Messianic Moments: Report from Israel #4

by Janice Beurling

Shalom! The last two days have been an incredible experience. Although we had been informed of some of the events we’d be attending, we really didn’t understand or expect the outpouring of enthusiasm and warmth we’d receive from Israel and her people.

Last year, an officer from the 100th Squadron of the Israeli Air Force contacted Dad to honour Uncle George, who was a member of this squadron in 1948 and who was killed before he even reached Israel. Dov (all names changed) invited Dad to visit Israel and to participate in some of Israel’s Memorial Day activities.

Dov met us at the airport and two days ago spent several hours with us at Mini-Israel about half-way between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. It was a wonderful time to get to know Dov a little better. Mini-Israel is a family-oriented tourist site that showcases scale models of various parts of Israel. Dov led us around the outdoor displays and gave us his insight and knowledge of his country.

Afterward, we followed Dov in our rental car as he drove to the Sde Dov Air Base on the northern edge of Tel Aviv, where the 100th Squadron is based. Also called the Flying Camel Squadron, it is Israel’s original air force squadron. Uncle George was their third member to be killed in active service. They honour his memory every year.

On our arrival, Dov escorted us to a meeting room where we sat around a table with about 10 or 12 other members of the squadron and a reporter from one of the major Israeli newspapers. Then the questions started. Dad was interviewed for both the newspaper and squadron publications. A number of the questions centred around why George chose to fight for Israel. Dad repeatedly explained that our family has long believed that Israel is the apple of God’s eye and He has never taken His hand from them. He talked about the Biblical prophecies that foretold Israel becoming a nation again and the people returning to the Land from every corner of the world. He described how George’s understanding of these teachings motivated him to put his life on the line in order to help see this be accomplished.

At first, the reaction visible on the faces of these young people was a blankness. Then, as they continued to ask similar questions and got the same answer, I began to see them trying to come to grips with Dad’s Biblical answers. They struggled to understand, but it was clear that they’d never before personally encountered the kind of faith we expressed.

After the interview session, they showed us out to the airfield and took many more photos of us. For security reasons, the officers were photographed only from the back. They also pointed out high security planes and described in general terms some of their activities. They even invited us to step on board one of their intelligence gathering planes and explained some of the equipment -- all of which went over our heads, of course.

Afterward, we went back to the meeting room and learned more about the operations of the 100th Squadron. Then came a relaxing time in the Squadron Lounge, informally chatting with Dov and Shimon, the young officer assigned to escort us for a couple of days. We called Shimon our babysitter!

Soon it was evening and the beginning of Israel Memorial Day, a time to remember all the fallen members of the Israel Defence Forces and those who have been killed in terrorist attacks. On every Memorial Day evening, there is a special service at each of the armed forces bases. Bereaved families -- families of the members of those bases who have been killed -- are invited to attend. At this outdoor service, we were told there were about 2000 people present. We sat in the front row with Dov on one side and Shimon on the other where they could translate for us.

The service included a variety of musical presentations, prayers and the reading of the names of all those from this squadron who have fallen in battle -- including Uncle George. It was very moving. Afterward, we headed home to Jerusalem -- an adventure in itself since we had just picked up our rental car that morning and barely had a sense of direction yet. But we’ll talk about driving in Israel another day.

The next morning, Shimon picked us up in a base car and took us to Har Tayyasim or Pilots’ Mountain. This memorial site is on a mountain top outside of Jerusalem and is where a plane crashed in the 1948 war. The original motor of that plane is part of the memorial in the park. At this location each year, the Air Force holds their main memorial service. It was blazingly hot in the sun, but very pleasant in the shade of the pine trees planted all over the mountain. There was a great deal of security and another couple of thousand people in attendance. This was the occasion at which Dad was to lay a wreath on behalf of all the bereaved families. Before and after the service, he was interviewed again a couple of times and introduced to many people, such as retired air force commanders and the Canadian attaché.

The response to our presence was constantly open and friendly. People thanked us over and over for coming and continuing to be interested in Israel. Again and again we answered that it was because of our love of the God of Israel that we love the people of Israel. And then we’d see that confused look come over their faces. It was as if we had suddenly started using words they just didn’t understand.

Shimon took us back to Jerusalem later that afternoon and with sunset, Memorial Day ended and Independence Day began.

Each year, on the evening Independence Day begins, a large celebration is held in Jerusalem on Mount Herzel. Dov had been able to get tickets for us. We really didn’t know what it would be like except that it would end with fireworks.

We arrived in good time and found excellent seats in the outdoor, temporary stadium. As we waited for the presentation to begin, several American-born Israelis sat in front of us. Krista jokingly asked them if they would like to translate the program for us -- remember she’s not shy. As we chatted with them, one told us how excited they were to be there because the tickets, although free, are very, very hard to get -- you have to know someone. In fact, one of the women has lived in Israel for 30 years and this is the first time she was able to come. Then the other woman said to me, “So how did YOU get tickets?!”

I took a deep breath and started to give her an abbreviated version of the reason for our visit to Israel. I had hardly uttered two sentences when she started to excitedly exclaim that she had read all about us in the newspaper that morning. She was so excited, I though she might climb right over her seat and sit down next to me! We had a lovely time sharing with these people -- who again expressed great appreciation for what Uncle George had done and for us coming to Israel on this trip.

We really enjoyed the program that followed -- marching soldiers and cadets, musical presentations, prayers and readings -- and, yes, fireworks. It was a wonderful end to two wonderful days.

We have been overwhelmed by the welcome we’ve received from Israelis -- young airmen, officers, retired service people, even just people on the street. We really didn’t expect this. And, we’re the first to say that WE don’t deserve it! We’re here because of something Uncle George was willing to do more than 60 years ago. We’re here because we still believe that the Jewish people are God’s chosen people.

One thought has come back to me a number of times during the last two days. I’ve been amazed at the commitment the people of Israel have to remember their fallen sons and daughters. Young and old are involved in the services and programs. As I’ve sat through these memorial services, Zechariah’s prophecy (12:10) has come to mind over and over.

“I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him like the bitter weeping over a firstborn.”

Israel mourned yesterday for her fallen children. But a day will come soon when Israel will mourn for Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah -- and then they will turn to Him!

Here are some of the pictures Krista and I took during the last couple of days (click to view larger):

The memorial for the fallen of the 100th Squadron at Sde Dov Air Base. Uncle George is third from the top.