Remembering October 7: SGT Dan's Story

How many times have I heard that God takes the best, and I didn't give it much thought? Then it hit me. He actually takes the best ones.

Roitman...my best friend, the only one who understands me.. who helps me with everything I need, my double, and as I wrote to you on your birthday, part of my blood.. you promised me that we would always stay in touch, no matter the circumstances.

I wrote that no matter how many deaths there will be in the future, know that I love you and that thanks to you I am still in this amazing place called the Givati Brigade. You are my inspiration and are not an ordinary person. I thank God every day that I had the privilege to know you and of course, we will just be happy because you are a unique person, just because it's you...my Roitman.

You will always be my inspiration.

Almog. The strongest person on the outside, with the biggest heart on the inside.

My twin brother. Every Friday that we would get together, we would sit for hours together, and it became a tradition. If you were short on cigarettes, he would pull out a pack for you, and if you tried to pay him, he would get annoyed with you because that's Almog, always giving and wanting nothing in return. He is the strongest possible person that could ever be...I promise.

Lewin...our crazy navigator guy, he was totally focused and just wanted to be a professional. A navigator, that everyone wanted to be with because you knew you’d sleep best that night. He took on challenges like they were nothing, and he was the best navigator guy there could be...you would never hear a complaint from him because that's Lewin, the best fighter there is.

Carlos...there’s no one I loved to mess with more than you. The night before, I told you that we trust you completely if they let us in only with you. You teased me and said, "Come on, keep going." The truth is I was serious. You were a professional and handled challenges like an officer with decades in the army. You knew every command that existed and could recall it in seconds.

Talposh...I had the privilege of being under you, learning values and skills at the highest level.

I know that each of you would want us to hold our heads high and be the strongest team there is, and I promise you that I will be.

I had the privilege of knowing you.