Lights. Sounds. Smiling family members and 30 pilots. Those are the sights that our group experienced during the Israeli Air Force graduation ceremony on the base of Hatzerim near Kibbutz Hatzerim. What was very special about this particular graduation was the added celebration of the 40th anniversary of Entebbe Rescue Operation honoring the heroic Air Force pilots. Out of the 30 pilots graduating from their training at this ceremony, 36% had been shin shinim and 4 of them were women. This Air Force ceremony honored both the hard working pilots graduating from grueling training, as well as past pilots, and included an impressive air show. As Americans we have frequently seen air shows on Memorial Day and other holidays, but for me personally, this air show felt uniquely different. This air show was a display of Israeli perseverance and pride in their country, the promised land of the Jewish people. excitement and resilience in evident on the faces of pilots and family members in the audience. What struck me the most, was the community feeling and zionistic pride you could tell every person in the amphitheater felt. As we walked into the amphitheater, on the field we saw pilots marching in unison and a band played Israeli music. The graduates were introduced and applauded, and the Commander of the Israeli Air Force gave a speech. Lastly, and probably the most exciting part of the graduation was the presentation of high powered modern aircraft, doing exercises with perfect precision. The presentation of the planes showed Israeli strength and power, with resolve for the future. Overall, the Air Force graduation left me with a feeling of pride in being Jewish and pride in the accomplishments of Israel.