Memorial Day is for freedom's 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.
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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.
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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.
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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 the ultimate price — not just for their nation, but for the cause of freedom itself, wherever that battle must be fought.
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Freedom requires ordinary people to make extraordinary choices. It demands that some give their lives so that others may live in liberty.
The American people understand the sacred principle of 'leave no one behind' — a commitment that defines military service and bonds soldiers together in an unbreakable covenant.
Two weeks ago, we witnessed the joyous release of Edan Alexander, another American-Israeli soldier who, like Omer, went to Israel to serve.
Edan's family lives in New Jersey, and our sons shared so much in common. They were both at the same post on Oct. 7, and we learned in hindsight that they knew each other.
Over these 20 months, we, the Alexanders and all the hostage families have united in grief, hope and determination. We're relieved Edan is back and pray that his return begins the release of all the remaining hostages.
President Trump has assured us that he is committed to that goal — and his leadership has brought unprecedented progress. There's a growing realization that until it happens, real healing in the Middle East cannot occur.
A deal to release all the hostages must be signed and this war needs to end.
The terrorists who took our son's life and continue to hold his body, along with the 57 remaining hostages, represent the antithesis of everything we honor on Memorial Day.
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They target civilians, celebrate death and use human beings as bargaining chips.
They seek to destroy the very freedoms that American and Israeli service members have died to protect.
On Memorial Day, we remember that the fight for freedom takes many forms and crosses many borders.
Many Americans, like our Omer, serve as guardians against terror in different lands but with the same noble purpose: protecting the innocent and preserving liberty.
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The values we celebrate on Monday — sacrifice, service and unwavering commitment to freedom — live in the hearts of all who choose to stand against evil, who rush toward danger when others flee, and who understand that some things are worth more than life itself.
As we honor America's fallen heroes, we also honor our son Omer and all who have given their lives in defense of freedom.
Their sacrifice demands that we never forget, never surrender to those who would destroy liberty, and never stop fighting for the return of those still held in darkness.
Ronen and Orna Neutra are the parents of Capt. Omer Neutra.
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