General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI heard from one of my UKR paratrooper buddies Tuesday.
We were deployed to the same base overseas in '09 - '10, I with a Battalion from the U.S., they were a Company of Airborne Soldiers from Ukraine. I wound up teaching English to many of them (as well as to some Polish, Slovenian, Armenian, and Turkish personnel). As I was in my 50s I felt pretty avuncular toward them; yet since I'd just joined the military ~2.5 years earlier (no prior service), many of them had many more years of military service under their belts, so I felt they were mentoring me. I've stayed in touch with a number of those guys, and with one in particular, a senior NCO. Out of an overabundance of caution, I'll not name him here.
Anyway, for most of the rest of my times being deployed I sent him money every month to help him and his growing family so they could buy an apartment. Just after the invasion two weeks ago he sent me a photo of his military kit (rucksack, sleeping bag, bedroll, etc.) with the caption, "All your presents are at work again." That took my breath away. Since then, I've been checking that platform several times daily looking for word from him, his wife, or any of the other guys I know. As the situation over there has worsened, I have engaged every resilience option at my disposal to just get through each day.
Yesterday, I received another message: "Hand granade rolled down to the foxhole, I thew the dude out and covered by myself. Dude alive with no scratches. I've got only small one in left hand (does not affect shooting in any way, so good). And, I instantly got battlefield promotion from 1LT to CPT" (His English is so much better than my Ukrainian!)
He's a fucking HERO. I've known for years that he's an awesome Soldier and a stellar human being, so I'm not surprised that he went head-to-head with a live grenade, and won! I suspect that he's grossly downplaying the injuries to his left hand; that would just be his style. I just now remembered that about seven years ago when he won some military competition in Ukraine which allowed him to come to the States for five months of language training in San Antonio followed by five months of training with the USMC at Camp Lejeune, he called me one day and said that the Marines had started calling him "Beast!" and he wasn't sure how to take that. He is, certainly, one of the strongest men I've ever met.
That said, the dread that's been shadowing me seems even greater now than before. Oh how I wish, were I not now closer to 70 than to 60, that I could be over there to support him and his buddies. If you've made it this far in reading this, I humbly ask that you send good thoughts or prayers to him, his lovely family, his buddies, and Ukraine, if you'd be so inclined.
Thanks for letting me share this.
Слава Україні!
denbot
(9,894 posts)orwell
(7,754 posts)...every moment of every day.
It really is inspiring as was your story.
Thank you for sharing it.
Godspeed to you friend and all those that are fighting for our future.
Otto_Harper
(499 posts)but I also think of them as "my boys", in a patriotic sense, even though our country is not (yet) involved in direct combat.
niyad
(112,434 posts)wth Ukraine and her people and supporters since this most recent insanity hit the news.
SharonClark
(10,005 posts)canetoad
(17,088 posts)About Captain Beast.
Baitball Blogger
(46,575 posts)Duppers
(28,094 posts)We thank YOU for sharing here.
Yes, Slava Ukrain! May her flag fly forever! And may your friend stay safe.
cate94
(2,797 posts)Sending good thoughts and prayers to him, his family and the people of Ukraine.
gademocrat7
(10,623 posts)Sending prayers for him, his family and all Ukrainians. May they prevail.
DarthDem
(5,253 posts)You write wonderfully. Your friend sounds like an amazing person and is a hero without doubt. I'll keep him in my thoughts for certain. My best to him and his compatriots.
Karadeniz
(22,276 posts)AllaN01Bear
(17,382 posts)he has more balls than our socalled hem malitia fools or the idiots who tried to overun the capital. theyd shrink at this , so would i.
roamer65
(36,739 posts)Ukrainians and Sikhs.
Theyll give us the shirt off their backs, but dont pick a fight with them.
Slava Ukraini!
MLAA
(17,165 posts)I will add good thoughts for your buddies and the brave Beast
And hugs for you,
Lonestarblue
(9,880 posts)I have kept the Ukrainians in my prayers ever since Putin attacked. I have such admiration for their bravery their spirit, and their ingenuity in fighting an army that is depriving them of life and their way of life. May Putin and his generals rot in helland may their descent to that netherworld be very soon.
Boomerproud
(7,889 posts)You and your friend.
AmBlue
(3,079 posts)...and prayers, along with all the courageous souls fighting in Ukraine. May they emerge victorious!!
SLAVA UKRAINI!! 🇺🇦 🌻 🇺🇦
electric_blue68
(14,609 posts)As a 2nd Gen half Ukrainian-American (who may have unknown cousins over there near Kyiv) I've certainly been praying in general, for Pres Zelenskyy, his family, and his top people in particular.
Now I'll add your friend, his family, and his buddies in particular.
Slava Unkraini! 🌻🇺🇦🌻
Poiuyt
(18,087 posts)I can't imagine what it would be like to know someone over there.
TygrBright
(20,733 posts)Jarqui
(10,110 posts)I'm sick with worry for these Ukrainians.
I am so impressed with their resolve, ideals, courage, etc.
The attacks on their civilians are so distressing.
I would very much like to see them get a lot more help.
Like you, I'm a lot closer to 70. Not good enough physically to be of much use.
I'm pulling for them every day.