[Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News] Remembering Dima Levitas

Received via email:

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We, as a family want to tell you about our loved one, Dmitri Levitas, who died in Operation Protective Edge.

We came to Israel in 1990 from Tashkent, when Dima was 2 years old. Two weeks after we came, the Gulf War started. Soon after, we moved to a kibbutz in the Golan Heights. Dima did not know Hebrew, so he was silent for three months until he started talking again.

As a boy, he was very friendly and happy, all the kids in the kibbutz loved him like he was their own brother. From childhood, he was very loyal and committed to his friends. He was a good and gentle boy who never got into trouble. His calm, relaxed character matched the nature that he loved so much. When he was 10 years old, we moved to Jerusalem. He studied in Rene Kasen School. This very fine school is known for the highest number of graduates who die in battles. Dima was musically talented and played the saxophone in a jazz band. He also had a drawing skill and loved sports. He was very curious to learn new and interesting things. He loved little children and animals. He had a lot of charisma and grace that people were drawn to. He was respectful and very polite towards others. He always had a smile on his face that lit the room.

As he turned 18 years old, he decided to be a combat soldier and was inducted to the mythological 7 division in the Armored Corps. It is the first division in the Armored Corps that was founded in 1948. He loved the army and his job as a commander. He believed in defending our country that the Jewish people have the right to live here. Her believed in giving back to the country, doing the best he can for it. He had strong moral principles, he believed in the rightness of the IDF's values. The thing he loved the most were his soldiers, he looked after them, giving personal attention to every one of them. As a soldier and commander, you could see how this gentle person also had a silent power, the strength and courage to fight and lead others.

In February 2009, he went into Gaza in Operation Oferet Yezuka and five days before the end, he got injured in his leg. As soon as he got better, he went back to the Army.

While still serving in the army, he finished a first degree in political science. He discovered that besides his great love for the armored forces, he possessed a love for learning.

In a short time, he was promoted to Commander of a tank company, in a rank of Captain. He served a total of 7 years in the IDF. On the 19th of July, he went into the Gaza Strip and on the 22nd at 7:00, he led the company ahead into Sajeiah, where he was killed by armored sniper terrorist shooting.

We want all the Jewish people to remember and perpetuate Dima. So his memory will stay forever.

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Posted By Elder of Ziyon to Elder Of Ziyon - Israel News at 4/24/2015 02:00:00 PM