I repeated what I had heard Rabbi Weiss say the day before: “Not only do we love these troops, but we know they love us and the Jewish people as well.”
I asked them to join me in saying the Mincha prayer. Most of the soldiers came from non-observant homes, so we scrounged for a few kippot. Most wore their berets.
After the Amidah we said the special Avinu Malkenu prayer, which includes the verse: “Our Father, Our King remove pestilence, sword, famine, captivity, destruction, iniquity, and persecution from the children of Your covenant.” I reflected on these words and on the swords and rockets of our enemies, the famine and poverty of the families I visited, the captivity of the three soldiers, the destruction and the pestilence which is represented by economic devastation.
As I left, soldiers came up to thank me and I couldn’t help but ponder the irony of the situation. They risk their lives to defend ours but ask no reward. We owe these brave young men and women so much and will never be able to fully repay them or properly express our gratitude. Yet here they were thanking me for one afternoon visit.