Chitrov, Zvi (‘Zvika’)

Son of Zalman and Riva. Was born on April 2, 1953, in Vilna, the Soviet Union, as the only child of parents who survived the Holocaust. In 1960, when Zvika was seven years old, the family immigrated to Israel and, after shaking, settled in Kiryat Haim. From the children of his age, he quickly learned the Hebrew language and entered the AD Gordon Elementary School, and from an early age he was active in the Hanoar Haoved Vehalomed movement – first as an apprentice and later as a mentor. Zvika moved to the Kiryat Haim High School from the elementary school, and the teachers noted him as a good student, who tried to fulfill his duty with dedication and persistence and liked his classmates, spent time and energy guiding the young cadets in the movement. In the framework of the Gadna, his favorite sport hobby was diving to the depths of the sea, after two years of high school, Zvika decided to choose the course of my life He was trained in technical skills and also adapted without difficulty to the new regime of strict military discipline, whereupon the way to the Air Force was clear, and in April 1972 he was drafted into the IDF and quickly ascended the ranks, After successfully passing a course on electric-powered aircraft. In his profession he participated in the Yom Kippur War. He completed his regular service, and without hesitation signed a permanent service commitment. Was promoted to the rank of First Sergeant and was intended to combine a higher professional and a command. In his service portfolio there are many things in Zvika’s praises: “Responsible and devoted to work, he knows how to organize the commandos well, a cheerful soldier and always shows willingness to help.” Elsewhere: “A soldier with high motivation, good management ability … is capable of contributing to raising morale in the squadron, and very positive in every respect.” Indeed, Zvika served as the center of the unit’s social life. With his calm, cheerful temper, he could cheer up those around him and resolve any quarrel. Quite a few people were assisted by him in difficult situations. In the squadron he knew the future to be his wife: Smadar. They married and rented an apartment, and Tzvika repaired with his own hands and repaired everything that required repair. However, it was not three weeks after the wedding, and fate was cruel to Zvika. He fell at his base while carrying out his duties – on the 19th of Sivan 5737 (5.6.1977). He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Haifa. Left behind a wife and parents. Zvika’s commander wrote to the young widow: “We are all mourners and bow their heads in memory of Staff Sergeant Zvi Hitrov, who served faithfully and served as a model for his comrades in the squadron, his work and especially his good spirit.” The bereaved parents , Called Zvika.