IDF soldier Nachshon Wachsman was captured by Hamas gunmen in a six-day hostage situation in 1994. After his captors failed to negotiate for 200 prisoners in exchange for his life, Wachsman was killed as an IDF soldier attempted to rescue him. His legacy has inspired several of his friends to work with the Magen David Adom, Israel’s EMS, blood-services and disaster-relief organization, the organization for which Wachsman volunteered before his death. They have become Life Guardians, able to perform CPR and other lifesaving techniques, according to The Jerusalem Post. Their training teaches them how to stop bleeding, give chest compressions, and use defibrillators, skills instrumental to saving lives in response to terrorism or accidents. Noach Gutliv, Wachsman’s childhood friend and a new Life Guardian, said, “Because of Nachshon’s connection to MDA, it was natural for us to do something in collaboration with the organization. When we heard about the Life Guardian Course, it immediately grabbed our attention because these were exactly the little things that realize our mutual responsibility.”
This is truly a labor of love for these men. It’s been 25 years since Nachshon died, and his friends have chosen to honor his memory by dedicating themselves to work that saves lives. Since terrorism is a daily threat to many Israelis, these lifesaving skills are as crucial now as ever to keeping their people safe. It gives me a sense of satisfaction knowing that Nachshon is honored not by anything that could do further violence as he had to experience. Instead he is honored through his friends’ actions to save lives rather than to take lives. May these men succeed in their continued efforts to protect and preserve the people of Israel.
(Source: The Jerusalem Post)
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