President of the State Yitzhak Herzog opened the ceremony for outstanding soldiers at the President's House on the 76th Independence Day of the State of Israel this morning (Tuesday).
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The event opened with a flypast, with the participation of the Air Force's combat aircraft and helicopters, saluting the outstanding soldiers representing all branches of the military.
Herzog addressed the pilots on the communications network and said: "Soldiers, commanders, and commanders of the Israel Defense Forces - on land, in the air, and at sea. On behalf of the people of Israel, I would like to strengthen your hands and say thank you. Your determination and heroism are the hope and future of our country."
The event, which becomes especially festive every year, has been adapted to the spirit of the times and will award the presidential medals to 120 outstanding soldiers. This year, the event is being held in a limited capacity and only the families of the outstanding soldiers have been invited.
Herzog said at the beginning of the ceremony: "This year, we are on a different Independence Day. We are proud of our independence, of the miracle that is the State of Israel, but our hearts are full of sadness and pain. There are also beloved and dear bereaved families here with us. These days we are full: the pain of bereavement, the pain of the wounded, the pain of citizens displaced from their homes, the pain of those kidnapped. I repeat: There is no greater commandment than the redemption of captives. And as I said – we must act courageously and choose life. We will not rest or be silent. We will not rest or be silent – until the daughters and sons return to their borders."
Herzog added: "The very existence of this ceremony is a declaration by all of us: We will not let the enemy defeat us. We must continue to play, together, the historic, moving, binding melody of our people, and of our beloved country - the State of Israel. A melody that is woven from generation to generation, a melody that is entirely an eternal command: The people of Israel live."
The president said to the honorees: "You, along with all the male and female servants in the IDF, and all the male and female servants in various forms in the security, internal security, emergency and rescue services, are all symbols of a young and wonderful generation. An Israeli generation imbued with a mission of leadership and giving. A generation of hope."
Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi told the selected honorees: "Among you are city dwellers and country dwellers, natives of the land and immigrants from six continents, representatives of all religions and ethnicities, including those who grew up in ultra-Orthodox society and serve in the IDF."
"How good it would be for him that in a few years, more of his sons will sit in the ranks of the outstanding, and prove that it is possible to maintain one's religious identity and way of life, while at the same time excelling in military service for the people and the state. 'Safra and Sipa' - they are not opposites but rather complementary. This is a clear national security need."
"The outstanding are the beautiful faces of the State of Israel. On these beautiful faces are furrows of joy and wrinkles of sadness. Some of you have lost a close family member in the war. Some of you belong to communities that were evacuated from their homes for their safety. Everyone knows someone from the fallen and wounded, and perhaps also from the families of the kidnapped, for whose return we all hope and work."
Unlike every year, Halevi and Herzog are not sitting on stage, but together with the ceremony audience. The event opened with President Yitzhak Herzog and the Chief of Staff reviewing the ranks of the honorees, and then moved to the main stage. The ceremony is being held under the theme of war heroes and heroines.
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