Berger, Elias
Elias (Eli), son of Esther and Joseph, was born on 15.8.1948 in Romania and immigrated to Israel with his family in 1964. Eli was a sports enthusiast and very enthusiastic about soccer and was one of the members of the football team of Maccabi Or- Armored Corps. After basic training he completed a tank artillery course and participated in the Six-Day War and the War of Attrition that followed. He was an outstanding gunman, responsible and devoted to his role, was an example to his friends in his good temper, his passivity and obedience, and was loved by his commanders. For his participation in the war in 1967 he was awarded the “Six-Day War” Award. After being released from regular service, he was called for periods of reserve duty in the Sinai. Eli was tall and handsome. He was naturally quiet and self-contained, with a good, reassuring smile on his face. He was friendly and always willing to help others. In every job he did, he was diligent and persistent, serious and stubborn, and therefore served as an example to his friends in his manner and honesty. As a man he was honest and conscientious. In 1972 he married his girlfriend Dolly and eventually they had a daughter. As a family man he was a devoted son, a loyal husband and a loving father. During the Yom Kippur War, Eli took part in the braking battles against the Egyptians on the Sinai front. In the battle that took place on the 12th of Tishrei 5734 (October 8, 1973), near the Firdan Bridge, Elias was hit in his tank and killed on the spot. At first he was considered missing, and later his body was identified and he was brought to eternal rest in the Or Akiva cemetery. He left behind a wife and daughter, a mother, three brothers and three sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant. His family published a booklet in his memory that included the words of the family and friends about his character, memoirs and photographs.
