Ilan Ramon was a fighter pilot in the Israeli Air Force, and later the first Israeli astronaut. His mission ended abruptly when Space Shuttle Columbia was destroyed and its crew perished during re-entry, 16 minutes before scheduled landing.
His son Assaf was killed one week ago, aged 21, during a routine training flight while piloting his F-16, 3 months after graduating from the IAF flight school with the Sword of Honor as the top cadet in his graduating class.
This incident raised other than a great deal of sorrow in Israeli society also a very difficult moral question. According to law, if you come from a bereaved family - serving in a combat unit can only be pursued with the parents' signature and permission.
And just imagine - that decision the mother is facing, in that moment her son stands in front of her. Will she let him pursue his childhood dream of becoming a pilot, fulfilling his abilities, following his father, or not? Is she going to let her "selfish" feelings (are they really?) stop him? her worry?
Rona Ramon did not - and that makes you thing - what does she feel today?
I think more than a moral question, of what kind of responsibility does the parent get and what a place this leaves the parent in - this issue also brings up some questions about liberty and coercion. (which I can definitely raise but perhaps not answer...)
Should the state interfere in such a situation? wouldn't it be more "fair" or just if bereaved sons and brothers were not allowed to risk their lives in combat units? for the sake of their families?
On the one hand this would probably benefit the "well being" of the family and would not put a parent in such a difficult emotional place if the state makes that decision, but on the other hand it would very clearly limit the liberty of this one individual who is truly interested in serving in a combat unit. Who can make such a decision? a mother? the state? should every individual be allowed to make it for himself without any coercion (interference..) ?
One last thing -I know I talk\write a lot about Israel and the army, that's because these things are a part of my life.
So... yeah, not gonna apologize for that.
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