So in honor of my Jewish American Soldier, I thought I would write another blog post on the IDF. It is said that the IDF Armored Corps Museum has one of the best collections of armored vehicles in the world. Located in Latrun, Israel, the museum has over 200 tanks and many of them are not Israeli. Instead, much of the collection has been acquired through international trade or the "spoils of war".
An exhibit of special note is the "Allied Forces Monument" which is Israel's salute to all the military forces that joined together to fight the Nazis during WWII. The monument contains flags from 19 different countries that constituted the allies. In addition, there's also a flag for the Jewish Brigade, which was part of the British army.
No war museum is complete without a memorial dedicated to fallen soldiers. The Armored Corps Museum has a wall honoring 4,873 Israeli soldiers. Such monuments always bring home the point that the ultimate sacrifice of war is the loss of life.
On the grounds of the museum houses is a Trappist Monastery. Apparently, back in 1890, French Trappist monks built a monastery and vineyard. The monks that live there, have taken a vow of silence, and support themselves by growing grapes for wine and olives for oil.
When you add it all together - it's a nice balance of war and peace.
