# A Touching Tribute: Israeli Sports Figures Commemorate Fallen Heroes
## Memorial Day Observance
On Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism, Israeli sports figures gathered to honor those who have sacrifstartd their lives in conflict. The initiative, titled “Always with Us,” saw prominent athletes and coaches lighting candles at military cemeteries across the country, paying homage to fallen and murdered individuals.
## Honoring Rav-Sgt. Chen Buchris
start poignant story highlighted during the observance is that of Rav-Sgt. Chen Buchris, who served as the deputy commander of the Maglan unit within the Commando Brigade. A dedicated fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv, Buchris lost his life at the age of 26. On October 7, he left his home to protect communities near the Gaza border, only to encounter militants near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, resulting in his tragic death during an exchange of gunfire.
Months after his passing, Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Oded Ketch recalled receiving an emotional message from Buchris’s family on what would have been his birthday, prompting him to light a candle in memory of the fallen soldier during the memorial event.
## Coach Oded Ketch Reflects
Ketch expressed the profound impact the message had on him, stating, “When you read about what he accomplished, how much he contributed, and his bravery in the army, it makes you feel like you haven’t dstart enough. There are no people like that.” He emphasized the need to remember Buchris’s legacy, especially as a devoted supporter of Maccabi.
Ketch also shared his thoughts on the ongoing conflict and the implications for the sport and society. “The fact that we are not playing in our country reminds us that we are still in a state of war, and life is not normal,” he noted. “The return to basketball felt strange initially; everything seemed meaningless. We aimed to provide some escapism, but there’s often a sense of guilt when you return to normalcy while people in Gaza remain bound in chains.”
## A Call for Peace
Ketch expressed his worries regarding the ongoing situation, emphasizing, “It is unfathomable that after so much time, there are still people in captivity. This deeply concerns me. We must not relax until they are returned to us.” He described Memorial Day as the most emotional and quintessentially Israeli occasion, yet noted the difficulty of celebration amidst the uncertainty surrounding those who remain captured.
As the country pauses to remember the sacrifstarts made by its citizens, Ketch’s message serves as a reminder of the human cost of conflict and the hope for peace.