Rotem, Eitan

Son of Rivka and Aryeh, he was born on February 10, 1961 in Givat Hayim-Ihud. Eitan attended elementary and junior high schools in his kibbutz. He continued to study at the Hof Hacarmel high school, and completed the school with a humanitarian track. Eitan excelled in sports. He participated in water polo competitions and was part of the Israeli team in this sport. His group represented Israel in international competitions held in various parts of the world. As an outstanding athlete, Eitan was able to serve in the IDF as a rearguard, but he preferred to serve in a combat force, and in November 1979 he enlisted in the IDF and served in the infantry. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant. In July 1982, during the Peace for Galilee War, his departure from Israel was approved for sports competition. When he returned to Israel, Eitan returned to command his unit in Lebanon. On 29 Av, August 17, 1982, when he commanded a reconnaissance unit near the village of Abadia in Lebanon, Eitan was captured in a terrorist ambush, who opened fire and killed him. He was 21 years old. Eitan was laid to rest on the kibbutz where he was born, in Givat Hayim-Ihud. He left behind his parents, brother and sister. Defense Minister Ariel Sharon wrote in a letter of condolence to his family: “First Sergeant Eitan Rotem gave his life to his homeland, he served in an infantry battalion, he was an excellent soldier. He was an outstanding athlete, he stood respectfully in both areas, without neglecting any of them, with honors.” The commander of his unit wrote to his family: “During his service Eitan established a track in a paratrooper company, without neglecting the sport he so loved. He symbolized in his life all the beautiful and wonderful that we seek and find in our youth today. … his ability to successfully carry out all the tasks assigned to him in the battalion and the team – all these are subjects for admiration.”