Yom Hazikaron, the Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers, is marked on the fourth of Iyar, the day before Yom Ha'atzma'ut, Israel's Independence Day. As almost everyone in Israel has a family member, or knows someone, who has been killed defending our country, the day is extremely emotional, and is marked by mass visits to the graves of the fallen in military and civillian cemeteries all across the country. On the eve of Yom Hazikaron, at the start of the day, a siren is sounded, calling for a moment of silence to remember and honor the dead. As the day draws to a close, and Yom Ha'atzma'ut begins, there is a strange and wonderful transition from profound grief and sadness to joyous celebration and thanksgiving, marking the independence of the Jewish State, made possible by those who gave their lives to defend it.