IDF soldiers stand at attention in front of the graves of IDF soldiers buried at Mt. Herzl, Israel’s national military cemetery. (Photo: IDF)

IDF soldiers stand at attention in front of the graves of IDF soldiers buried at Mt. Herzl, Israel’s national military cemetery. (Photo: IDF)

Every year on Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, the country commemorates its fallen victims of terrorism and war. Counting from the year 1860, when Jews were first allowed to live outside of the Old City walls of Jerusalem, Israel commemorates 23,320 casualties of war and terror.

Every year, Israelis set aside a special day, the day before Independence Day, to commemorate those who gave their lives to live in and protect the country from its enemies. The national day of remembrance begins Tuesday night at 8 pm with a one-minute long siren across the country. A second siren rings country-wide on Wednesday morning at 11 am.

Like all other years, this year Israel has what to remember. Since the last Yom Hazikaron, 116 people have died, 67 of them in Operation Protective Edge. According to statistics released by the IDF ahead of Yom Hazikaron, 131 parents, 11 widows, and 187 siblings lost a loved one this past year. 21 children became orphans and two children were born after their fathers were killed, being forced to grow up having never met their dad.

In addition to the 67 soldiers killed during the 50-day war in Gaza, another 35 disabled soldiers died due to injuries they received in the line of duty.

Yom Hazikaron is certainly one of the more emotional days on the Jewish calendar, as it is hard pressed to find a home in Israel that did not know, on a first hand basis, a soldier who has given his life for his country or someone affected by terror.

Joseph Trumpeldor’s dying statement, “Tis good to die for one’s country,” rings out loud and clear in the minds of all Israelis on Yom Hazikaron… Read the full article here.