Granit (Grootkerk), Ilan

Son of Shlomo and Lissie. Born on March 17, 1952 in Kibbutz Gilad, he was four years old when his parents moved to Moshav Regeva, where he studied at the local school and continued his studies at the regional high school in the Western Galilee. He was one of the pillars of the Regba volleyball team and in high school he was a Gadna commanders’ course and was one of the most outstanding. He was a member of the Archery Division in Acre and was first in the club, where he spent most of his time in sports and on Saturdays he sometimes went sailing with his girlfriend. In his home he was engaged in woodwork and painting that remained in his estate. He would easily buy friends and be loved by them. He is naturally gifted and has great influence over his friends. He did not like to sit idly by, dislike actlessness, and preferred physical action over spiritual action. He was practical but not reckless. He would do all his actions judiciously, and if he had a serious problem he would consult with others, hear their opinions and finally reach the logical conclusion. Was a serious lad with a Sabra humor. Excelled in responsibility and maturity when the act required these qualities. He was tough, but he was tough too, and he avoided hurting others. He was courageous and did everything without fear, yet he would not take upon himself an act involving unnecessary risk of life, for he knew how to appreciate life, the life he loved and was able to rejoice in. At the beginning of August 1970 he was drafted into the IDF and aspired to reach the Golani reconnaissance unit, but he served as a regular soldier for only three months, on 27 October 1970. He was brought to rest at the cemetery in Regba. After he fell, his educator wrote: “I will remember your charming smile, the smile that demanded absolution and, thanks to him, I did not find the strength to even get angry at you sometimes. – – – stands before your candor to the love of life. That’s how your good and gentle manner combined. – – The land of your growth in the moshav outlined your modest and peaceful character. Your primary trait was your kindness; You seem to have been joined together by qualities from childhood and natural and rooted education, in a humble labor house. “The commander of the unit wrote in a letter of condolence to his parents:” Ilan was a model soldier in his unit. He was devoted to his work, responsible and meticulous in his actions and in his words, that he was also among the soldiers of the unit, a unit of combat character whose service was not easy and that his qualities and ability would certainly entitle him to be counted among the soldiers.