I arrived in Israel on the morning of Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day). Unlike Memorial Day in the United States, in Israel Yom Hazikaron is a universally somber day on which the entire country grieves the loss of more than 20,000 heroic lives lost in the defense of the People of Israel and the Land of Israel.

As I end my year of mourning, I specifically wanted to be here in Israel on Yom Hazikaron and to participate in the national day of mourning. Attending several Yom Hazikaron events and particularly paying my respects for several hours at the Har Herzel military cemetery in Jerusalem vividly demonstrated that while the entire nation mourns, death and the feelings of loss are intensely personal.

The following images taken during my several hour visit to Har Herzel this past Wednesday convey more poignantly than words that the loss never stops hurting for the families of Israel’s fallen.

May the memories of these heroes be blessed.

May the Almighty comfort the grieving families.