Shaul, David

David (Dudi), son of Dizzy and Salman, was born on the 19th of Sivan 5714 (19.6.1954) in Petah Tikva. He studied at the “Matmid” Elementary School in Amishav and later continued his studies at the “Green Village” boarding school. David loved nature and the work of the land. He excelled in agricultural studies in all its branches, and prepared to establish a farm in the vicinity of a school with his friends. From his youth he was a sports enthusiast and excelled at swimming. He also loved to dance and listen to music. He was active in many activities in the community club and in the club of the boarding school in Kfar HaYarok. David was an optimistic boy, Simcha and smiling. His friends told him that he had never been saddened, and that his sense of humor had amused his friends and raised their spirits. Since he was quiet, closed and withdrawn, he had few friends, but they loved him and admired him for being modest, disinterested, and disdainful of bragging. Usually he was silent and hardly told himself. It was hard to tell him and he hid his feelings inside. He was naturally cool and cautious in his behavior, and excelled in a thorough approach and deep thought. He never went to greatness, looked for simplicity, was Simcha with his part and did not complain. All his life he was a faithful son and devoted to his parents, and loved his family very much. David was drafted into the IDF in early August 1972 and volunteered for the Armored Corps, where he soon became known as a good, devoted and responsible soldier, and his friends were told that from his first days he was physically fit and powerful, He wrote to them sometimes, but did not say anything about volunteering to serve in the commando unit and for the hard training, and when the Yom Kippur War broke out, he was sent with his friends, Trainees from a reconnaissance course, to the front in the Golan Heights. On the 9th of Tishrei 5734 (October 9, 1973) David fell in battle, in an ambush against tanks near Bukata. He was brought to eternal rest in the Petach Tikva cemetery. Survived by his parents, three brothers and two sisters. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, his commander wrote: “David fulfilled his role in a remarkable manner, with sacrifice and self-sacrifice.” His parents donated a marble plaque and a chandelier to the Beit Yaakov Synagogue in Shaarei Rachamim in Petah Tikva. His unit published a booklet called “Youth in the Sayeret”, in memory of twenty-four fallen soldiers, including David.