They came from the hills. They came from the highrises, the farms and the settlements. They came out of the pages of history. Thousands of paratrooper veterans, many decorated, not a few glad to be alive, and all proud of their unique place in this young country's history, celebrated the 50th anniversary of the IDF's Paratrooper brigade Thursday. The reunion epitomized so much the Israeli melting pot, with a spicy mix of nostalgia and adventure. Gathering at Ramat Gan Stadium, old friends slapped backs and showed off scars. Some wore wings and other paratrooper insignia and smacked shaking bellies in...