The IDF officer who lost his arm in a Hamas terrorist attack at the Gaza border in October has returned to duty with an artificial arm, which he used to hug his soldiers as he presented them with their combat soldier pins.
The Givati officer lost his arm while on a routine patrol along the Gaza security fence. His courage amazed even the most senior IDF officers, who were overwhelmed by his ability to somehow fire back at the terrorists, using one arm and his face to hold his rifle.
Shilon never doubted he would reunite with his soldiers.
Days after losing his arm, he said, “I’m getting better every day. I’ll return to my old self and I’ll make it back to the field. You have to stay optimistic.
“There’s always something to give you hope, a small corner of light at the end of the tunnel. It’s something you understand during combat service. When you’re at the 79th kilometer out of an 80 kilometer journey, you start counting the trees around you. When you get to the 100th tree, you know you made some progress.
“It’s the same with the injury. It’s a journey, a very long journey.”
Today, only three months later, he is back in the ranks of the IDF.