Growing up in America, we always had a ceremony during school to commemorate the Israeli soldiers who lost their lives defending our homeland.They were always done very nicely and they hit a soft spot in our hearts, but after the ceremony was over, we all continued on to our next class and that was that. Yom hazikaron for us was over. 

Having lived in this country for almost three years now I can say that my experiences on yom hazikaron are like that of which I never experienced back home.

The realization and reality has hit me. These soldiers died protecting ME. So that I can walk freely along the streets without worries. So that I could live a happier and safer life in Israel.

We have a Jewish country because these soliders left everything they were doing, everyone they loved, in order to fight for what they believed in - a jewish homeland, our homeland. 

This year, standing silently at the ceremony, listening to the siren, it was hard not to cry. These people were killed fighting to give ME a better life; the chance to live freely in this country.

I am finally a citizen of this country and I could not be more proud.

Today is the day we take commemorate and honor the bravery, courage, strength, love and devotion that each and every one of the soldiers had. 

This is the Jewish Homeland and today, we are living proof that what they did was not in vain. All I want to say is thankyou, and not a day goes by without appreciation to each and every one of you.