Hundreds attended the funeral today (Friday) at noon of Sergeant Rotem Sahar Hadar, 20 years old, from Kfar Aviv and a fighter in a paratrooper patrol, who fell yesterday in the southern Gaza Strip.
The funeral of the late Sergeant Rotem Hadar, photo: Yossi Zeliger
Rotem, a scout instructor, a gifted player, a basketball player and a talented athlete, is the eldest son of Liat Vail and a brother to three younger brothers and sisters. His father eulogized him: “Our beloved, you were the first magic out of five magics that happened to us, which we created out of pure love. And what an initial experience you gave us.
“Twenty amazing years, full of pleasure, with challenges and unforgettable experiences. We cherish every moment you gave us with you. We named you Rotem, following the beautiful desert plant that grows roots. The one who can also do difficult things. That’s exactly who you are.” His father continued and told regarding Rotem, who even as a baby and a child did not give up and was determined to make every dream come true.
The funeral of Sergeant Rotem Hadar, photo: Yossi Zeliger
“I don’t know anyone as determined and mentally strong as you. I admire these qualities of yours. We promise and pledge that we will fulfill your will and continue to be a close-knit, sporty, active and happy family. It will not be easy. It will take time. But we will do it leaning for your uncompromising determination, because that’s what you wanted for us… we will continue to spread the magical light you left within us,” he said.
Eyal the father said goodbye to his son when he sang over the grave a song he wrote and composed for Rotem at his Bar Mitzvah and said: “Since the seventh of October I have not dared to play the song because I was afraid of this very moment. Then the most terrible moment of all came and I am no longer afraid and I am playing it to you for the last time. I love you hero Ours, hurts and misses a lot.”
The funeral of the late Sergeant Rotem Hadar, photo: Yossi Zeliger
Rotem’s brother, Shaked, told regarding the brother who was a role model for him: “You were my best friend, a big brother who always took care of all the brothers. We believed in us in an irrational way, you were an inspiration and set a crazy personal example. You were the leader of the house and the brothers. Everything What you did we followed you. You would give us advice and we trusted you with our eyes closed. We all adored you. Your personality was magnetic and every person who met you immediately fell in love with you. You pushed me hard, you believed in me. I miss and am proud that you are my brother.”
Brother Sinai also eulogized: “On the day of the war, we were all in the MMD for hours. Within a few hours Rotem was in uniform on his way to the Gaza Strip. We haven’t heard from him in a while. When we finally spoke he asked us to play basketball and report to him regarding Messi and Barca. I have not met anyone who hated Rotem. He made everyone he met smile. When you came home for the weekend we went bowling. I didn’t think this would be the last time I would play with you or eat together. On Wednesday last week you managed to talk to me for five minutes. You were a little sad and told me you were proud of me. On Saturday it was the last time we spoke and I told you I was proud of you and you said you were proud of me. If only I knew this was our last conversation. I miss Rotem.”
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