Altit, David (Dede)

David (Dede), son of Hannah and Abraham, was born on March 24, 1954, in Casablanca, Morocco, and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1958. He studied at the “Shiva” elementary school in the region and later graduated from the school ORT vocational school in Holon. Dede was a member of the Ha – Shomer ha – Tsa’ir youth movement. He began his career in the “Azor” group and moved with his family to Holon to join the Dekel nest. Later, when it was decided at the Dekel nest to adopt the “Azor” nest, David was chosen to instruct in the adopted nest, with his friends at the beginning of his career in the movement. Dede was a sports fan, excelled at running long distances and jumping high and represented his school “ORT” in sports competitions. He was a music lover and during his elementary school studies he played trumpet and was also a member of the school orchestra. He later improved his playing in the flute and drove to space on party nights and meetings with his friends. He was a cheerful boy and loved pranks, but he was serious about his approach to life. He was always willing to help others, especially the children, for he loved them and had a special affection for them. Dede was a loyal son and devoted to his parents and family. David worked for the army in early May 1972 and was assigned to the armored corps as a tank driver. After completing an artillery-tank course, he was assigned to one of the armored corps. He was a responsible and disciplined soldier and served as an example to his friends in his devotion, passivity and good temper. During the Yom Kippur War, Dede took part in the battles against the Egyptians on the Sinai front. On October 15, 1973, he was killed in the “Chinese farm” area when his tank was hit by enemy fire. At first he was considered missing, but his body was later identified and he was brought to eternal rest in the Kiryat Shaul cemetery. Survived by his parents, brothers and sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to corporal. The parents of graduates of the ORT school who fell in the war set up a fund to commemorate their sons, which would grant scholarships to needy students.