Celebrating 4th of July as an IDF reservist on the frontline

As a combat soldier on the border of Lebanon, it’s hard to keep track of time and it’s often that we forget the date. Last night, as we got back from another mission, my teammate reminded me that it’s July 4th! So with little to celebrate with, we opened a can of Coke and made a toast for the United States of America.

It was there, at 4:00 AM, by the dawns early lights, that I felt the importance of the bond between Israel and the USA, more than ever before. Looking around, it dawned on me, that again, like many times before, that I was surrounded by many fellow Israeli Americans. In the frontline IDF post , about 30% of the soldiers were Israeli-Americans. Literally, citizens of both countries. From NY, NJ, CA, MD, MA, FL and even Memphis Tennessee.

At the same time that we were celebrating the 4th of July with our IDF unit, President Trump was hosting Israeli-American Idan Alexander, who was help hostage by Hamas. The bond between Israel and the USA is unbreakable. We are literally the same people. Their shouldn’t be any doubt about the tremendous benefits that the USA receives from the allience with the State of Israel. We, the people of Israel, are literally holding the frontline for USA and the entire free world. The people of Israel share the same values with the people of the USA. Personal liberty, equal rights, and social justice are what we are fighting for.

Our Doctor was trained in America, and our sniper works for a company based in Silicon Valley. During the down time, my teammates play guitar, harmonica, and the flute. Bob Dylan, Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, and etc. These are the songs that are played. It’s natural.

None of the people here enjoy this war. None of us have any imperial aspirations. We are here for one reason and that is to protect our people and we pray for peace every day. It’s absolutely shocking that many Americans don’t get this. The progressive movement succeeded in brainwashing millions of people. The educational system has failed to teach simple facts. The most important values are not clear anymore.

But we remain optimistic and believe that the truth will come out and the light will shine over the darkness.