Bernblit, Avraham-Moshe (‘Avi’)

Son of Yitzhak and Hanna, was born on July 4, 1954 in Hadera. He studied at the Itamar elementary school in Netanya and continued his studies at the ORT Netanya vocational high school with a specialization in mechanics. My father was an optimistic, cheerful person, full of joy and very friendly. He became friends easily and his friends loved him and admired him for his good qualities and his easy nature. In his youth he was known as a great mischievous and prankster. But the older he got, the more serious he became. He excelled in the love of man, in the love of the land, in the spirit of volunteerism. He was always the first to offer help to all who needed it, and above all to his mother, especially the hard jobs in the household. He was introduced to the IDF at the beginning of August 1972 and assigned to the Ordnance Corps. After basic training and after completing a course in the Sherman tank turret, he was assigned to one of the units of the Ordnance Corps. He soon became fond of his comrades in the unit and his commanders. As always, he devoted himself to his work and succeeded in it. In their opinion, his commanders wrote that he was a loyal soldier, a good professional, efficient and dedicated to his work, honest and entrepreneurial. My father participated in the Yom Kippur War, worked in places that were in great danger and left safely. After the war he was awarded the ‘Yom Kippur War Medal’. Prior to his enlistment, he undertook to serve for another year in the career army in order to work in his military service. When he was discharged from regular service, he was assigned to a reserve unit and was sometimes called up for reserve duty. My father was hired to work at the Abir factory in Netanya, and after a short period of time he joined it to the satisfaction of his superiors. He continued to help his parents and together with this he began to build his future. In January 1978, he was again called up for reserve duty, and as usual he fulfilled every task he was given with joy and will. On 27.1.1978 he was injured while carrying out his duties and was transferred to Tel Hashomer Hospital. For four days the doctors struggled for his life, but without success. On the 31st of Shvat 5738 (31.1.1978) Avi died of his wounds. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Netanya. Survived by his parents and sister. A few months after his death, his father died. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, the commander of the unit wrote: “Abraham served in my unit as a five-turret for a very short period of time, and yet he quickly became fond of us all.