Hundreds participated in a Tuesday night Memorial Day ceremony in Jerusalem’s German Colony.

Memorial Day (Yom Hazikaron) commemorates Israel’s fallen soldiers and victims of terror. IDF soldiers from a wide assortment of companies marched in memory of the nation’s fallen soldiers and terror victims, and particularly moving was watching the volunteer Special in Uniform corps among them.

Unlike many other countries, most of Israel’s wars have been fought on home turf. This, coupled with the fact that Israel is a small country with a population of only 8 million, contributes to the doleful reality that there is hardly an adult in the country who isn’t personally familiar with at least one casualty of war or terror.

Special in Uniform Program Director Lt. Colonel (Res.) Tiran Attia said, “Tonight, we remember the heroic men and women who gave their lives for Israel, whether they served in the IDF, Israel's Armed Forces, or were victims of terror.”

“What’s so special about this ceremony is seeing our volunteer soldiers from Special in Uniform marching alongside troops from all companies and brigades. Special in Uniform is an awe-inspiring societal triumph, enabling youngsters with disabilities to serve the army and thus contribute their share to the nation.”

Michael Bibas, who marched in the ceremony, is currently in the volunteer stage of the program.

“Today is the day that our entire country remembers our soldiers,” he said, “which is why it’s so important to me to take part in this ceremony.”

Special in Uniform is a unique program operating in partnership with the Jewish National Fund (JNF) to integrate young people with a wide variety of disabilities into the Israel Defense Forces. The progra emphasizes the unique talents and skills of each individual, matching each one to a suitable job within the IDF and allowing participants to use their abilities to help keep Israel safe and secure.