Israel

Israel

MembersMy Youngest Goes to the Army

My second son will conclude his mandatory service in the Israeli army in July.

Photo: Nati Shohat/FLASH90

He has now served four years, and, like his older brother, will take his leave as an officer. Only two days later, my third and last son will be called up for military service. For the past eight years, one of our four children has always been in the military. As a parent, one becomes accustomed to it, pushing the fear we naturally feel to the furthest recesses of the mind. Despite the danger they face, I have always maintained a deep calmness about the situation. In truth, I was more anxious when my eldest two children traveled to South American for almost a year following their military service.

So now it’s our “little one’s” turn. Over the years, he has heard many experiences from his siblings. He has prepared mentally for this new phase in his life. But for me as a father, this time feels different. Elad is my youngest, the baby of the family. He is a real perfectionist. Even getting dressed can be problematic if, for instance, his socks...

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Patrick Callahan

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