Ben is now on crutches with a cast from his foot to middle leg. He will have the cast for a month and a half. Throughout the march Ben was carrying more than 100 pounds on his back which included the round tube with the TOW missle inside. The march was grulling and painful (which is shown on Ben's face) and took 8 hours to complete. They marched at night stopping every 5 kilometers. At the end they had to climb one of the highest mountains in the Gallilee.

Three kilometers from the top the unit consisting of 18 soldiers met up with their families. To see the parents helping their sons make it through to the top was simply beautiful COMRADERY. It was hard for Arnold and Joyce to see Ben in such pain (little did they know he was marching up hill with a broken foot!!!!!).

Below are sevral photos taken at this major milestone for Ben. In one picture you see Arnold in the background showing a lot of pain - as Pearl Sasportas(mom)would say "it hurts me more than it hurts you". The march ended the one year eight months of hard work of this part of their military duty. Ben recieved a small pin and watch which symbolizes the end of his course. A real Sasportas hero. We are proud of his achievement. Ben has one year and a half left of his military service.