Ceremonies and sirens mark Memorial Day

Wednesday's Memorial Day events will begin with the sounding of a two-minute siren at 11 A.M., and will be followed by ceremonies at military cemeteries throughout the country, in remembrance of the 20,368 victims of wars and acts of terror since the country was founded in 1948.

During the past year, 169 soldiers and 63 civilians were killed, most in attacks by Palestinians.

"Israelis look upon this year's memorial day with a combination of pain and hope," David Baker, an official in the Prime Minister's Office, told Haaretz on Wednesday.

"We remember the sacrifices our country's fallen have made in order to carve out and maintain a state for the Jewish people. But we also look to the future with hope for our next generation."



http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/574905.html