Please don't forget Ukraine...
As I watch the bombing of the magnificent city of Kyiv, and other places across Ukraine, I can’t help but grieve for her citizens and for the innocent injured and dead. I can’t help but cry for the needless destruction of beautiful cities and a stunning country full of bright, strong, compassionate people. Once you visit Ukraine, she never leaves you. I regularly still have dreams of walking in Kyiv’s Maidan and down Khreshchatyk Street. Ukraine has my heart.
Here are some things to know:
-We will #standwithukraine again on Saturday, March 5, in front of the Benton County Courthouse from noon to 2:00 pm. Feel free to join and bring your own respectful signs and Ukrainian flags. This is rally in support of Ukraine, rather than a protest of the war. It is clear that thinking people are against these atrocities.
-Here is the text of the speech made by my daughter's husband, my son, Misha, at Saturday's rally: “Hello, everyone. My name is Misha. I was born and lived all my life in Uzhhorod. I went to public school #1. I knew the word “Corvallis” among my first English words. Somehow, thirty years later, I am married to the best American girl, I am an American citizen, and I live in Corvallis. I want to say thank you to everyone who came and supports Ukraine all over the world. What is happening in Ukraine is a big tragedy. Nobody ever thought that the war with thousands of deaths can happen in the middle of Europe. My deceased grandma never drank alcohol. The only one thing that made her raise her shot glass was a toast: no more war. I always thought that sounded so outdated and barbaric. Right now our cities are being bombed. People are moving west to Transcarpathia and further. Uzhhorod becomes a hub of humanitarian aid in Ukraine. Right now, restaurants are feeding people who came with nothing but children and passports. Hotels that some of you have stayed in now have mattresses in the corridors. Ukraine has never been more united. But this is nothing compared to the job that our best men are doing on the front. They are fighting tremendously against a massive army that is attacking. Troop 128 are our Transcarpathian soldiers. Among them are people I know personally, including my brother in law. They need diesel generators, vests, tourniquets, and so much more. Thank you for your prayers but also thank you for your actions.”
-And this is from Misha, regarding last Saturday's rally: "Thank you, everyone, for helping Ukraine right now. I never realized how many people I actually got to know in PNW. A lot of people showed up to the meeting despite the rain. I appreciate every one of you as well as everyone who reached out with support. My highlights of the meeting were seeing my brother Scotty, former military, who right away said that he is looking for a companion to go to Ukraine. As well we met Taya, a Ukrainian student of OSU. She cried her eyes off and was completely discouraged by watching frightening news. That is not how you win fights. We are winning with unity all over the world. Ukraine never was so united before. Soldiers are fighting like lions, women are making molotovs, retirees are driving supplies. Our job here is to raise awareness in the world. Everyone is in danger, let’s destroy it while it is small. Thanks to you we will be able to offer significant help to troop 128. We already sent 60 hydration systems, 60 blood-stopping tourniquets, 120 packages of gauze, 90 water filters. And we are not stopping. Right now we are working on buying bulletproof vests for soldiers. Please help.”
-From Hannah, "As of this morning, with your donations, we have been able to provide $6500.00 worth of helmets, knee pads, water filters, gloves, tourniquets, first aid kits, and hydration packs for Battalion 128 (from Uzhhorod, Corvallis's sister-city). This morning, we were also able to wire $10,000.00 that will go directly to support the soldiers and the Ukrainian people. The Ukrainian people are hard at work, so let's not stop. either. Let's keep giving, keep gathering, keep calling our representatives..." Funds continue to come in so we will be able to send even more help.
- From Corvallis native and Santiam Christian alumni, Kim Johnson, who is in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, with her family and team serving disabled Ukrainian young men:
Old guy lesson: We must think of others. We must not sit by and watch injustice take place without doing something! Come and stand with Ukraine. Teach your children to stand up for what is right, and take some kind of action, even if they can’t change a war across the ocean. They can make cookies to share with someone. Whatever is age-appropriate, teach them to care for others. Please.
-One more thing…just a minute ago, we just got word that Misha’s brother who is with Battalion 128 on the front lines in Kyiv is alive and well.
-Please don't forget Ukraine.