Zermski, Shlomo

Shlomo, son of Tzipora and Natan, was born on the 16th of Tishrei 5711 (27.9.1950) in Tel Aviv. Until 1957 the family lived in Lod and then moved to Tel Aviv, where she established her home. Shlomo studied at the “Yosef Haglili” Elementary School and completed his high school studies at the Pitman Commercial School in Tel Aviv where he specialized in bookkeeping. As a child he was an enthusiastic athlete, played for the Maccabi youth soccer team in Tel Aviv and used to practice swimming in his spare time. He also devoted a great deal of time to reading books. Prior to joining the IDF he worked for a while in the Peled publication in Tel Aviv, where Shlomo was drafted into the IDF in mid-February 1969 and assigned to the Armored Corps. After basic training he completed a course for tank drivers and a tank training course. His discharge certificate states: “A good and disciplined soldier, he performed his duty with devotion and loyalty.” In mid-February 1972, Shlomo completed his compulsory service and returned to civilian life. Shlomo began working for IAI, and in the short time he was there, his superiors appreciated him. During the Yom Kippur War, he participated in battles as a tank driver in an armored brigade that fought in the southern front. Together with his unit he took part in the battles to break into the West Bank, was forced to drag the roller coaster to the canal and participated in the fierce battles around the “Chinese farm.” In the Battle of the Misori compound north of the Great Bitter Lake that took place on October 21, 1973, his tank was hit and Shlomo fell. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery in Kiryat Shaul. He was survived by a father, mother and brother. After his fall, he was promoted to sergeant. In a letter of condolence to the bereaved family, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan wrote: “Shlomo was a dedicated soldier and a loyal friend, and he was loved by everyone who knew him.”