On Israel's 62nd Independence Day, 120 soldiers gathered at the President's Residence in Jerusalem to receive the prestigious President's Award for Execellence from President Shimon Peres.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, IDF Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benny Ganz, and members of the IDF General Staff.
President Peres and Chief of Staff Gantz review the soldiers.
...and wish them well.
President Peres presents the soldiers to those attending the ceremony.
Watch as IDF soldiers share their feelings about Israel and their role in defending the Jewish state in this clip broadcast during the ceremony.