Vadel, Eliyahu

Eliahu, son of Ayala and Gideon, was born in Tel Aviv on February 6, 1951. In the middle of January 1973, he volunteered for the Nahal Brigade, where he served in the Hashomer Hatzair kibbutz in Revadim. Because of his experience in parachuting, he was admitted to the paratroopers’ unit. His friends in the unit told him about him: “Although Eli was naturally captivated, his actions were numerous, he excelled in sports events and was very faithful to his daily work.” When the Yom Kippur War broke out, he was still in the recruits’ unit. On the 17th of Tishrei 5734 (October 13, 1973), he was injured in an accident and fell in the Nahal Sorek area on the way to Masmiya. He was brought to eternal rest in the cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. Survived by father, mother and sister. After his death he was promoted to corporal. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan wrote: “Eliahu was a devoted soldier and a loyal friend, and he was fond of his commanders and comrades in arms.” His commander wrote: “Eli was admired and accepted by the members of his unit, as well as by the members of the kibbutz of Ravadim, where he stayed as part of his service in Shalhat. Within a short time he managed to assimilate into the new framework. “