In a heartwarming display of Zionism and love for Israel, a surprise family reunion unfolded last week at a military ceremony marking the completion of the Israeli Paratroopers Brigade's arduous training. The event, held at the historic Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem, took an unexpected turn for one soldier when his family traveled halfway across the world to celebrate his achievement.
Jonathan (JJ) James, a lone soldier serving in the Paratroopers Brigade, made Aliyah from the US without his family through the "Tzofim Garin Tzabar" program. To mark this important milestone, Jonathan's parents, Sharon and Daniel, along with his siblings, made the journey from Colorado to Israel– keeping their visit a secret from him after a year apart.
The excitement reached its peak as the family, armed with a large congratulatory sign featuring the Colorado state flag, warmly embraced a stunned Jonathan.
Born in Israel, Jonathan moved to the US with his family when he was just a year old. His decision to return and enlist in the Paratroopers Brigade was a dream come true. Throughout the ceremony, Jonathan's supportive family – parents and siblings Amit, Ben, Roni, and Lia – watched him with pride. As the event concluded, young Lia approached her big brother, looking up at him adoringly, and said "I love you."
After receiving his red beret, symbolizing his acceptance into the elite Paratroopers Brigade, Jonathan's mother Sharon embraced him wholeheartedly. "It's emotional to see him with a paratrooper's beret," she said. "We just want him to come home safely. That's the most important thing. We've waited for this moment for a long time. We hadn't seen him for a year. Today was a big surprise. The NCO of service conditions helped us arrange this, and we're deeply grateful. As a mother, I can't help but worry. It's not an easy time to have a son enlist. Jonathan's older sister enlisted during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this is different."
"I'm satisfied with my decision"
"I knew my father was in the country, but then my whole family surprised me. It was very moving," Jonathan told Israel Hayom.
Jonathan explained that his dream was to join the IDF and wear the red beret of the Paratroopers. "This is what I wanted to do from a very young age. I was born here in Israel, and we moved when I was a year old. I'm satisfied with my decision. Being a lone soldier is hard, but in the end, it's worth it – protecting my country, knowing I'm doing something important and not just sitting in some class."
The highly motivated Jonathan plans to soon undergo sniper training before joining combat operations. "I'm very excited. I received my red beret. It will take some time before I fight, but I will as soon as possible," he explained.
