Sgt. 1st Class Naor Kalo, z”l

Sergeant First Class Naor Kalo, the eldest son of Barbara, who immigrated from South Africa, and Avner, who immigrated from Italy, brother to Liran, Eilon, Yanir, Doron, and Dikla, was born on Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael.

Naor was educated first in his kibbutz. He studied at the local elementary school and continued his education at Hof HaCarmel regional school in middle and high school. Charismatic and creative, with an everlasting smile. His teacher used to call him “Kal–lo” (a wordplay on “easy”) thanks to his cheerful spirit and constant smile.

Naor was an “encyclopedia” on nature. He also loved animals. He was a curious and opinionated young man, a lover of people and the land, who drank in life with passion. Naor was determined and strong-willed, yet also modest and shy. He was loving and beloved. He never let himself off easy and never complained. He was creative and was always able to find a solution to any problem.

His greatest love was the sea. For his fourth birthday, he asked for a surfboard and insisted on teaching himself how to “catch a wave.” He had a special surfing style that people said was “Naor’s style.” Naor swam, sailed, dived, and surfed, and also led youth sailing groups. His friends said he was “born of the sea.” He also loved snowboarding. On the kibbutz, he worked in the fishery, combining his love for the sea with his love for animals.

Naor was an athlete. He played soccer, basketball and tennis, rollerbladed, and was part of Ma’agan Michael’s representative futsal team. He loved traveling all over Israel. A charming young man, blessed with many talents, he was also an amateur photographer who loved capturing his experiences in pictures.

Naor had a close and warm bond with his family. He loved family trips in Israel and abroad. He was deeply connected to his parents. He gave special attention to his siblings, toward whom he felt a strong sense of responsibility as the eldest brother.

In March 2000, Naor enlisted in the IDF. He was accepted into the elite Sayeret Yael (Yael Reconnaissance Unit). Naor served as a fighter, medic, and sniper in the unit, and also completed a lifeguard course. He completed his regular service, followed by an additional four months in career service. After a year of work on the kibbutz, he set off on a long trip with his girlfriend and beloved, Natali. He debated whether to study biology or art. In the meantime, he studied at the Open University.

In July 2006, the Second Lebanon War broke out, and Naor was called up on emergency orders. He joined the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Company in a reserve battalion. During those days, Naor was troubled by the army’s lack of readiness for war.

On August 9, 2006, a missile hit the building where Naor was staying in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon. Naor ran to treat the wounded, but then a second missile was fired, and he was struck and killed. Alongside him, eight other reserve soldiers were killed. He was 25 years old. Naor was laid to rest in the cemetery of Kibbutz Ma’agan Michael. His friends wrote: “We want to hug you tight, one last time, and cry out that you must not go, please.”

May his memory be blessed.