Master Sgt. Elkana Vizel fell in battle on Monday. His wounds were fatal. He was the married father of four children. He previously fought as a reservist in Gaza in Operation Protective Edge (Tzuk Eitan) in 2014, when he was injured in battle. This is what he wrote in a letter to his family during the current war, in case the worst should happen:
"If you are reading these words, something must have happened to me. If I was kidnapped, I demand that no deal be made for the release of any terrorist to release me. Our overwhelming victory is more important than anything, so please continue to work with all your might so that the victory is as overwhelming as possible.
"Maybe I fell in battle. When a soldier falls in battle, it is sad, but I ask you to be happy. Don't be sad when you part with me. Touch hearts, hold each other's hands, and strengthen each other. We have so much to be proud and happy about.
"We are writing the most significant moments in the history of our nation and the entire world. So please, be happy, be optimistic, keep choosing life all the time. Spread love, light, and optimism. Look at your loved ones in the eyes and remind them that everything we go through in this life is worth it and we have something to live for.
"Don't stop the power of life for a moment. I was already wounded in Operation Tzuk Eitan, but I do not regret that I returned to fight. This is the best decision I ever made."
The first jihadist assault conquered Spain in the 8th Century AD.
From Spain the Muslims launched a campaign to defeat France, and then the rest of Europe. But French and other allies stopped the Muslim armies at Tours in 732 AD. Without Charles Martel as the defending commander, Europe almost certainly would have been lost.
In 1683 the Muslims again assembled an army big enough to attack all of Western Europe, this time from the East. Vienna would be gateway in. Vienna was besieged, outnumbered, and near defeat and capture.
But another military hero, John III Sobieski, the Polish Christian king, rallied the militaries of several European kingdoms and routed the Muslims, who fled in retreat. Europe was saved again. But was Sobieski honored for this? Almost. A 26-foot high statue commissioned to memorialize the hero, and the need to confront Islam. But for years the statue has been hidden in storage in Poland. Why? Because Viennese politicians fear that honoring a man who ...
Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, has announced a new legislative framework targeting the operation of illegal places of worship, emphasizing that non-compliance will lead to the immediate revocation of residency permits. In Agios Nikolaos, a Mosque was sealed and the alleged imam had his residency permit revoked and faces deportation.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
—Matthew 11:28-30