Shimon (Kacha) Kahner fought in many of the Israeli wars • Continued to serve even though he was critically wounded in the coming one and became disabled • At the same time, he did much farming and cattle raising

• Shimon (Kacza) Kahner // Photo: Photography Gil Eliyahu - Ginny

Col. (res.) Shimon (Kacza) Kahner, the mythical warrior from Unit 101 passed away tonight (Monday) at the age of 85. He is survived by a wife, four children and seven grandchildren.

In 1953, Meir Har-Zion was recruited into Unit 101, which was formed by former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, then Major. In 1955, he participated in the reserve service as a platoon commander in the Nitzana area. During the battle he was critically injured in his stomach, About six months and remains disabled.

However, he continued to serve in the army and even served as a brigade commander during the First Lebanon War. At the same time as the military service, Kacha worked extensively in agriculture and for many years worked in the cattle raising of Kibbutz Neve Eitan. He later became the owner of a cattle farm in Gilboa. In the past, he served as secretary of the Cattle Farmers Association as well as the CEO of Ammunition Hill.

"Kecha was one of the largest fighters who rose to the IDF," Defense Minister Naftali Bennett said. Kecha participated in the liberation of Jerusalem in the six days and the success of the Canal on Yom Kippur. Kecha's legacy will pave the way for IDF fighters. "

Sad about Kacha Zal's lap. Israel lost a masterpiece, a fierce paratrooper, one of the founders of Unit 101 who fought shoulder to shoulder with Meir Har Zion. Kecha for me will forever be remembered as the hero of Israel, a man of earth and pioneer before the camp, who took responsibility for the protection of the people and the land all his life. Of blessed memory! pic.twitter.com/d6dAtzc9FD

- Moshe 'Boogie' Ya'alon (@bogie_yaalon) January 28, 2020

MK Boogie Ya'alon eulogized Kahner on his Twitter page: "Sad about Kacha Zal's lap. Israel lost a masterpiece, a fierce paratrooper, one of the founders of Unit 101 who fought shoulder to shoulder with Meir Har Zion. Kecha for me will forever be remembered as the hero of Israel, a man of earth and pioneer before the camp, who took responsibility for the protection of the people and the land all his life. "

"I was honored to know Kacha, who was one of the greatest fighters who served in the IDF, as commander of Unit 101 in paratroopers and as a partner in liberating Jerusalem during the Six-Day War and Yom Kippur," MK Avigdor Lieberman wrote on Twitter.

MK Nir Barkat told Twitter about his acquaintance with Kacza: "As a young boy, I would come to Ammunition Hill and learn about Kaccha and Unit 101's heroism, inspired by I joined paratroopers like many others at the time. As mayor of Jerusalem, I was privileged to know his qualities, his kindness and his love for the Land of Israel. Kacca would steadily arrive at Ammunition Hill from his home in the Beit Shean Valley as part of his position as chairman and CEO of Ether and Ammunition Hill. The people of Israel owe him much. It's an opportunity to say thank you to him, that I loved and greatly appreciated him. "

Participates in the Kahner family's grief over the death of the Israeli hero, the liberator of Jerusalem, Colonel (res.) Shimon (Kacha) ZL.
As a young boy, I would come to Ammunition Hill and learn about Kacha and Unit 101's heroism, inspired by the fact that I joined paratroopers like many others at the time. >>

- Nir Barkat (@NirBarkat) January 28, 2020

Kacha will be brought to rest this Thursday at Kibbutz Neve Eitan.

Yoram Crain Regional Council Chairman Yoram Kerin: "Very sad this morning in the valley, dear and beloved man passed away - Kecha, the Israeli hero and fighter in the legendary fighter group Unit 101, Valley Man, cattle and entrepreneurship. Kecha has hardly stopped working until his last day. To initiate, write and be active in many fields At our last meeting, he brought me his new book So Happy And Together, we planned his release Unfortunately, Kacza did not launch the book that tells his personal story but his handprint and work will remain here forever. Embrace the Kahner-Ruthi family, the children and grandchildren, and the entire Beit Neve Eitan.