Memorial day 1992 Huberman

  • Issue: April 1992
  • Designer: I. Gabay
  • Stamp size: 30.8 x 30.8 mm
  • Plate no.: 153
  • Sheet of 15 stamps Tabs: 5
  • Printers: E. Lewin-Epstein Ltd.
  • Method of printing: Offset

At its inception, in 1950, the Border Guard consisted of less than one hundred men and was a branch of the Israel Defence Forces (IDE.).

In 1951 the unit was transferred to the police and reorganized into three squadrons. Members of the Border Guard were volunteers, inducted into permanent service.

Many of the men stemmed from minorities Druze, Bedouin and Cherkese. The amiable relationship and efficient performance of these groups with Jewish men has characterized the Guard until this day.

Even as a branch of the police, the Border Guard was always military in character. They served as security forces along the borders. The fact that they were police enabled them to serve in areas where the army could not function due to truce agreements. Thus, the main brunt of guarding border settlements fell upon the Border Guard.

By 1954 the Guard was organized into battalions and had bases all along Israel's beleaguered borders. Men from these bases fulfilled crucial duties of patrolling dangerous areas and protecting citizens from infiltrators whose object was theft and murder. During the Sinai campaign in 1956, the forces of the Border Guard took an active part in demilitarizing Gaza and enforcing law and order.

As a result of the terrorist activity of the "Fatah' the Guard intensified its activities in 1965. Since 1964 the IDE. has been sending soldiers to the Guard for enforcement. Many of them choose to stay on as career men.

After the Six Day War the Border Guard was once again reorganized, this time into brigades. In addition to their many duties they were entrusted with the responsibility of keeping order in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. Side by side, with the IDE., they fought terrorism.

In 1975, the Israel Police Department was put in charge of the war against terrorist acts in the entire country. The Border Guard trained special units for dispersing demonstrations and for guarding Ben-Gurion Airport and the sea ports of Haifa, Ashdod and Eilat. Forces of the Guard took part in capturing terrorists and freeing hostages during the bus attack on the coastal highway in March 1978 and during the bus hijacking in Dimona in 1988. The Guard also aided in capturing escaped criminals.

During the Lebanon War the Border Guard restored order in Southern Lebanon and ensured the fact that the area was free of terrorists. On November 11, 1982 tragedy struck when a building which housed Guard forces in Tsor was blown up, killing scores of men.

Since 1988, violence has increased in Judea, Samaria, Gaza and Jerusalem and the Border Guard has spearheaded all security measures in these areas.

Consequently, the force has earned a place of honour on the security map of the State of Israel.

Border guard memorial at Eiron junction

On a hill covered with carob trees, near the western turn off to Nahal Eiron Road, a monument has been erected to the men of the Border Guard who have fallen in action.

Wide steps lead up to the monument square. On the left stands a long, sculptured wall engraved with hills and deserts, symbolizing the "Border".

At the end of the wall we come to the memorial. On the east and on the south five stone walls close off the square. Basalt stone from Galilee, chalk stone from the Jerusalem hills and granite from the hills of Eilat represent the diversity of Border Guard service. These walls are visible to drivers travelling on the Nahal Eiron Road. The "Wall of Flowers" is on the north and the following inscription from Jeremiah, 15, 20 is engraved upon it: "And I shall give thee to this nation as a fortified wall of copper, and those who fight thee will not succeed". This quotation is a fitting tribute to the unique men of the Border Guard.

Near the wall, there are steps for ceremonies and the laying of wreaths.

The focal point of the monument can be found at the place where the Border Wall and the Flower Wall meet. Exactly at that point, an observation tower has been built. At the heart of the tower stands a room upon whose walls are inscribed the names of 206 men who fell in action. An eternal torch burns at the centre of the room. At the top of the observation tower there are metal maps which help one to observe the surrounding landscape. Intertwining trenches lead down from the tower, symbolizing the many trenches and desolate positions where Guard forces spend long nights.

The site was designed by Vechiel Arad and was dedicated in 1981. The first memorial monument to Border Guard forces was erected at a base near Kibbutz Eyal. The names of 38 fallen men are inscribed there. These men fell between 1952 and 1966.

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Memorial day 1992