I remember David Berger very well. I had a few training sessions with him back when he was attending Tulane University. He was a very
  delightful person to talk to and had a great personality. I was totally shocked to hear the dreadful news in those '72 Munich Olympics that
  David was one of the athletics that was being held hostage by the terrorists. Then to hear the sad news that they were all killed at the
  Airport made me shed many tears and hoping that justice will prevail to those responsible for this cowardly action against these fine
  athletes that did not deserve this.

  I first heard of David Berger in the mid-eighties. I was 12 during the 72' Olympics and it left a very, very, strong impression on
  me. I started lifting when I was 13 and went to a number of competitions at Lost Battalion Hall. David had lifted there a number
  of times and they held a Memorial Meet there for him every year afterwards.

  I always wanted to go to Israel and compete at the Maccabi Games. I wasn't strong enough in 77', broke my leg in 81', and 
  was in a cave-in 85'. 1989 was my year. It wasn't my best meet, but it was my greatest trip anywhere! I've never felt the bond
  that I felt there. I was able to train in a gym named for David Berger, and met Mr. Teddy Kaplan who knew and trained with him.

  The David Berger Memorial Meet became the most important meet on the calendar for me. I was never a great lifter, just a fair
  club lifter.

  In January 1990, I was beaten by Nick Curry at a meet in Atlantic City. The David Berger Memorial Meet was three weeks later. 
  I trained as hard as I could during those three weeks and was really nervous. It was just Nick and me. I won on my last Clean
  and Jerk: 150 kg. more weight than I had tried in over ten years. I remember thinking to myself, this is the pressure that you 
  want, this is what competition is all about. You're a Jew and this is your meet! This is the white light moment and all you have
  to do is take it! I've relived that moment in my mind a thousand times and have told the story to motivate kids a hundred times.
  Thinking about training in the David Berger gym in Israel. The commitment he made to Israel with his life.

  Winning the David Berger memorial! Setting all PR's!  Defeating a rival (even though he beat numerous times after that)! This 
  was my day. And it was the greatest day in my lifting career. That's my story and connection to David Berger. I still wear the

  competition T-shirt once in a while.

  Please tell his family that even though I never met him, his spirit lives in me and the kids I coach.

  MARK COHEN