Azulay, Shalom (Charlie)

Son of Yvonne and Joshua, he was born on 20 April 1953 in Casablanca, Morocco, immigrated to Israel and he settled in Jaffa in 1960. After graduating from elementary school, he went to work to earn a living and to help his parents. After basic training he was sent to various courses, and was finally assigned to the reconnaissance company of the glorious 7C Brigade. He was a good soldier, loyal, devoted and responsible. His commanders appreciated him for his high level of performance, his willingness to contribute as much as he could to his unit, and the fact that he was a reasonable and calculating soldier who took his steps with reason and caution. Together with his friends he went through the Yom Kippur War and saw the best of his company falling in battle. He returned from the war broken and shaken. After he was released from regular service, Charlie went to France to relax and see the world. After returning to Israel, he began working for a television company and earned a living. He was a family man. Charlie spent his time with his family, always trying to help everyone in the family get along in life and spared no effort to help them. In 1976 he married and established a home and family. Two years later he had a daughter, and he was very happy with her. Everyone knew him as a father and an exemplary husband, dedicated and caring for his family and trying to give them as much as he could. Although he had a family of his own, Charlie did not neglect his parents and made sure to help them whenever he was asked. When his father fell ill, Charlie nursed him for hours at the hospital and then brought him home and he hired a private doctor to take care of him so he would not be taken to the hospital. In 1982 he purchased an apartment in Tel Aviv and decided to renovate it with his own hands. For three months Charlie worked and worked, renovated and built until he was satisfied with his work and his apartment was lavishly renovated. From time to time Charlie was called for reserve duty and always did his duty willingly. When the Peace for Galilee War broke out, they did not call him. On his own initiative, he called the unit and asked to join his fellow fighters, and as a result was drafted and sent to Lebanon. On 2 Tamuz, June 23, 1982, Charlie fell in combat in Lebanon during the Peace for Galilee War, and was brought to rest in the military cemetery in Holon. He left behind a wife, daughter, parents, four brothers and a sister. A parking lot in the Eshta’ol Forest, bearing the names of three of its members, who fell with him in Lebanon was established.