At a graduation ceremony held yesterday (Tuesday) at the gravesite of David Ben-Gurion in Sde Boker, Capt. (res.) Wally Wolfsthal stood out among the 45 reservists completing a medical officers’ course. Wolfsthal is the father of Ariel Mordechai, a combat officer from Battalion 9206 who fell during the building collapse disaster in the Gaza Strip.
He completed the course alongside 44 other cadets, dedicating his participation to the memory of his son.
“It was important for me to carry on his path”
The course commander, Lt. Col. (res.) Liran Matityahu, dedicated the program in its entirety to Ariel’s memory. Wolfsthal, who serves as CEO of the Valor Forum in civilian life, said during the ceremony:
“Despite the profound loss we’ve experienced as a family and as a people, it was important for me to continue Ariel’s path. In his death, he commanded us to live—and to win.”
A First-of-Its-Kind Course with Personal Inspiration
This was the first training course of its kind in Israel, designed to prepare reserve medical officers. The cadets—many of whom served in the IDF’s medical corps during the recent fighting—were carefully selected from among hundreds of applicants. The course focused on lessons from the Gaza conflict, emphasizing advanced field medicine and saving lives under fire.
Ariel’s family attended the ceremony, along with Dr. Avi Banov, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the IDF. Reflecting at the conclusion of the course, Wolfsthal said:
“It has been an honor to take part in such a special program. Ariel’s presence guided us every step of the way—and will continue to guide me in everything I do.”
