Kirichuk, Dennis

Calva and Alexander’s eldest son. He was born on the 12th of Tevet 5740 (12.1.1980) in Balchi, Moldova. Brother to Ruslan. Dennis was a mischievous boy and glad that the smile did not leave his face. He did not grow tall, but for that he compensated for the strength he had. In addition to his studies in elementary school, he studied Hebrew at the Jewish Community Center in his hometown. When Dennis was ten years old, Dennis began to practice boxing and stick to this bug. The sport became a significant part of his life and every free moment he went to practice. Perseverance paid off, for Dennis had achieved considerable achievements in boxing: first he won first place in the national competitions; Later, he went to the international stage, won first place and became the champion of the Moldovan state in boxing. Dennis continued his high school studies in Moldova. He devoted most of his time to boxing, and as a result began his studies. However, when he reached the 10th grade, he recovered, “took himself by the hand” and achieved good achievements in his studies as well. In 1997, Dennis’s family immigrated to Israel and decided to settle in Ashdod, where his uncle, the mother’s brother, lived. Dennis quickly absorbed himself, acquired friends and studied in the automotive mechanics program at the Youth Center. For about half a year he tried to continue with boxing, but this was not helped because he did not find a suitable coach. The school was impressed by his abilities and suggested that he move to a better school, but Dennis was forced to stop his studies entirely due to financial problems and went to work to help support the family. At first he worked as a sales agent for textbooks and encyclopedias and was named an outstanding agent, and later went to work at the Soda-Club factory in Mishor Adumim, where his mother worked as well. For abandoning the fist he compensated himself with regular training at the gym near his home. At the end of April 1999, Dennis enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces and was assigned to the maintenance corps, and after successfully completing a training course at the 6th Battalion, he was assigned to the Nachshon Battalion and served as a cook. He was very pleased with the way he worked and functioned in the kitchen, and his commanding officer, Ariel, was very pleased with the way he worked and functioned. Dennis was a devoted son and brother, a sympathetic and friendly man who loved to help at all times. He loved life, remained optimistic and began planning plans for the period after his discharge from the IDF On January 17, 2000, Dennis fell in the line of duty when he was 20. He was brought to eternal rest in the military cemetery in Ashdod. Yoram Lardo, commander of the unit, wrote to the family: “Dennis served in my unit as a cook for five months during which he showed great responsibility and seriousness, and as a result he was appointed shift supervisor in the kitchen department. Dennis, a courteous, smiling, pleasant man who was admired by his commanders and loved by his friends. Dennis left us without knowing why. He left a grieving family, painful commanders and stunned friends. The Kirichuk family, we, the commanders and soldiers of the Nachshon Battalion, lost a friend, but you lost the most precious. Be strong, we share your deep mourning and hope you will not know any more sorrow. “