The children of the demolition battalion, those who survived the war, gather from time to time on various occasions.
About three years ago, when one of the paralyzed veterans of the demolition battalion returned from the pilgrimage, a relatively large number of the battalion’s children were gathered there. Among them, I noticed a slender cleric with a beard that was nearly white. Upon closer inspection, I recognized him. His name was Alireza. Since the war, I hadn’t seen him and didn’t know he had become a cleric and moved to the city of Qom to reside.
He was also one of the dedicated and sincere members of the battalion and had been injured in one of the operations from the leg. He always wore a special shoe on one of his feet and, with the help of this shoe or a cane in hand, was able to walk.
While in the battalion, the opportunity never arose for us to have a joint mission. We only shared time in the demolition instructor classes held by the headquarters.
These days, thanks to the memoirs written by a mutual friend who has documented all his front-line memories and published them in the “Demolition Children Group on WhatsApp,” I am reminded of more memories from that time.
Our Alireza these days is genuinely devoted to the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist.
When I write a new letter or article and simultaneously share it in the demolition children’s group, I wait for Alireza to start his criticism.
Today, when I wrote a piece in mourning for the mother of Shahram Farajzadeh, the martyr of Ashura 88 [December 27, 2009], and shared it in the group, Mr. Alireza joined and, as usual, began his attacks, saying, “Oh man! Leave Shahram and Bahram and protect the tree of Guardianship,” continuing that these Shahrams were misled, tearing the portraits of Imam and attacking Imam Hussein’s flags, and so on.
For a while now, I haven’t engaged Alireza in discussion within the group, but today I saw that Masoud, another of the demolition experts, who incidentally is the brother of three martyrs, as usual, responded to him with poise and elegance, inviting everyone to affection and unity. Addressing Alireza and all the group members, he stated that we should not be afraid of clashing views and should allow space in society for all opinions.
Everything I have relayed so far and which you have patiently read was for the purpose of sharing with you, without any alterations, the last post of our dear Alireza (devoted to the Guardianship) in the demolition children’s group, as a conclusion to this writing. Alireza wrote: ⬇️
“On Friday, I dreamt of a martyr brother
He had come to Qom on a bicycle with a shaved head and face!
He said, Alireza, what is this you’re writing!
And he was reluctant to kiss me!!!
I think someone who hasn’t died humbly thinks differently than me 😂“
[January 24, 2016]