Before October 7, 2023
I was an ordinary Chevy pickup truck,
But after that day everything changed.
No one or thing will ever be the same.
This is my story: My owner is Moshe Sati.
He’s a devoted husband and father.
Treats me well too. Moshe built me a carport
So in the blistering heat I wouldn’t be too hot,
And he washes me often so my metal won’t rot.
For 8 years I’ve had a happy life in the Negev near Re’im
Moshe is a handyman; every morning we’re up at 6 am
Heading to work in towns surrounding Re’im.
On October 7th we were on our way to get supplies
When suddenly bullets started flying from the sky.
It felt like heavy rain or hail was pelting my body.
I heard the deafening explosions and screamed NO!
Moshe turn, you’re heading into a war zone.
I kept stalling but Moshe wasn’t listening at all.
He kept going and then stopped
And packed fleeing people on my back.
What a heavy load I thought my tires would blow.
Finally we returned home; the people went out into the house.
I thought the ordeal had come to an end.
But I was wrong. Moshe made the same trip again and again;
Ten times to be exact, and on the last round
Moshe got out of the truck and picked a woman up off the ground.
Some of the fleeing people were bleeding; I saw a lot of red stains;
I was afraid many were already dead.
When we were done Moshe looked at me affectionately
And said, “My old Chevy truck, my silver star.
Your body’s getting all fixed up, couldn’t done it without you.
Gonna throw in a set of new tires too.”
A few weeks later a young woman came to visit.
I was sure I recognized her. She gave Moshe a big hug.
Then she came over to me and said, “I’m Natalie.
You’re the silver star. I came to thank you for the ride
That kept me and a thousand others alive.”
