Shimon, Yagg

Ben Degas and Cassa to Yelam. He was born in Mayim in Ethiopia on January 1, 1976. The family worked in agriculture, and he, along with his studies, helped work. His family says that Yagged excelled in sports and was “quick as a deer.” From an early age he lived with the family of his uncle Panteo, with the consent of his parents. Yagag immigrated to Israel in May 1991 with the family of his uncle and mother, while his father remained in Ethiopia. After a short studio period in Ofakim, he began his studies at the Hadasim boarding school until the end of 12th grade, and was drafted into the IDF in early July 1995. He served in the Golani Brigade in the Gideon Battalion. In the absorption questionnaire he writes: “I wanted to serve in Golani because I chose this, and I love the corps.” In the framework of the brigade he underwent basic training, a course for commanders and a infantry sniper course. On the 28th of Av 5757 (28.8.1997) he fell in battle in the eastern sector of southern Lebanon. Two days earlier he had gone out with his friends to the activity, and the group of fighters had spent about forty hours in an ambush in Wadi Saluki in southern Lebanon. On Thursday morning they encountered a squad of terrorists. In the battle that developed, the fighters succeeded in killing several terrorists, but in a fire that broke out in the field of thorns in which five of the fighters were killed, among them Yagged. Staff Sergeant Oren Zarif, Staff Sergeant Roy Shukron, Staff Sergeant Oshri Schwartz, and Sergeant Kashon Shemtou, who was twenty-one years old, were killed. He was buried in the military section of the Sderot cemetery and left behind his parents, sister, Dalia (Esreso), and his uncle’s family, who grew up and was educated: “He dreamed of going to the Holy Land and serving as a combat soldier in Golani. He did not get to realize the dream to the end. He gave his part and fell on the northern border and did not get home. “At his funeral the commander of the unit eulogized him:” You and your friends will witness, with your good injury to the terrorists, their success in fulfilling the peak of every warrior’s dreams. You must have planned the reception at the time, the patting of the back. In the distance smoke grew, a fire broke out and you did not notice. What did you do that we did not teach you to run away, teach, teach you to stick to the task, and you did it well? “His companions told him:” Yidag was a real Golanchik. Not a huge body but a huge fit and ability to help members who were two times his size. “The commander of the Gideon Battalion writes to the family:” Yadg was an exemplary soldier, quiet and serious, who excelled in high fitness and motivation. During the encounter, he displayed professional ability and courage and helped to liquidate the two terrorist squads. “The family and his friends made a great effort, with the help of friends and the Defense Ministry, to commemorate the memory of the man who would celebrate the establishment of a synagogue for the community in Sderot, the introduction of a Torah scroll and the publication of a booklet In his memory.