Mochmel, Eitan

Eitan, son of Avelin and Abraham, was born on January 6, 1955, in Petah Tikva. He studied at the Yad LaBanim elementary school and Amal B secondary school, both in Petah Tikva, although the family moved to Kfar Ganim. Eitan was a member of the “HaNoar HaOved” youth movement, the local shooting club and Gadna-Air, and his love for everything related to flying began from an early age and long hours. He worked on building model airplanes and running plywood gliders Eitan, or Muki, as his family called him, When he was a boy, he began to work in the air industry in Lod, saving some of his money for the future, and the remaining one spent on buying accessories. Eitan was drafted into the IDF in late April 1973 and assigned to the Artillery Corps. When he completed his work in the air industry, he was given a letter of recommendation to the recruitment office, which was vital because it could be very useful. But the decision of the selection officer at the absorption base was different, and therefore he was assigned to the artillery corps. During his short service in the unit, Eitan was fond of both his commanders and his friends. He managed to make a good impression on his commanders, and they arranged courses to fit his skills, but he did not have time to participate. In the Yom Kippur War he served as a field artillery in the northern sector of the Suez Canal in Sinai. On October 7, 1973, Eitan was hit and fell in a clash with an Egyptian commando unit. He was brought to eternal rest in the Petach Tikva cemetery. Survived by father, mother, brother and sister. After his fall, he was promoted to corporal. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “Eitan was fond of his comrades in the unit, and fell courageously and bravely when transporting ammunition.” The family set up a natural room in the Yad LaBanim school in Petah Tikva. This room is designed for the study of nature in comfortable and sophisticated conditions, and in its corner is a monument in memory of Eitan, which describes his fall – the work of his uncle; His friends commemorated him in a shield made out of olive wood.