On Thursday, Assaf Ramon will officially be carrying on his late father’s tradition, becoming an IAF fighter pilot. According to his instructors and classmates, he is being cited for excellence because he truly deserves it, not because he is the son of Israel’s first astronaut, the late Colonel Ilan Ramon z”l, who was on board the ill-fated NASA STS-107 Columbia mission in 2003.

Assaf explains that yes indeed, he is carrying on in his father’s footsteps, but quickly adds, “I am here for myself, no one else”. The 21-year-old pilot explained that he knows this is his place, where he truly feels comfortable and at home.

In the interview with Ramon in the IDF’s weekly Bamachane Magazine, Assaf explains that when he arrived, he was uncertain if the course would be for him, if he would adopt to the demands, if flying was his destiny but now, the doubts are behind him and he is certain he has made the correct choice.

Assaf also explains that his mom, Rona, will be attending graduation and he is certain it will not be an easy moment, singing praise for her, supporting him throughout the course despite the emotional difficulties associated with it for her.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)