We recently began a moving initiative to commemorate the late Dror Altun, a YAMAM (Sspecial Counter-Terrorism Unit) fighter who fell on Saturday, October 7, 2023, on the entrance road to Sderot.
Dror Altun was and remains a distilled essence of his homeland's landscape – physical, human, and mental. A courageous warrior; devoted to his country, family, and friends, who practiced what he preached; accomplished great things while remaining humble in his ways. His fall in battle on October 7 reflects the path of his life: courage, commitment to mission, endless dedication, and willingness to sacrifice.
Dror has fallen, but the void he left is filled with the vast world he left behind. His life was painted with spectacular brushstrokes in a variety of colors and layers upon layers. His physical absence does not uproot his presence from the lives of those who remain. He leaves behind a breathing and pulsating collection of dreams, hopes, plans, parents, siblings, a wife, and a child. The songs he listened to still echo in the ears of his loved ones; the paths he walked, on family trips and grueling military journeys, are imprinted in the earth and etched in memory. Those who love and admire him embrace the noble values he championed and aspire to follow in his footsteps.
Out of the grief and shock from the fall of Dror, a young man full of life, and from the deep pain that he didn't have time to realize so many dreams and hopes, arises the desire to immortalize his path and legacy and to do everything to preserve his memory.
In the first stage, we intend to perpetuate Dror's memory and continue his path. Our main goal is to establish a memorial site that will embody his spirit, values, and journey.
The site we intend to establish in his memory, to be called "Ma'alot Dror," should reflect his multifaceted personality and blend in with the rocky terrain without harming the pristine landscape.
Therefore, the area we chose to commemorate Dror is a rocky ridge in Tzurit, where Dror grew up, among the landscapes and scents he held dear. The site will extend across the ridge and integrate with the topographic contours. It will serve as a junction of hiking and cycling trails and will be organized into several layers/levels/courtyards, each dedicated to a topic or value close to Dror’s heart. The intention is to establish a site that will be a center for vibrant social and community activity for travelers, families, soldiers, high school students, and pre-military academy participants who will experience powerful moments that resonate with his multifaceted personality and strengthen visitors' connection with the values that guided Dror in his life – virtues that, if followed, will make Israeli society ever better.
Today, we come to you, those who cherish his memory and dear friends, and ask for your help by contributing to the commemoration effort. Every donation you make will help establish the "Ma'alot Dror", develop educational and community activities, and ensure the preservation of Dror's legacy for future generations.
And according to the saying: "A person lives as long as there are those who remember them," help us ensure that Dror's memory continues to shine and live with us.
Detailed Budget for the Current Year (in thousands of NIS):
Planning costs – 250
Preparation of the memorial site for construction – 210
Construction costs – 880
Electricity infrastructure – 85
Water infrastructure – 75
Landscaping (trees, benches, etc.) – 150
Payment processing and general expenses – 10
Memorial projects (sport events, shirts, stickers, school activities) – 120
Salary expenses – 0
Total - 1,780,000 NIS
