On Tuesday, 22/7/03, a ceremony was held to award a token of appreciation to the Israeli astronaut, the late Col. Ilan Ramon, at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Chief of Staff, Major General Moshe Ya'alon, and the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Dan Halutz
On Tuesday, 22/7/03, a ceremony was held to award a token of appreciation to the Israeli astronaut, the late Col. Ilan Ramon, at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv. The ceremony was held in the presence of the Chief of Staff, Major General Moshe Ya'alon, and the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Dan Halutz.
"Half a year has passed since we saw the Torah scroll in space... since we heard, from here and there, "Hear my voice"... since the charred flag was found... since we laid to rest the late Major General Ilan Ramon. Since the fall of space" was said in the ceremony.
Below is the wording of the letter of appreciation: "The late Major General Ilan Ramon, one of the best pilots and commanders of the Air Force, fell while performing his duties, as the first Israeli space pilot, in the crash of the space shuttle 'Columbia', on the 1th of the Shebat 2003, February XNUMX, XNUMX" .
"Ilan excelled during his service as a pilot and as a commander. As a pilot he performed a variety of combat missions which included, among other things, the attack on the nuclear reactor in Iraq in Operation "Opera". As a combat commander in the Air Force, he performed key command and staff positions - all in his own special spirit and manner: professionally, modestly, courageously, while setting a personal example and exemplary leadership. Because of all these, Ilan was chosen for the position of the first Israeli space pilot.
"This token of appreciation is awarded to the late Col. Ilan Ramon for the way he represented the State of Israel and the IDF, while demonstrating endless love and loyalty to his legacy and his people. In his life and in his death, Ilan served as a representative and as an ambassador of the people in Israel and the Diaspora. The late Col. Ilan Ramon will be remembered as an outstanding officer, as an exemplary man, a trailblazer and a loyal son to his people and country."
