Major (res.) Malul is considered to be the brigade fighter in which he has been serving for 30 years • Pain for five children and five more adopted, he salutes his wife: "She cared for the children"
Eliyahu and Tamar Malul with one of the boys serving in the Navy // Photo: Courtesy of DoZ
"When I was in the army, I met June Netanyahu, who was the 71st Battalion commander," recalls Major Eliyahu Malul, 62, of Kiryat Yam. "He noticed that I was well-navigated and offered to join him.
Elijah is proud to say that he has been serving in the army for more than 40 years, enlisted a year after the Yom Kippur War and never left completely. "When I'm called, I come," he says.
Last night, a commemoration ceremony was held for reserve soldiers, and Elijah blended well. He saw wars in the north and operations in the south, served as commander of the Armored Corps Company and did not miss a day of reserve duty in his life. For the past 30 years, he has served in the design of the Steel Carriages, the Reserve Armor Brigade, as the Commander of the Home Front Company.
"I'm considered to be the brigade fighter," he says. After another battle day on the Gaza border, his role is ever more relevant - "My role is to push the logistics complex forward. It is not theoretical at all, and according to what we hear in the media, it can also happen soon. In the routine, I come to reserve duty in the IDF. The brigade's motto is "Tomorrow's war, are you ready?", And indeed we should be prepared for any scenario. "
His personal story is also exciting and inspiring. Over the years Elijah and his wife Tamar have brought into the world five biological children and adopted five more. In the meantime, for 36 years, their home has been an input and foster home, helping children at risk start a new journey.
"I started dealing with the reserve days already in the first Lebanon war. I had two babies and he went to battle," says Tamar. "Elijah loves the army but it's time for him to retire. Some young people will do the job," she laughs. "He's a champion, I'm proud of him. Everywhere he comes, including a vacation in Thailand, he meets people he has taught as a teacher or as a teacher and as an officer." . And she also has an optimization proposal for the chief of staff: "Once upon a time, the women would take a fun day to Eilat, without the men. After all, we make more reserves than they do - because the house has to continue to function. "
"Tamar is an amazing woman who gives the soul. My lovely wife took care of the children while I was in the reserve. Many children have passed through our house, and some of us have adopted and today they are our children. We have 15 grandchildren, yes they will," Eliyahu says. He says that it is not easy for him to tell himself, but he understands that there is room to inspire the younger generation and prove that they can contribute to the reserve and the state for decades.
He wishes to acknowledge the commanders who allow him to continue in the reserve service: "Every time a commander changes, I introduce myself and say that I am happy that he agrees that I will continue to come, it is not obvious. I do everything and am not ashamed to work. Put the ranks on purpose, and I have no problem replacing my reserve man in the kitchen and cleaning pots, must give a personal example. I will continue to contribute as long as I can. "