“A true warrior fights not because of hatred for what stands before him, but because of love for what stands behind him,” Zamir said.
By The IDF Club
The annual “Salute to the Fallen” ceremony, marking the opening of Israel’s Memorial Day events, was held Sunday at Mount Herzl, where IDF soldiers began placing Israeli flags on the graves of fallen soldiers.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the ceremony reflects “the moment each year when the heart of the nation turns to remembrance and independence,” as soldiers prepare to visit every grave of Israel’s fallen.
“They will place on each headstone the national flag alongside a flower and a memorial candle,” he said, describing the effort as “a sensitive historical act of remembrance” and “a profound symbol of the State of Israel’s commitment to each of the fallen.”
“The fallen set out on their mission with their eyes fixed on the state, prepared to defend its citizens and even sacrifice their lives for the homeland,” Zamir said. “Each year, the nation bows its head and salutes them.”
Standing among the graves at Mount Herzl, he emphasized the enduring bond between the nation and those it has lost. “Here lie the fallen alongside the founders of the state and the figures who built it. All of them are role models, the greatest of our nation.”
Quoting a line often recited by soldiers, he added, “A true warrior fights not because of hatred for what stands before him, but because of love for what stands behind him.”
Zamir also shared the story of Capt. Eitan Yitzhak Oster, an IDF officer buried at Mount Herzl, recalling how “a charming child grew into a commander admired by all,” and fell in battle alongside his comrades. Their memory, he said, reflects “the spirit of courage, devotion, and sacrifice that defines the fighters of Israel.”
Speaking amid ongoing conflict, Zamir said Israel is engaged in “an unprecedented multi-front campaign,” but stressed that beyond technology and strategy, “the true advantage of the IDF is its people, their courage, their dedication, and their willingness to give everything.”
“The message to our enemies is clear, there is no point in the Middle East beyond Israel’s reach,” he said. “We will continue to stand ready and determined to defend our country.”
Turning to the families of the fallen, Zamir spoke with visible emotion. “Before your loss, we are left without words,” he said. “The names and faces of your loved ones accompany us every day. They are our purpose. They are our guiding light.”
As the ceremony concluded, soldiers across Israel continued preparations to ensure that by the start of Memorial Day, every fallen soldier’s grave would bear a flag, a flower, and a candle, a quiet and powerful expression of a nation’s remembrance.
