Dozens of people accompanied Corporal Nick Beiser, 19, a resident of Be'er Sheva, in a convoy with Israeli flags, from his home to the military cemetery where he was laid to eternal rest on Sunday.
Katya, Nick's mother, entered many hearts in the city and in the country in general. This is because she was one of the most prominent figures in the city's hostage return headquarters. And from the first moment she feared that Nick would not return because he was a soldier, but to her he was only her child. The words, videos and pictures of the beloved Nick have not left a single dry eye in the past two months. But the terrible and the family received the news that his body had been rescued from Gaza and he would never smile again and make his friends and family happy.
The funeral of the late Nick Beiser, photo: Dudu Grishpan
She painfully eulogized him: "My dear child, I never thought I would be in this position and have to say goodbye. You have no idea how much you mean to us, they received a gift 19 years ago, in which you brought us happiness and pride. Less than six months ago you enlisted, and your amazing commander suggested that I write a letter for you, for the first Shabbat you closed. I wrote, 'Our beloved little Nick. This is your first Shabbat when you are not home, but no matter how far you are, you will always be in our hearts and minds. You are a special person who fills our home with so much love, warmth, happiness and joy. Always taking care of everyone. We have not the slightest doubt that you will be a perfect soldier, just as you are a perfect son. We wish you to fulfill your dreams and succeed in whatever path you take. May your service be full of self-fulfillment and don't give up, the sky's the limit. We are very proud of you, and miss you a lot. We are always by your side, supporting and helping. We're waiting for you to come home.'
The funeral of the late Nick Beiser, photo: Dudu Grishpan
"These are the words I wrote six months ago. But there's something I couldn't, and that's that I said we'll always be by your side. We couldn't help, and be next to you when you needed it most. We couldn't keep you safe, and you will always be in our hearts, and your amazing smile will always be remembered by us. I want you to keep your sister Nicole there in heaven, and I hope you're in a better place than you have been in the last few days. Love you Nick."
His father, Sergei, eulogized him in Russian: "Nick, you were born out of love and mutual consent, you grew up and lived in love. No matter what happens next for us, you will remain alive in the future, and you will remain loved. I know that all we felt for you was just joy and love. Somehow you succeeded, and didn't disappoint us even once. I know you love us, love and protect us later on as you did - we love you."
The funeral of the late Nick Beiser, photo: Dudu Grishpan
Nicole, his sister, eulogized him: "Nick, I love you. During all this time I talked about how much of my best friend you were and I would trade them all for you. How much I love you. I would bring anything to not be in this position. I will fulfill all your dreams and mine, as you always wanted. I'll take care of your girlfriend, because I know how much you love her. That's what you wanted to do now, and you did the best you could.
"You were a good brother, and you did all your job. You always told me what was right and what wasn't, you would hug me a lot, and I always said throughout this period that you had the best hug, and that when you came I would hug you. I can't wait to see you up there again, and I ask you to come to me in dreams and talk. You've always said you don't have to worry, and I promise you that on my birthday I'll come here and sit with you, and tell you how it was for me. I love you very much, and as Mom said, I ask you to look after Mom and Dad."
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