Golani Sgt. Sean Carmeli, whose family lives in South Padre Island, Texas, was killed in Gaza on July 20th. Sean was a ” lone soldier.”
Israeli soldiers generally get home every week or so, enjoying family, the amenities of home, favorite foods, a few hours of rest, and evenings with friends.
Although lone soldiers– volunteer non-nationals with no close family in the country, receive many benefits to ease their way,
they lack the extended social network that personifies our tiny land. So if any are killed in the line of duty, few accompany them on their last journey.
When Sean’s death was announced, however, his favorite soccer team, Maccabi Haifa,
encouraged their fans–via social networks–to attend his funeral.
And they came.
From all over the country.
Tens of thousands.
As one explained, ” With us there are no lone soldiers. We all share one heart.”
Melody Amsel-Arieli 