"The First to Go, the Last to Return": The Heart-Wrenching Eulogy of Talik Gvili for Her Son, Ran
"I am the proud mother of Ran, a YASAM officer who was the last to come home." Read the full, emotional eulogy delivered by Talik Gvili at the funeral of her son, Ran, whose body was retrieved from Gaza after over two years. A powerful message of national unity and sacrifice.
Talik Gvili, the mother of Master Sergeant Ran Gvili, eulogized her son Ran during his funeral today. Ran, a YASAM (Special Patrol Unit) officer, was the final fallen hostage returned to Israel this week.
"I am Talik Gvili, the proud mother of Ran, a YASAM officer, the first to go out, the last to return. The very last to come back. Thank you all for the support, the embrace, and the accompaniment during this turbulent period.
Rani, I imagine you up there on the bleachers with all the heroes of the Kingdom, with all the heroes who sacrificed their lives. I imagine you gathering them all and saying, 'You have to come hear my eulogy, it'll be cool.' I imagine you all on the bleachers, all of you, the heroes of the War of Resurrection.
Shortly after you were kidnapped, all the hostage families were invited to a meeting in Ra'anana. It was a rainy day; Dad and I left the house, driving on Highway 6, when suddenly the rain stopped, and a massive, full, magnificent rainbow appeared. We drove right into it, staring in silence, and it accompanied us until for one moment we were inside it, and then it vanished. And I knew: that was a sign from you. I just wanted to tell you, my beloved child, that the hope that you might return to us on two legs, or maybe even one, is what gave us the strength to get through this long period without you.
I imagine you now saying, 'Enough, Mom, you're embarrassing me with this "proud, proud" stuff.' But since that bitter day, every time a tear starts to fall, I remember you whispering to me, 'My proud mother.' We talked about you endlessly during this time; it seems you became everyone’s child. They know you all over the world, Rani. During these two years, I heard many eulogies for the heroes of this war, and every eulogy reminded me of you. The same values and spirit, as if they copied you one-for-one—a proud Golanchik and policeman who loves his country.
Immediately after that cursed day you were kidnapped, I remembered how you came home from work once and told me someone had spat on you. You said, 'What don’t they understand? That I am them and we are on the same side? That I’m a policeman and I’m just doing my job?' That sentence echoes in me, and I realized this is my mission—to prove we are one strong people, here to stay, and that we are all on the same side.
So Rani, my love, I promise you that largely because of you, we, the people of Israel, remembered that despite our disputes, we are one great and strong nation. Rani, the amount of hugs and love from all sides is endless.
Rani, you went out to protect everyone, and they are all worthy of your sacrifice. Seven hundred soldiers searched for you, found you, and brought you back. There is no nation like this in the world. The eye weeps bitterly, but the heart is glad.
Ran, take care to unite everyone from up there, because down here I’m a little worried. Ask the martyrs of the Kingdom to strengthen our soldiers and police because we are still on a mission to eliminate the enemies, Hamas, Jihad, the filthy terrorists who tried to scare us and startle the people of Israel. Look at what is left of you! Wait and see what will be left of you. Know this, you cowards: Rani and the heroes of the Kingdom give us the strength to erase you from the world. Our heroes are waiting for you upstairs, too.
Rani, you are so much with me, every day and every minute. I am Talik Gvili, a very, very proud mother. And thank you all for being here. Seeing you at every junction with flags along the entire route was so moving and [gave us so much] strength. You have no idea. I don’t know how we would have survived these two years and four months without you. Thank you."