Giving Back the Keys: A Legacy on Wheels

If you've traveled the roads of Israel, you might have come across cars adorned with the logo "Restored in Memory of an IDF Fallen Soldier." Some appear like any other vehicle on the road; others are vintage cars that belonged to soldiers who died decades ago, adorned with Israeli flags, the soldier's photos, and their stories. Each vehicle is unique but shares a common bond: they've been lovingly restored by Yossi Aharon and the 'Israeli Collector Car Rescuers' Association, dedicated to giving new life to the vehicles of Israel's fallen heroes.

Memorials on Wheels

Yossi Aharon, a retiree, previously worked in signage. At 19, he was a soldier in the Yom Kippur War with a special parachuting role in the Suez Canal. "At a point during the war, I found myself wounded and alone," he recounts, "but by Hashem's grace, I survived and fully recovered, so I'm not recognized as a disabled veteran or part of a bereaved family. I act as a civilian with a moral duty to IDF fallen soldiers and our security forces."

His "activity" involves restoring the vehicles of fallen soldiers, a mission he's pursued for the past seven years. "It may sound technical and simple because a vehicle is tangible," he explains, "but it's much more than that. From the families, I see how significant these cars are in remembrance, as they were solely owned by their child. The car was often his constant companion, sometimes even on his last journey, and he used it up to his final moments."

"When I started restoring these cars about seven years ago, my aim was to fully refurbish them so they could hit the road again, serving as mobile memorials with the fallen soldier's picture and customized graphics per the family's request. This rolling tribute allows the Israeli public to learn about and remember him as it travels across the country."

Initially, requests came mainly from families of older fallen soldiers. "Families whose sons died in the Yom Kippur War reached out. They had preserved the car for over 50 years without touching it, and it arrived in catastrophic condition, requiring extensive care and refurbishment. Some even brought us very old motorcycles. We considered it a great privilege to propose, 'Why let them remain untouched? Give us the chance to restore them.' We've never had a vehicle we couldn't refurbish and return to the road, thanks to hundreds of thousands of volunteers from around the world, including from hostile countries, eager to help IDF soldiers. We gather all the necessary parts and complete the work, restoring the vehicle to like-new condition inside and out. Everything is funded by generous company donations, and no one in our association, myself included, takes a salary. It's all done in full volunteer spirit.

Family members of a fallen soldier at the vehicle handover ceremony

The technical work on these vehicles is supported by at-risk youth, an opportunity for them to learn and gain expertise, alongside lectures on the soldiers' legacies, inspiring them to rebuild their lives and make positive, creative life choices. Some lectures are given by the Israeli Police, where officers sit and engage with the youth.

"We didn't anticipate how successful this project would become," Aharon reflects. "We've managed to help save teenagers who seemed far from reintegrating into normalized society and, subsequently, helped them find employment. They now support themselves, having completely exited the street life."

Memorial room established in memory of the fallen

Teenagers participating in a workshop at the garage

"A Warm Embrace"

How do the families feel when receiving the cars?

"They're always deeply moved, as the car is restored according to their wishes. We give every family full freedom in deciding how to memorialize their son. Some want a large photo on the hood, others a car filled with images, and some prefer symbolic graphics and text. Each family, their choice. Once the car is ready, we hold a large and emotional ceremony, handing over the car to the family, marking the completion of our task. We consistently hear from many families about their travels around Israel and the warm embraces they receive from the public. For seven years of activity, no family has sold a car we've restored; they all keep them as memorials."

Even Aharon admits that when he began this unique endeavor, he couldn't have envisioned that within two years, about 900 more soldiers would be added to the list, with over 150 families approaching him for car restoration.

"Currently, we're working on restoring vehicles for several fallen soldiers from the recent war, including Nick Beizer, a soldier kidnapped on Simchat Torah, tortured to death in Gaza, then posthumously rescued by IDF forces for burial in Israel. Nick's car was relatively new, a model from 2000, but as a young soldier without the means, it had many issues, needing extensive part replacements, hence the delay. It's now showcased, and I hope in about a month we can hold the handover ceremony for his family."

"Another vehicle in display is a motorcycle awaiting its eager family for a handover ceremony. It'll be ready soon, clearing space for two more vehicles. Many families are on the waiting list, and while we have no choice but to wait, we continually hear their stories of loss and resilience, learning about the bravery of their sons, striving not to disappoint anyone."

"Once a restoration begins, we ensure every family feels like a full partner. With each progress step, families receive photos, but nearing completion, we stop sending updates to maintain anticipation for the final, perfect result. This suspense makes families anxious. Recently, one family's excitement was shown with hundreds of messages in the last workweek alone, and I'm not exaggerating. These were messages of expectation and excitement because families feel we're full partners in honoring their son, and these feelings deeply resonate with us."

"But the most significant moment for me is handing the vehicle keys back to a bereaved father, watching him enter the car his son last drove, possibly decades ago, as he starts it, touches the buttons, gear shift, and everything his son last touched. It's incredibly meaningful for them, and every time, it profoundly moves me."