‘Why does God take the good ones? And you were the best of the best.’
By Hezy Laing
Hundreds of people accompanied the late Sergeant Uri Greenberg, who fell in a heroic battle in southern Lebanon, to his grave.
In a funeral filled with faith and gratitude for the time they were blessed to spend with him, his sister eulogized him with a “Psalter of Gratitude” and his family chose to continue his wonderful path of giving by donating his organs to save lives
At the cemetery, crowds accompanied the late Sergeant Uri Greenberg, a 21-year-old Golani patrol fighter from Petah Tikva, on his last journey.
Uri, a brave soldier who saw his service as a profound mission, fell during a clash with Hezbollah terrorists in the heart of the villages in southern Lebanon.
Even in his most difficult moments, his family chose to illuminate Uri’s image through the values he absorbed at home – loyalty, dedication and boundless love of Israel.
A particularly moving moment was recorded when Uri’s sister, Shelly, came up to eulogize him.
Amidst the heavy bereavement and with a voice choked with tears, the sister chose to recite the “Hymn of Gratitude,” as she sought to give thanks for the years she was blessed to grow up alongside her brother.
“I was blessed with an amazing brother for 21 years, and my children were blessed with an uncle who always found time to be with them,” Shelly said to the silent audience.
“I don’t know how we will continue without you. You are so missed, watch over us from above.”
His brother Oz also eulogized him and emphasized his special heroism: “Today the word I heard the most is ‘hero,’ and it goes without saying why.
Unfortunately, the appreciation of heroes comes too late.
I wish I could hug you, I love you, my little brother, and I’m proud of you.”
Oz described Uri as someone destined for greatness, charismatic, and outstanding in every setting he reached.
Yaron Greenberg, Uri’s father, spoke about his son’s special character and the way the family chose to commemorate him – through the continuation of his good deeds.
Uri carried and “Adi” organ donors’ card, and his family decided to donate his organs to give life to others.
“He did everything the best he could, his heart is broken. Uri was a guy of giving and excellence,” said the father, asking those present: “Do good for the upliftment of his soul. This is the right way to remember who Uri was.”
His team commander, Lieutenant Daniel Bozaglo, who recalled the last moments of the warrior everyone loved.
“What a person you were. You walk around with your half-shy smile, always cracking a joke in difficult moments. You came to me as a brother, and you became one in your own right. They trusted you because of the person you are. Why does God take the good ones? And you were the best of the best.”
The investigation into the incident shows that the late Uri acted resolutely at the forefront of the force.
During an operation in a wadi deep in one of the villages, our fighters encountered an ambush by four Hezbollah terrorists.
The fighters fiercely pursued contact and killed two of the terrorists, while the rest were forced to flee.
Uri was injured during the exchange of fire, and despite rapid evacuation efforts, he was pronounced dead in a helicopter on the way to the hospital.
Uri, who was only two months away from being discharged from the IDF, followed in his older brother’s footsteps and enlisted in the Golani Patrol out of a sense of duty.
His unit mates speak of a professional fighter who never gave up on himself, and who always instilled confidence in those around him.
With his passing, Uri leaves a huge void among his family, his comrades in arms, and the entire Israeli people, but his legacy of gratitude and doing good will continue to shine.
