Meir, Gavriel (Gavi, Gavri)

Son of Michoel and Chana, was born on August 3, 1926. His parents’ home was a Zionist home and he was raised in the spirit of Judaism and even in Hebrew. Immigrated to Israel in 1933. After completing his studies at Ma’aleh High School in Jerusalem, he continued to study at the agricultural school in Pardes-Hanna. His love of nature in general, and of the plants of the land and of the landscape in particular, has been expressed on several occasions; Even during long and difficult military campaigns, his heart would bend over and look at an insect or a plant. He completed a course for sports instructors and received a certificate of excellence and even a prize in boxing, the sport he liked most. For three years he served as a police officer in the Hebrew settlements. Gavriel joined the combat forces during the War of Independence in February 1948 and participated in various battles in Israel with the rank of sergeant. The idea of ​​conquering the air was close to his heart and he was one of the first to join the pilots’ course. Gavriel aspired to perfection in all his actions, and out of consistency and security devoted himself to this task. After two and a half years of great effort, he finally received the flying wings. Gavriel’s group was assigned to a combat squadron and on the 8th of Shevat 5711 (January 15, 1951), he fell in the line of duty and was laid to rest in the military cemetery at Nahalat Yitzhak. He was promoted to lieutenant after his death.