U.K.-born Second Lebanon War hero remembered in Ra'anana
March held in memory of special forces officer Major Benji Hillman draws some 1,500 participants.
By Barak RavidA march held Friday in memory of a special forces officer killed in the Second Lebanon War, British-born Major Benji Hillman, drew some 1,500 participants.
The march in the fields near Ra'anana, including family, friends, and members of his army unit Egoz, also aimed to raise funds to set up Benji's House, a hostel that will offer a home to dozens of soldiers whose families live abroad.
Hillman was a company commander in Egoz, a special forces unit of the Golani Brigade. On July 20, a week into last year's war, he led his troops into Maroun al-Ras, a hotbed of Hezbollah activity. The force encountered heavy resistance and Hillman and three of his soldiers were killed.
Hillman had gotten married three weeks earlier and managed to spend a weekend with his new wife Ayala at their new home in Modi'in before thewar broke out.
After the funeral, his family and friends sought a way to commemorate Benji, and they focused on the care he took of his soldiers. At first they decided to create a fund that would raise money for various projects assisting soldiers who have no relatives in Israel.
They then began work on Benji's House, the first major project. The idea is to set up a home capable of housing some 50 soldiers who have no families in Israel or who come from broken homes. They would be able to spend weekends there and even stay after they complete their military service.
The hostel will be supported by volunteers, offering the soldiers financial support, laundry service, meals, access to computers for communicating with their families abroad, and help in finding work and continuing their education after their service. Most of all, the home will be there to offer warmth and support.
The Hillman family is planning to raise $2 million in Israel and abroad, and has already secured $1.5 million. The Ra'anana municipality also rallied to the cause and agreed to offer a plot of land for establishing the home.
The planning for the construction is being finalized, and the family is hoping that construction will begin in a few months. Barring any unexpected delays, the hostel will be ready by late 2008.
Friday's march is the first of what is expected to become an annual tradition in Ra'anana.
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A photo of IDF Major Benji Hillman, taken while he was a lieutenant. Hillman was killed in action during the Second Lebanon War. (Archives) |
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I would like to congratulate for the perfect organization of the event. No detail was left out. I hope the successful response will bring confort to the family, make the project come true and honor Benji's memory. Evelyn
Joseph, Your words really touched me. Believe me when I say that the majority of Israelis understand that poor leadership can take a terrible toll on a nation's people. Extremism, in any creed or politic, is the scourge of our time. Is it possible to stand up for ourselves, and at the same time show our children the impossible cost of war?
We have enough of Iranian lapdog Nasrallah and his hezbollah,We want to live in peace.We don't need Iranians and Syrians in our country we want peace.If you don't understand just go with them to Iran and stay there for ever you traitor.Don't speak in our name.
This is a true ISRAELI hero. God bless his soul.
The Best of the Best...
"I wonder why this soul is a hero?" Because he was an extraordinary guy when he was alive is why Joe, nothing to do with what uniform he was wearing and everything to do with how many people pay tribute to him. Try to find a better hook on which to hang your credo. Thanks.
In response to Joe's question about why Major Hillman is called a hero, I suggest that he open a dictionary before he writes. Any dictionary will tell our friend that a hero is someone who puts the common good above his own-as was the case of Major Hillman, who left his new wife to join the army because his men needed him. In no country is a hero defined by the number of men he has killed-except perhaps in the Arab fundementalist nations!
I wonder why this soul is a hero? How many non-Jews have he killed? That appears to be the gauge of zionism. In Canada we have the metric system and in israel you have to come up with one of your own. I suggest Zioter which should be included in IUPAC system. A hero is a person that bridges the divide and not kill in a land that is clearly not in Britain as the british mandate has been over for so many years. Colonialism is evil..be it british or zionist. I hope this gets published. Peace should exist without any religion. A state that is a home for Arabs..be them Jews, Christians, Muslims, et al. Please remember that religious affiliation doesnt constitute a race nor a nationality. Thanks
We want peace with Israel? Speak for urself you traitor.
How sad that Major Hillman is no longer with us. My condolences to his family and widow. He made Israel and all Jews proud. What a beautiful way to memorialize his life. Am Yisrael Chai!
this war between Israel was unecessary. It was caused by hezbollah. We want peace with Israel. If Nasrallah will continu his fights, then he just have to go to Iran and stay their till the end of his life...