(Live Here) – A moving initiative by friends and family that commemorated the memory of Senior Sergeant (Res.) Sebastian Ayon, the late, who fell in Gaza. The unique journey combined a walk along the new sea path and a sail along the northern coast, and became a powerful day of remembrance, pride and connection.
Many years of military service and death in the battle of Shifa
Senior Sergeant (res.) Sebastian Ayon, 51, from Rosh Ha-Ayin, served as commander of the 401st Brigade Combat Team. His dedication to national security was deep and evident throughout his many years of service. Despite an injury he sustained during his regular service, he insisted on continuing to serve in the reserves out of a deep sense of mission and belief in the need to defend the homeland. He fell in battle inside Shifa Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip on March 19, 2024, while participating in a complex operational activity. The circumstances of his fall testify to his courage and willingness to lead his forces on the front lines of combat. His death left behind a wife and four children, who proudly carried his memory throughout the journey. Before his fall, he expressed his deep feelings on his Facebook account and wrote: "We have no other home and we have no option but to lose, we must win," words that testify to his belief in the righteousness of the path and his dedication. Uncompromising to the country and its security.
Walking along the new seaside path north of Acre
The first section of the journey focused on a walk along Israel's new coastal path, from Rosh HaNikra to the Old City of Acre. This path, which winds along the western coastline, was chosen as a symbol of connection to the country and its landscapes, values that the late Sebastian Ayon, who immigrated to Israel from Argentina in 1988 and was an ardent Zionist, would surely have connected to. The shared walk allowed participants to share personal memories of Sebastian, recall shared experiences, and strengthen the bonds between them. Among the participants in the walk was Sebastian's son, who walked his last path along the coast, commemorating his memory and expressing his pride in his father and his legacy. The son's presence added a particularly personal and powerful dimension to this section of the journey. The walk along the path allowed participants to connect with nature and the breathtaking landscapes of the Western Galilee, while sharing memories and commemorating the figure of the fallen.
Continuing the journey on a cruise from Acre to Haifa
After arriving in Acre, the journey continued on an impressive sea segment towards the city of Haifa. The initiator of the idea, Ronen Eliyahu, managed to harness the wonderful Carmel sailing community, which responded immediately and came to help with several yachts. The spirit of volunteerism and solidarity of the maritime community contributed greatly to the success of this special day. This moving mobilization allowed many family and friends to join the sea segment, which became a particularly shared and moving experience. Sebastian's son also joined the voyage, continuing the journey in memory of his father on the water, a symbolic step that testifies to the deep connection between father and son. In retrospect, it turned out that one of the sailors was even a relative of Sebastian's, which added an even more personal and moving touch to Memorial Day.
A combination of joy, pride, sadness and memory
Ronen Eliyahu described the special day as mixed with various and powerful feelings. Alongside the heavy sadness over the loss of Sebastian, there was also pride in his heroism and his journey, and joy over the connection and participation of family and friends, led by his son, who was a full partner in all parts of the journey. The journey was not only a somber memorial event, but also a gathering of a community that unites around the memory of a loved one. The combination of walking along the landscapes of the country and sailing on the sea created a holistic experience that connected the participants to Sebastian's legacy and values.
Memorial sites along the North Coast
The stretch of coast between Rosh HaNikra and Acre contains many memorial sites, commemorating important chapters in the country's history and tragic events. Among the sites are sites dedicated to illegal immigrants, the fallen of the Dakar Rally, the fallen of the 13th Shayetet disaster, and more. The fact that the journey passed near these sites added another layer of meaning and depth, and reminded us of the deep connection between the fallen, the land, and the sea. The presence of these memorial sites along the route strengthened the sense of belonging and the continuity of the heritage, and emphasized the importance of remembering the fallen throughout the generations.
Exciting participation of family members
Among the participants in the memorial journey were members of the late Sebastian Ayon's family, including his daughters, his brothers with their children, and other relatives. Their presence gave the journey a particularly personal and moving touch, and testified to the deep love and appreciation they felt for him. Their active participation in the journey, both in walking, led by his brave son, and in sailing, was a powerful expression of his memory and legacy. The journey became for them a day of unity and mutual support amidst the pain and longing, and strengthened the sense of community and close-knit family.
A spontaneous initiative that turned into a special day
The journey, which began as a personal idea by Ronen Eliyahu to walk along the Sea Trail in memory of Sebastian, quickly developed into a moving community initiative. The simple desire to remember and commemorate a loved one led to the creation of a special and meaningful day, which combined nature, memory, community and family. The spontaneity of the initiative and the impressive response of the community testify to Sebastian's great appreciation and the strong desire to commemorate his memory in a unique and touching way. This sea and land journey will undoubtedly be a strong and moving memory for everyone who participated in it, and will commemorate the memory of the late Sebastian Ayon in a dignified and moving way.
