceremony that takes place at the end of an army unit’s training, when they receive their beret and are ready for active duty. Two years ago on this exact date, we gathered in the same place with all of our boys to watch as our second soldier received his beret and started his active service. It was a summer of unrest, with protests exploding across the country about the judicial reforms.

As we ran the last kilometers with our son and stood there proudly to watch him get his beret, the energy in the crowd was overwhelming. Every single person was draped in Golani and Israeli flags, wearing a t-shirt dedicated to their soldier, or carrying a banner with a loving message. Even as the country was so divided, when it came to our Golani sons and their mission, we were united.

Two years later, I stood in the same place thinking about the pain we’ve been through since last we stood there. Since those gorgeous boys received their berets two years ago while supportive, joyful and proud families watched, how many of them have given their lives for us? How many of them, like Shiloh Rauchberger, my son’s commander, found themselves fighting against impossible odds on that hellish October 7^th and giving their own lives to keep their fellow soldiers safe?

I have returned in my mind many times over the last 21 months to the joy I saw that day, to the energy and love poured into the t-shirts, the singing, the baskets of food. I have wondered about what so many of those families have been through – those that have lost their sons in battle, those that have nurtured their sons through injury, and one family who has welcomed their son back from hundreds of days in Hamas captivity.

This time, as we drove the two hour trip to Tzomet Golani in the early hours of the morning, the news had already broken of five more soldiers killed in Gaza, and many wounded. We had to put those thoughts aside as we joined the masses in their t-shirts, their flags and their signs; as we watched our son, now an officer, giving out the berets and hugging his soldiers; as we watched them gather around him and listen to his every word.

Golani has taken heavy, heavy losses since this war started almost two years ago. And these new Golani fighters will join the ranks of those working every minute of every day to keep the nation alive, safe and whole. It is an overwhelming ask of 19, 20, 21 year old soldiers. But as a nation, we have no other way and no other choice.

As I walked around taking pictures of the proud, joyous families in their creative, satirical and adorable shirts, I felt that incredible unity again from the ceremony two years ago. And I prayed that the unity we feel at these ceremonies and the support for our beloved troops will carry through to more of the nation; that it will be enough; that our children will continue being ready to fight for us; but that soon, please Gd so, so soon they will not be called to actually have to lay down their lives for our survival anymore.

We are raising the most amazing nation of young adults ready to serve. May they set an example for those who have not, yet, come to understand the vital import of this mission. May the rest of us be worthy of their incredible bravery and dedication.

And may they head out to their active service in health, safety, and perhaps, one day, peace.