Sargeant Major Krichman Nir
Son of Hadas and Pniel Krichman
Born in Hadera, on May 26, 1979.
Joined the Israel Defense Forces in January 1998.
Fell in military action against terrorists in the I.D.F. campaign “Deffensive Shield" on April 22, 2002.
Served in the Naval Commando Unit of the Israel Navy.
Place of Death – Near the village Asir-A-Shmalia , north of Nablus.
Buried in Hadera, Israel.
Bereaved family – his parents Pniel and Hadas, an older brother Ran and a younger sister Sivan.
Nir was born in Hadera on May 26, 1979, younger brother to Ran. A lively and smiling child, Nir was always surrounded by friends.
His childhood was spent with his family and friends on trips, at the beach and in various outdoor activities . It was only natural that his birthdays were always celebrated in nature .
On his ninth birthday his good friend Yuval Vizman handed him a computer program: ”computer Jokes” and in his inscription he wrote : "For the faithful help you gave me during the difficult period I’ve been through , for the goodness of your heart , your keen friendship; for all these I wish to thank you and bless you that God will grant you health and success . From the bottom of my heart , your loving friend and the whole Vizman family" . This gift was in recognition for the devoted help and encouragement Nir gave Yuval during recovery from a serious accident.
Nir studied in “Arlosorov” elementary school where his father Pniel and grandfather Yacov had studied before him . After he graduated, he attended the “Hadera High School”, where he majored in physics and mathematics for four years. His four years in high school were intensive , full of social activities and studies . Nir took part in a course for “Young Shelach” leaders.(shelach: pre-army leadership training). He received an outstanding award for his participation. Nir devoted much time and energy to sports. He workied out regulary in a fitness club and won a medal for his efforts. Like his brother Ran he devoted a long period of time preparing for the army . He participated and trained in a special army fitness course organized by the “Gadha”( pre-induction youth training) and was amoung those who suceeded . When he was In eleventh grade, during his passover vacation, Nir took part in a preparatory course for the Naval Commando unit. After finishing the course successfully, he completed it with a diving course . His certificate of completion is signed by commander Yossi Korkin who was later killed in naval commando action in Antaria, Lebanon. Nir’s family took every chance to tour the country and Nir grew up with deep knowledge of Israel and love for the State. It was only natural that he was drafted he would join the elite navy commandos.
A friend from the course writes: "It always amazed me, enchanted me – the contrast between your husky appearance and you delicate and so sensitive soul. It always seemed to me that you were proud of your strong physical appearance, but somewhere inside of you, you did not feel comfortable with it and so you would do everything to make people realize what a warm, delicate and sensitive person you really were. You didn’t have to try hard,… it came so naturally… friendship begins in moments of crisis and since those moments you are with me all the time… We always had such fun together. We would laugh and talk about everything: girls, people, myself, yourself, cars, carpentry, family, joint business, windsurfing, army, everything… Krichy, you gave me so many moments of happiness… I can tell you with a full heart : “You are a genious”!
Naama, Nir’s girlfriend from high school and army writes: "It seems very odd to me to ask you to be strong, because it seems impossible to be strong without Nir who was always the one who gave everybody strength but we have no choice but to be strong so we can countinue to keep Nir’s memory alive. We have an angel quarding us, and I know he is quarding me and it is this thought that sustains me time and time again. Whenever there were security problems, I would call Nir, and he always knew how to tell me the truth in the most relaxing way and make me feel secure as he was there fighting for all of us. This feeling of security will always stay with me. This war did not frighten Nir. On the contrary, it prompted him to do what he knew best".
Nir served in the army four years and three months. He was killed three month before he was to be released. In the course of the continuing struggle against terrorism for the last two years, Nir was amoung those who constantly took part in the military action together with many other units.
Nir took part in the capture of the “Karin A “ ship, which to him was the highlight of his military activity. He participated in the fighting in Jenin and after it in the persuit of many wanted terrorists. On the 22nd of April 2002, Nir was shot at close range by terrorists who were wanted for many years. Seconds later they were killed by Nir’s commrades. Nir was rushed to “Tell Hashomer” haspitol but died of the fatal wound.
Nir’s Comander,Dror, writes: "When we are at sea the strongest memories of you arise. When the sea was rough you would find me and with that special smile of yours you would ask:”Is there any chance of taking the kayak down into the bay?” I could never say no to you; and after a while I would go down to the docks to make sure everything was alright. I would see you from a distance , a strong figure in a surfing suit navigating the yellow kayak up and down in the waves… and with a peaceful heart I would go on my way knowing there was someone to depend on… Together we took part in many actions on ground, air and sea… Any place you came to, you would wash your face, set your hair, as if we were going to a party or something of the sort. Then you would get interested-what can be done, who and what is involved. Always active, always curious and always with that special sense of humor which was not always understood.
In the last year you were in the most veteran and leading team of the unit, always ahead giving a personal example. In the most complex difficalt assignments you stood out with that special and strange walk of yours that could not be mistaken even in the dark. You were always outstanding, sure of yourself, calm, never bowing to outside pressures. Everytime I joined you and the team in action, I would be filled with inner pride in the privilege I had to command fighters like you. With you in the team, I knew everything was possible, that there was someone to depend on, and if we would get into trouble we would know how to get out of it. I still remember during the last battle, seeing you from the corner of my eye getting hit and your friends fighting like lions instantly killing those who killed you. We are left with an empty place in our team … a huge vacancy in our heart… We will never be able to fill Nir’s place but I promise to try with all my heart and strenghth".
Ram, chief commander adds: A fearless warrior from the best the commandos ever had … Nir combined power and values with amazing professional ability. Along with these he had a special character that we all knew and loved so much…We will remember his rolling laugh, his sharp sense of humor, his endless energy. We will remember Nir the good friend who did everything for his friends. We will remember Nir the fighter, always first leading his comrades into battle.
Like a bird of remarkable beauty and glory hovered Nir in our world.
His hovering was short
Too short
But he touched all of us with his wide wings and left his impression forever.
(Family Viman)
I saw a bird of remarkable beauty.
The bird saw me.
Such a bird of remarkable beauty I shall not see
To the day of my death.(Nathan Zach)