Dr. Yechiel Leiter, the incoming Israeli ambassador to the United States, and his wife, Chani, dedicated a newly donated emergency response vehicle in memory of their son, Maj. (res.) Dr. Moshe Yedidya Leiter, who was killed in action.
Moshe Leiter, a 39-year-old father of six and commander in the Israeli Air Forces’ Shaldag commando unit, was killed while inspecting a booby-trapped tunnel in Beit Hanoun in northeastern Gaza on Nov. 8.
The vehicle, a medical ambucycle, was donated by the Falic family, owners of Duty Free Americas shops and prominent philanthropists. A dedication ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Jerusalem-based United Hatzalah volunteer emergency response organization. The event was attended by the Leiter couple, United Hatzalah president Ehud Davidson and the paramedic who treated their son.
“We know that even though he’s no longer with us, he’s continuing to act,” the Leiters said at the ceremony. “This ambucycle is such a glaring example of how his spirit is continuing to save more lives and do good, making the world a better place in his memory.”
The 8,000 trained volunteers at United Hatzalah, which was established nearly two decades ago, are known for arriving on the scene of emergencies by motorcycle within three minutes, typically faster than ambulances.