Col. Ilan Ramon, the Israeli astronaut who perished aboard the Columbia space shuttle ten days ago, was buried today in Moshav Nahalal, southeast of Haifa. Ramon, 48, is survived by his wife Rona and four children. According to his family's request, only 300 family members, friends and Israel Air Force officers participated in the funeral. More remains of one of the seven astronaut's bodies were found today in a field in Texas.
At yesterday's memorial ceremony for Ilan Ramon, President Moshe Katzav said the following:
"There were two major events, two missions that Col. Ilan Ramon carried out in his lifetime, in the name of the State of Israel, that held international importance and that held the world’s attention. In 1981, Ilan participated in a courageous operation [the bombing of Iraq's nuclear reactor], in utmost secrecy, together with his Air Force comrades, in order to prevent a tragedy. The world, at that time, did not understand the gravity of the situation, and there were those who condemned this action. Today, the tides have turned, and many have blessed the operation in Iraq. Had Ilan and his friends at that time not endangered their lives in this mission - with hindsight, it is obvious that a much greater danger would be hovering over Israel and other countries.
"Approximately one month ago, Ilan, together with his companions, took part in another courageous mission, in the space shuttle Columbia, this time in the name of humanity, in the name of progress.
"These two events encompass Ilan Ramon’s personality - his pleasant nature, decisiveness, belief, courage, willingness to sacrifice himself, responsibility, striving for excellence, sense of mission, straightforwardness, and modesty. We were all captivated with his magic, and all admired him.
" … He brought, in the days leading up to the flight, and during the journey, in his special way a universal, humanitarian and national message. This was also the case in the email he sent me, where he asked me to pass on the following message to the Israeli public. His words were those of vision and belief. I would like to read the following from his letter to me:
“…It is my honor and pleasure to write this letter to you from space... This morning we flew above Israel, not for the first time, but this time was the best. I was able to clearly see Jerusalem and at that time, when I saw our capital I recited a special prayer: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is one.' ... I believe, as I have said many times, that our country is comprised of the best people, with phenomenal abilities, and all we are missing is the correct leadership to raise Israelis to the skies!…"
"…One man, was able in his last days, in his short life, with his strength of character to capture for a brief moment, before his death, the whole of the Jewish nation. People of Israel, secular and religious, right and left, united around the personality of Ilan Ramon, while he was still alive. He was a representative and a symbol of the nation.
"Ilan’s request to postpone the shuttle’s launch from the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av [a day of national mourning in memory of the destruction of the Temple] to the next day, in order that the festive atmosphere surrounding the launch not eclipse this sad day; the sanctification of the Sabbath in space; ensuring that there was Kosher food on the shuttle; the prayer “Shma Yisrael - Hear O Israel” as he flew over Jerusalem - all demonstrated to humanity Ilan Ramon’s special place, as a Jew and an Israeli, and thanks to this man, we were all filled with pride, unity and love. Ilan’s decision to take symbols into space that are symbolic of the Jewish nation, the State of Israel, the holocaust and the restoration… these were moments that were spiritually uplifting."
The President also sent condolences to the families of the other astronauts who perished on the Columbia, and mentioned their names.
At yesterday's memorial ceremony for Ilan Ramon, President Moshe Katzav said the following:
"There were two major events, two missions that Col. Ilan Ramon carried out in his lifetime, in the name of the State of Israel, that held international importance and that held the world’s attention. In 1981, Ilan participated in a courageous operation [the bombing of Iraq's nuclear reactor], in utmost secrecy, together with his Air Force comrades, in order to prevent a tragedy. The world, at that time, did not understand the gravity of the situation, and there were those who condemned this action. Today, the tides have turned, and many have blessed the operation in Iraq. Had Ilan and his friends at that time not endangered their lives in this mission - with hindsight, it is obvious that a much greater danger would be hovering over Israel and other countries.
"Approximately one month ago, Ilan, together with his companions, took part in another courageous mission, in the space shuttle Columbia, this time in the name of humanity, in the name of progress.
"These two events encompass Ilan Ramon’s personality - his pleasant nature, decisiveness, belief, courage, willingness to sacrifice himself, responsibility, striving for excellence, sense of mission, straightforwardness, and modesty. We were all captivated with his magic, and all admired him.
" … He brought, in the days leading up to the flight, and during the journey, in his special way a universal, humanitarian and national message. This was also the case in the email he sent me, where he asked me to pass on the following message to the Israeli public. His words were those of vision and belief. I would like to read the following from his letter to me:
“…It is my honor and pleasure to write this letter to you from space... This morning we flew above Israel, not for the first time, but this time was the best. I was able to clearly see Jerusalem and at that time, when I saw our capital I recited a special prayer: 'Hear O Israel, the Lord is our G-d, the Lord is one.' ... I believe, as I have said many times, that our country is comprised of the best people, with phenomenal abilities, and all we are missing is the correct leadership to raise Israelis to the skies!…"
"…One man, was able in his last days, in his short life, with his strength of character to capture for a brief moment, before his death, the whole of the Jewish nation. People of Israel, secular and religious, right and left, united around the personality of Ilan Ramon, while he was still alive. He was a representative and a symbol of the nation.
"Ilan’s request to postpone the shuttle’s launch from the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av [a day of national mourning in memory of the destruction of the Temple] to the next day, in order that the festive atmosphere surrounding the launch not eclipse this sad day; the sanctification of the Sabbath in space; ensuring that there was Kosher food on the shuttle; the prayer “Shma Yisrael - Hear O Israel” as he flew over Jerusalem - all demonstrated to humanity Ilan Ramon’s special place, as a Jew and an Israeli, and thanks to this man, we were all filled with pride, unity and love. Ilan’s decision to take symbols into space that are symbolic of the Jewish nation, the State of Israel, the holocaust and the restoration… these were moments that were spiritually uplifting."
The President also sent condolences to the families of the other astronauts who perished on the Columbia, and mentioned their names.