Nick Peshterianu

Staff Sergeant Eden Alon Levy, 19 — Hero of Zikim Base, October 7. Eden Alon Levy was a 19-year-old combat soldier and squad commander in the Home Front Command’s Rescue Unit at the Zikim training base. Born and raised in Nirit, she was the fourth of five siblings in a family of strong, serving women and men. She loved to dance (performing for a decade with a local troupe), was ambitious (pursuing Air Force pilot screening while set for officers course), and was known for her bright smile, quiet strength, and care for her soldiers. On the morning of October 7, 2023, Eden was on guard duty with a new trainee when Hamas terrorists attacked. She immediately sent the trainee to the shelter, helped get the mostly unarmed young recruits to safety, and stayed with the small staff team to fight. Facing heavily armed terrorists with limited ammunition, they held the base. Zikim was the only base in the area not overrun. Dozens to over 100 recruits and others were saved because of her and her comrades’ stand. Eden fell in the battle along with six other soldiers. Her last message to her family that morning: “I love you guys.” Her mother (a police officer) said they weren’t surprised by her heroism — it was who she was. Her sister Shani said Eden’s story shows what female combat soldiers can do, and more. May her memory be a blessing. She didn’t just serve — she protected those who couldn’t yet protect themselves.

The Even Family from Kibbutz Be’eri. On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists set fire to the Even family’s home to force them out of their safe room. Chen Even fought back and killed one of the terrorists with his personal pistol. The family then fled into the bushes outside their house to hide. Rinat Even even managed to take a photo of them hiding there. Shortly afterward, the terrorists found them and opened fire. Rinat (44), Chen (45), and their two older sons — Alon (16) and Ido (14) — were murdered. Their two younger sons, Tomer (11) and Nir (8), survived. They played dead and later found refuge. They were a family of six. Now only two remain — orphaned, without their parents or their big brothers. Rinat was a social worker who helped people others overlooked. Chen was described as a tough guy with a heart of butter. Alon got along with everyone. Ido was the funniest kid in class. They were ordinary, loving people living a normal life on a kibbutz. Until that morning. We will not forget them. We will not forget what was done to them. And we will not forget the two little boys who were left behind. May their memory be a blessing. 🕯️

Please don't forget me.

I feel a bit awkward saying this, but this is Michigan, in the United States. Good luck to everyone living there.