Memorial Day is for freedoms defenders like our son Omer Neutra, slain by Hamas
On Monday we join all Americans to honor those brave men and women of our military who gave their lives to secure liberty — and we reflect, too, on the life of our son, Capt.Omer Neutra.Omer, raised on Long Island, was a kind, gentle soul who made people feel included and cared for.
He was a protector, the captain of his high school basketball team at Solomon Schechter Day School who rooted for the Knicks.When he was accepted to SUNY Binghamton, it seemed Omer had a comfortable American life ahead of him.Instead, at age 19, he postponed college and enlisted as a soldier in the Israel Defense Forces.Omer wanted to serve, to protect, to stand as a guardian against those who would harm the innocent.On Oct.
7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched their brutal attack, murdering over 1,200 innocent people and kidnapping 251 others.The dead included 45 American citizens; 12 Americans were taken hostage.Omer was one of thousands of first responders who rushed toward danger to protect civilians.
He displayed selfless valor and bravery.Wednesday marks 600 days since that horrific attack — an unthinkable number.For 421 of those days, we believed Omer was alive, held captive by Hamas.In December we learned the devastating truth: Our son was killed on Oct.
7 while defending innocent lives.His body remains held by terrorists who view human dignity as negotiable.The reality of losing our son hit us in waves — first, the shock of learning he was gone; then the surreal experience of seeing his sacrifice recognized publicly.When we see the Nassau County street sign bearing our son’s name, it’s beyond comprehension.Yet it’s fitting that his name marks a place where our local community has consistently gathered since Oct.7 to fight for the return of all hostages.On the day Omer’s death was announced, flags at all state buildings were lowered to half-staff.In that moment, we felt the weight of how our country honors sacrifice, how it acknowledges those who serve and pay th...