Remembrance Day for Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terrorism

Yom HaZikaron. Two two-minute sirens. One siren at 8:00 last night and one at 11:00 this morning. Every car stops, its occupants empty out and stand at attention, heads bowed, as if frozen in place. Every pedestrian stops in their tracks. The whole country comes to a standstill and observes two minutes silence as together we remember our fallen soldiers and victims of terrorism. 

There are solemn ceremonies at every school, every community center and every institution. We remember. The whole evening and day there is no TV or radio except for news and stories of remembrance and grieving. Together we remember.

And then, in the evening we dry our tears and switch gears, and we celebrate - we celebrate our independence, we celebrate our Israel, our home.

Viewpoint -
See Israeli Frontline article Of silence, soldiers and switching gears - by Michelle Cohen

See:  "I miss you always " -by Karnit Goldwasser

Ynet: "According to the Defense Ministry's commemoration unit, Israel's fallen number 22,867 soldiers and terror victims. The past year has seen 183 Israelis killed in the line of duty or in terror attacks. Israel's bereaved families now include 2,543 orphans, 4,999 widows and 10,819 bereaved parents."

Today is YOM HAZIKARON (Remembrance Day) for our fallen soldiers.

The siren was heard last night at 20:00 and this morning at 11:00. During the siren, traffic stops, everything stops, and everyone stands in silence to remember and honor our fallen soldiers. Ceremonies are held in military cemeteries, schools and other places all over the country. Everyone is united in remembering the price we pay for our independence. Yom HaZikaron ends when Independence Day celebrations begin.