Ben Vera and Nachum. Born on 12 February 1979 in Jerusalem, a young brother to Tal and a graduate of Lanir. Eran or Arno, as he was called by those close to him, was born in the Ramat Sharet neighborhood of Jerusalem, a beautiful baby that passers-by could not help but pinch his round cheeks with dimples and look into his blue eyes. And the smile, what a smile. A smile that will grow, expand and become a trademark. When he was three years old, the family moved to Ramot Alon, where he went to kindergarten and then to the Yehonatan Netanyahu elementary school, where Eran, with the freckles on his nose and smile, caught the hearts of the teachers. Smiling, staring playfully, conspicuous in the pranks with the good friends suddenly decide to be a serious student and then your face takes on an adult look and you follow every instruction very carefully … until the first note that comes to you, or alternatively, some plane that flies and landed on your desk. “A huge smile is spread over a freckled and illuminating face …” Studies? School? “When I grow up I will be a bus driver because I love to drive,” he wrote in the booklet ‘About Me’ In the second grade, he was satisfied with a bicycle, a lively child who loved to play soccer, went to aerospace and aerobics, loved to play drums and was very fond of touring. “Eran was always happy and the same joy of life he was in was making sure to pass on to us.” His high school studies He did architecture at the Ort Neviim school, and here, too, the smile and the laughter here, and here, too, many friends, who say that Eran was “the king of parties and entertainment.” He loved being a DJ and dancing on the dance floor, surrounded by friends, “The dream of being a bus driver has given way to the dream of being a successful businessman … This is of course after a combat service in the paratroopers. At the end of his high school studies, Eran suggested that everyone write something from his personal diary, so that if one of them “went” his personal words could be read. So, Eran wrote: “My dear diary! If we try to activate the memory, then the most beautiful moment in the school I spent on the annual eleventh grade trip to Eilat, where we did not stop laughing – was strong. On the one hand I’m glad I finally finished with this school but on the other hand I’m sure I’ll miss the friends with whom I’ve spent three beautiful and funny years. Soon the army will arrive and of course a ‘tool’ like me will go to combat (paratroopers). After the army you will probably hear of me as a successful businessman. Hello friends. “He dreamed of joining the paratroopers and putting on his red beret on November 20, 1997. After completing his army service, he enlisted in Paratroopers Brigade 202, and was filled with pride: Eran was” poisoned “by the paratroopers and gave the soul in the full sense of the word. A man who is pleasant, friendly, loves life, sensitive to those around him, smiles and has a sense of humor, a soldier who is very motivated to serve in the paratroopers. You were an example of a leading person, a volunteer and an initiator. “His friends in the military service are reminded:” With your deep eyes and with such a smile Your naughty, honest smile made you like the guys and become a central part of us. We remember aThe long journeys, how you were ‘poisoned’ to go out to them and like a man, you ate the many kilometers until sometimes it seemed that you were not making any effort. “Another friend writes:” Weekend, you have to go home to Jerusalem. I’m unlucky and I fall in death numbers. Eran hears that I’m staying Saturday. He returns after five minutes and says he also volunteered to stay, to pass the Sabbath with me. “Eran continued to perform his duties faithfully as a Nafkadon driver and did not forget his role as the departmental theorist: “Remember the aliyah with you to Lebanon, remember the laughs they wanted with you at the Artichoke Marby. The members also remember a special dance that Eran invented, and the entire department studied, danced and never forgot. “Towards the end of the year 5759, after a period of intensive operational activity in Lebanon, Eran was supposed to take a vacation with the entire department. Instead, he was asked to return to the Taibeh post with another platoon where his Nakpadon driver was on holiday. While preparing for the convoy’s entry into Lebanon, Eran was injured in his hand, treated by the paramedic, dressed and embarked on the mission with a promise that he would be replaced as soon as possible. Later that night a team of Paratroopers arrived in Nafdun, led by Eran, under the command of an armored tank crew from the Taibe post to operate over the Litani River , Which consisted of “ironing” a position with a “non-Jew” in preparation for an artichoke ambush, a front position on one of the cliffs known to be problematic, difficult and dangerous, and the crew on a day of rest. Was new, did not know the area in its entirety, did not clearly identify the location of the position, and did not warn about the dangerous proximity of the position to the language Eran, which was placed by the commander of the force, continued driving and the armored vehicle (Nakpadon) went down 300 meters to the Litani river and was crushed at the bottom of the abyss. For several hours, fearing Hezbollah fighters would try to snatch the bodies or hit the infantry rescue forces, the IAF’s 669 soldiers, who arrived with Saar helicopters, To rescue Eran. The day after the holiday, Eran was buried in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl, in Jerusalem, before he was twenty. After his death, Eran was promoted to sergeant. Survived by his parents, sister, brother, family and many friends. Thousands accompanied him on his last journey. His commanders, friends, and family members eulogized him. Everyone carries his smile. The commission of inquiry established to investigate the disaster determined in its conclusions that it is impossible to find any fault with the skill of Eran, who took part despite his “youth” in 25 Artichoke marches as a Nakpadon driver. The battalion commander, Lt. Col. Hagai, wrote to the family: “Eran embarked on the mission with the same determination and seriousness as he did for any other mission he performed during his military service, but it ended in disaster. It was not the red color of the beret that motivated him, but the content and the spirit – the spirit of volunteerism and fighting – you raised an exemplary son who volunteered to serve in a combat unit, which in itself is not routine in our times. “
