Posted on 05/17/2012 3:39:18 AM PDT by Eleutheria5
I am not going to praise him. From the short time we spent talking, I got the impression that he wouldn't appreciate it. Either way, he's just a regular American kid, a Star Wars geek no less, who happened to have been faced with extraordinary circumstances.
My simple aim is to use my soapbox to share his story, and explain why I think that amid the din of chattering voices that various media channels confront us with daily, his narrative is worth paying attention to.
His name is Izzy Ezagui, he is 23 years old, average height, has dark hair and an awkward smile. Like many young Jews, after visiting Israel a number of times throughout his childhood, at the age of 19 he decided to join Israel's Defense Forces. He was enrolled in the Kfir Brigade, Haruv Battalion, a non-elite combat infantry unit and went through basic training.
In late 2008 Israel launched Operation Cast Lead and his unit was directed to the battlefield. Three weeks into the campaign, while in a tent pitched at the Gaza border awaiting orders, "he was hit almost directly by a 120mm mortar shell instantly losing his left and dominant arm from just above the elbow." Three others were also wounded in the attack.
Bleeding profusely, yet fully conscious, he was able to make his way to a nearby shelter where he was treated by medics who quickly transferred him to a hospital in BeerSheva. After two surgeries and a year of rehabilitation he seemed set to join Israel's 50,000 strong community of disabled war veterans. Instead, he insisted on being allowed to return to his army role.
His request was unprecedented and initially met resistance from IDF officials...
.....
(Excerpt) Read more at israelnationalnews.com ...
Incredible story.
From what I've heard even their teens are capable of taking down giant opposition.
Travel to Israel and you’ll see the youth in uniform everywhere you go. They are all carrying their rifles while in uniform, ready at a moments notice.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
..................
A modern day Joshua!
A picture of “The source of freedom”
>> Israel’s 50,000 strong community of disabled war veterans.
Good Lord! “Find the cost of freedom ...”
I must admit I don't get the mystique of Star Wars, though.
It’s just a damn shame that the good guys have to sacrifice the lives and limbs of such fine young men, when our enemy only sacrifices dregs that aren’t worthy of shining their boots.
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