Commander Honors Fallen Mentor by Teaching His Values

Sixteen years after his commander, Major Eliraz Peretz, fell in combat, Lieutenant Colonel (Res.) H', the new commander of the 7490 battalion in the Golani Brigade, finds himself constantly asking, "What would Major Eliraz Peretz do?" H' serves as both a reservist commander and a 11th-grade homeroom teacher at the Amit Eliraz school in Petah Tikva, named after Peretz. Their bond began over two decades ago when H' served as a young platoon commander under Peretz in the 13th Battalion of Golani. They fought together in Lebanon and Gaza, developing a deep friendship that continues to influence H' even after Peretz's death on March 26, 2010, in Gaza. Sergeant First Class Ilan Saviatkovsky also fell in that battle.

H' recalls their intense operational period together, including service on the Lebanese border, operations in Gaza after the kidnapping of Gilad Shalit, and the Second Lebanon War. He remembers Peretz's decisive leadership during a Hezbollah raid in 2005 and his bravery in entering a combat zone to rescue wounded soldiers during the Second Lebanon War, even before receiving orders. Their professional relationship evolved into a close friendship that persisted after their military service ended.

Peretz's death deeply affected H', describing it as a devastating blow. He later found himself working at the Amit Eliraz school, named in honor of his fallen friend. "I can tell them firsthand stories, not just what I heard from others," H' stated, emphasizing his commitment to sharing Peretz's experiences and how he would have handled situations, aiming to impart his values to the students. He ensures that every class he teaches learns about Peretz.

H' is motivated by a conversation with Peretz's mother, Miriam, who urged him not to build monuments but to live by Eliraz's values to truly immortalize him. This sentiment fuels his drive, including his recent promotion to battalion commander. Since October 7, his battalion has been on reserve duty across various fronts, including the Golan Heights, the northern border, Gaza, Lebanon, and the West Bank city of Nablus. Despite the demanding nature of his military role and his teaching responsibilities, H' prioritizes connecting with his students, encouraging them to enlist in Golani, and sharing appropriate details about his reserve service. He strives to embody Peretz's spirit, especially when facing difficult decisions, believing Peretz would have embraced challenges with full commitment.