Adler, Itai Avi

Ben Yaffa and Yitzhak, brother to Michal. He was born in Raanana on May 25, 1977. Itai began his studies at the Ziv Elementary School in Ra’anana, continued in the “Sharon” Middle School and graduated from the Ostrovsky High School in Ra’anana, in the biological-chemical track He was a sportsman, basketball player, and during his last years he spent a lot of time in a gym and participated in a combat fitness class, and from an early age fought for his independence, knew what he wanted and stood He was a good student, a good son and a good brother, with whom he was very friendly, invested a great deal in his friends and they are in him, with a pleasant temperament and a wonderful sense of humor, who liked to go out and swim in the sea. Recalls: “Although he was a quiet, unobtrusive, was very smart boy, has his own inner world. He had a rare sense of humor, and what characterized him was a shy smile and a million friends who love him with true love. “At the end of July 1995 he enlisted with me in the IDF and served as a combat soldier in the anti-tank unit of the Nahal Brigade. His commanders saw him as a very serious, highly valued fighter, who invests above the usual, very popular in the team, and always encourages and raises the morale of his friends by virtue of his sense of humor. After he was released, he dreamed of traveling to Australia and New Zealand, working there on farms and traveling. Dreams he did not realize. On the night of the 28th of Shvat 577 (February 4, 1997), the helicopter disaster occurred when two Yasur helicopters collided over Moshav Shear Yashuv. The seventy-three fighters, who made their way to Lebanon, were killed, and with me, among them. Itai, who was on his way to the Beaufort outpost in Lebanon with his teammates and their commander, was killed shortly before completing his training course in the unit. He was twenty years old when he fell. Itai was laid to rest in the Raanana military cemetery. Survived by parents and sister. After his fall he was promoted to First Sergeant. Chief of Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak wrote to the family: “Itai served as a combat soldier in the ‘Orev Company’ of the Nahal Brigade, and was described by his commanders as a soldier and a dedicated warrior of high values ​​who invested a lot in himself in carrying out his duties. , And was popular among his commanders and friends alike. ” From the words of the commander of the unit in which he served with me: “Itai was an outstanding fighter in all his limbs. He was an exemplary fighter, adhering to the tasks assigned to him, striving for excellence in every field. Itai was the energy source of his teammates, his way of life and his wonderful sense of humor. His level of soldiering and the fact that he is a very valuable fighter gave him a very significant place in the cohesive team. “Itai invested all his energies in his military career and made great achievements with me as a man and as a warrior, and we will always remember him whenever we raise a new generation of fighters, his character and actions will inspire us and serve as role models.” Michal, Itai ‘s sister, wrote to him: “To the end of the world I will go for you / Just tell me where it is / To the end of the universe I will come towards you / Just tell me where it is. The ability to weep is lost, but where is the limit? ” Rani Ben-Ze’ev, a member of Itai’s team, wrote a poem in his memory that was recorded on a CD with other songs dedicated to the soldiers of the Dotan team who fell in the helicopter disaster: “A heart that hurts and a look that you love / you were with me / A smile that dissolves and a smile that defeats / And who will light the light / And who will light the prayer / Who will give the prayer / Who will give the prayer / And who will send the prayer / Who will give the prayer / Who will be the hero / white flower blooming in the garden / You were like me / Song played and loved everyone / One great prayer / because you were a hero / heart that hurts and a look that you love / you were like that with me. “