MOURNING DOVES,
MERKAVAS AND M-16s

It was a quiet Shabbat morning in
the Haifa Soldier House; Rosh Hashanah 2010 (1^st
Tishrei 5771). The building was nearly
empty except for about 20 or more of us “Lone Soldiers”. A lovely Druze IDF
veteran sat quietly at the desk, behind a security glass -  considering the remote lives of his
children studying all over the world – preparing for professions – outside the
perpetual war zone that Israel’s ‘neighbours’ and the ‘global community’ force upon her.

A spectacular Shabbat meal was
served for us the night before, complete with ceremonies prayers and song. It
was remarkably touching to me – these Jewish youth from all over the world,
here alone to serve in this remarkable military – celebrating the New Year with
me, a Christian Goy who was three times their age. Male and female, Russian,
American, French. . . eager to talk about the challenges of  life on the bases, life ‘back home’ and
the situation Israel finds itself in; eager to talk about their aspirations for
the future.

The large, echoing mezzanine was
quiet except for the cooing of the mourning doves. The sleepy halls displayed
the posters of the fighting men and women – special forces, navy, air force and
armor, depicting the bond that both sustains and breaks the hearts of these
beautiful, talented and lion-hearted young people. They are forced to fight for
their lives every 2 years in conventional war and every day in unconventional
terrorist intrusions. Many they come to love, don’t return home.

From the 4 corners of the earth
they stream as their prophets Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Isaiah predicted 2500 years
ago. They mix their blood with their Jewish brothers and sisters from
Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Byelorussia, from Yemen and Iran and Iraq, from ‘The
Argentine’, Uruguay and New York; Boca Rotan, Montreal and Moscow, creating the
most beautiful people on earth. The beauty of Africa mixes with the beauty of
Asia and Europe. Languages, physiognomy, complexion, eye-color, customs,
beliefs, conflicts and accommodations converge on a tiny piece of real estate
to create an impossible people in an impossible nation: Am Israel in Erutz Israel. *

...

When Noah sent out the dove to see
if any land had emerged from the waters, she came back with an olive branch in
her ‘mouth’. The symbolism explodes on the page. The dove: symbol of innocence,
symbol of peace; the lowliest sacrifice of the Temple period for the poorest of
people. The IDF uniform: olive color instead of ‘desert camouflage’ (the more
appropriate color) - again the symbol of the Jewish hope for peace. Olive –
serves for medicine, food and light all of which Israel provides to the world.
. . even in the broadest sense. 
Amidst this realization, something happened to me.

October 2010

Roger Brian Neill

Vancouver, B.C.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cory Gelmon

Hi Max:  Just thought I'd drop you a line to let you know that I'm back and had an amazing experience in Israel.  The first week, the volunteers - 12 of us - worked in the armory cleaning M-16s and Galil rifles - so they could be re-used.  We did this as part of a complement of soldiers and volunteers working together.  We were housed in the barracks with the soldiers - worked with them, ate with them etc.  They were all very grateful for our efforts and support, which was terrific.  The volunteer group was comprised of 4 Canadians, 2 Italians, 1 Belgian and 5 Americans.  Most of the volunteers here were around my age, except the Italians who were 26.  Of the group, all were Jewish except 1 Canadian woman and 1 American woman.  I found it interesting finding out everyone's rationale for volunteering.

The second week I was sent to a different base .  This was interesting as it was about a mile away from the air force base that was sending the F - 15s and 16s to Gaza.  They were screaming overhead all day long, and we could feel the concussions waves/shock waves from their visits to Gaza, which was about 30 miles away - about 1 minute of flying time. This was more interesting as this was a staging base for the reservists called up for Gaza Operation.  Our job was varied - again cleaning the weapons that had just returned from Gaza.  Mostly, we repacked all of the field packs (backpacks and duffle bags) that each reservist used when they went to Gaza.  Our job was to get it repacked and ready to go again.  We worked in groups - again, side by side with the soldiers, who thought we were crazy for doing it of our own free will, not to mention expense.  The sergeant we worked for said it would have taken them 3 times longer with the conscripts, as we were hustling, and making the soldiers work harder than they otherwise would.  Again, the soldiers were terrific and grateful we were there to help.  Barracks here were pretty rough, but the food was way better.  The volunteer group here consisted of 4 Brits, 2 Canadians, 3 Americans and 1 Dutchman.  This group was all in their 20s except for me and 2 Americans who were both a little older than me.  Of this group, the Dutchman was a 17 year old non Jewish boy who hated what the Muslims had done to Holland, and wanted to join the IDF - failing which he would join the Dutch army.  One of the Americans was a non Jewish, Vietnam Vet who was on his 3rd "tour" as a volunteer.  He was there as he said Israel is the only country with the guts to stand up to radical Islam.  Also, the other Canadian was a 25 year old guy from Vancouver, who wasn't Jewish but was in love with Israel and the IDF.  This group was all male and younger as the work was physically demanding - but good.  Us old guys were given the option to have gone to another base where they packed field medical supply kits - which was not as demanding.

In summary, a tremendous connection with the soldiers and other volunteers.  All of us were sick of  defending Israel at home, and all of us were just happy to be there contributing.

Thanks again for your help.  I'll definitely be going again, soon I hope.

Cory Gelmon, Calgary, Alberta