Pardesa, Amir-Zion

Son of Miriam and Menashe, was born on June 15, 1966 in Moshav Avital in the Jezreel Valley. After Amir was born, his family moved to Jaffa. He attended the “Jonah the Prophet” elementary school in Jaffa and the “New High School” in Tel Aviv. A handsome boy was Amir, serious, yet full of life and playfulness. He was 10 years old when he discovered the world of literature, which fascinated him all his short life. Amir read Yaffa literature and science books, and especially liked to read about the history of the Jewish people. During his high school studies, he wrote a work on the Holocaust period. He loved sports, played soccer and practiced running, and liked to hear music of various kinds. Amir excelled in qualities of kindness, honesty and modesty. His friends loved him, for his gentleness and his willingness to listen to them. He finished high school with high grades. He hoped to continue his academic studies after serving in the IDF, and aspired to be a teacher of history or communications, and in August 1984 he joined the IDF and served in the Armored Corps. On February 17, 1985, when his unit trained to throw grenades from a passenger tank, a grenade exploded in his hand and he was killed. Amir was 19 years old and his unit commander wrote: “Zion was a diligent and dedicated soldier who strove to be my armor. He was killed the day before he was ordained a professional crew member.” After he was killed, he was awarded the “Armored Corps Medal. “He was laid to rest at the military cemetery in Holon, where Amir left behind his parents, sisters and a brother.