Nearly all Israelis serve in some capacity in the Israel Defense Forces.

Yehuda chose to join Magav (Mishmar Hagvul - the Border Police). He often came home late, and sometimes he was required to stay on base all night.

One night he came home after midnight. Dovid had already gone to sleep since he had to teach early the next day, and Miriam waited up for Yehuda.

He walked in the door, took a glance at his mother, and then put down at his short M16. "It's still warm," he said with a grin.

He had been involved in a shootout.

Dovid heard the story many years later when Chaim, Ernie's grandson, came for a visit.