Mittelman, Eliyahu (“Eli”, “The Lonely Tiger”)

Son of Menashe and Yona. He was born on August 13, 1952 in Kfar Saba. He studied at the elementary school in Petach Tikvah and afterward, when he began training in the Hanoar Haoved movement, he found his way to the youth group in the Rosh HaNikra group, where he attended Gesher Haziv High School. He was an excellent athlete and went to a lifeguard course, as an amateur. He liked to work in the field, drive a tractor and was naturally attached to animals. Was a devoted son to his parents and treated them like a friend. He had a noble and gentle soul, Simcha and cheerful in nature. Eli was drafted into the IDF at the end of July 1970. He set himself the challenge of volunteering for an elite reconnaissance unit, and his ambition was fulfilled, and the day before his fate was cruel he came home, cheerful as ever, with a mischievous smile on his lips. This was on the 10th of Adar 5732 (February 24, 1972). He was laid to rest in the Petah Tikva cemetery. “He tried to prove that there was nothing he could not do, especially in the field of work on the kibbutz,” he said, referring to a boy who loved society and wherever he was, the loud laughter was echoing. When he was drafted into the army he wanted to prove again and again to himself and his friends that he was capable of doing ‘big things.’ After a short period of service in the Nahal Brigade, he volunteered for the reconnaissance unit and returned from some action he did not have A limit to his pride. Although the army removed him from the agriculture, he used to visit and maintain constant contact with the group. Finally, he asked to join as a member and was answered in the affirmative. “The commander of his unit wrote his parents a letter of condolence and among other things he wrote:” Your son Eli served as a combatant in our unit. Eli underwent a difficult period of training, operational employment and cross-border activity. During this period he stood out among his company’s soldiers as a fighter and as a member. He was known for his industriousness, his dedication to his role, and his willingness to help his friends. In his death we lost one of our best fighters and the fighters lost the best of friends. “