February 24, 2022, is a day that will live in infamy. It is a day, when the bloody cutthroats from the land known as russia yet again invaded Ukraine, extending the war that began in 2014 with russia’s illegal, armed seizure of Crimea and eastern Ukrainian oblasts, and prolonging moscow’s odious imperial mission to invade, defeat, occupy and destroy Ukrainians and their Ukrainian lands that commenced in 1069. A thousand-year war – a thousand-year anything – is a difficult concept for society to wrap its arms around, but that has been Ukrainians’ reality. As President Biden declared the other day, russia’s goal is to wipe Ukraine off the map – a most monstrous objective of the most vile, demented dictators.
Peace, serenity and security – natural expectations of people anywhere – for Ukrainians were shattered in the early morning hours of that day, when russian missiles hit civilian targets, shedding innocent blood, followed by an invasion of tanks, armor and uniformed criminals and cutthroats.
February 24, 2022, is also a day that will live in glory as a testament to the Ukrainian nation’s bravery, love of homeland, patriotism and commitment in defending and preserving their country’s freedom, independence and sovereignty. Time and again Ukrainians have been called upon to heroically defend their people, culture and country, and time and again they have done so valiantly.
Despite prevailing beliefs about the might of the so-called second strongest army in the world, the Armed Forces of Ukraine, by the grace of God and their nationalistic passion, proved the foolhardy analysts wrong. Ukrainian soldiers, marines, airmen and sailors have stopped russia’s advances and even turned them back. The Armed Forces of Ukraine have become feared by russian cutthroats, inflicting more than 140,000 deaths in battle among russians. But unfortunately, to show their fearlessness, russian killers turned their attention to killing innocent, unarmed men, women and children, raping girls and women, and destroying homes, infrastructure and cultural icons. Its failed mission has been to kill every Ukrainian and all vestiges of Ukrainian culture, to erase all evidence of Ukrainians. But despite his obvious losses and failures, putin is coldheartedly sending more and more russians to Ukraine only to have the fortunate ones return to russia in body bags as many others remain in Ukraine as manure for the vast sunflower fields.
Russia’s inhuman viciousness has not gone unnoticed. The international community, in addition to providing Ukrainians with substantial amounts of needed modern weapons and other technology, has recognized russia’s brutality and labeled it a war criminal and perpetrator of crimes against humanity. In the words of many, Ukraine is not only showing its triumphant battlefield prowess but it is also defeating moscow in the court of public opinion. Every Ukrainian blue and yellow flag in the windows of homes in New York City, Toronto, London, Paris and other towns is proof of that.
The United States of America and other free world countries are committed to supporting Ukraine in its historic existential war for freedom and independence until the victorious end. President Biden said in Kyiv and Warsaw that the United States will never abandon Ukraine and it will never be a victory for russia.
And victory is within grasp of the Ukrainian nation. Led by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainians captured the imagination and support of peoples and leaders around the world for the sanctified goal of defeating russia. This singular mission has united the nation, government and military.
February 24, 2022, is also a day when finally the international community has understood that not provoking russia does not guarantee global peace and security but rather defeating and dismembering that diabolical mixture of inhuman manure from many regions of Asia and Europe that calls itself russia will bring peace, security and stability.
As we stand on the threshold of the second year of this latest violent iteration of russian imperialism and belligerence, there are lessons to be learned and tasks to be undertaken by all:
1. None of this would have occurred if the post-World War Two leaders would have heeded the warnings of Stepan Bandera, leader of the Organization of Ukrainians Nationalists, and other revolutionary leaders of the captive nations not to admit russia into the fold of peaceful democracies but rather to defeat, destroy and isolate russia for the sake of humanity.
2. We, the diaspora, in concert with other former captive nations should continue pressuring Washington, DC, to safeguard Ukraine and other Eastern European countries with all necessary military and non-military means until russia is defeated, until it surrenders, until it is dismembered into insignificant ethnic territories.
3. It is the mission and goal of all Ukrainians to ensure that russia will never be accepted as an equal partner in the brotherhood of democratic countries but that it will be reviled and detested more than Nazis and Hitler until the end of time.
4. Ukraine must be accepted as a full-fledged member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization for the sake of peace, security and stability. President Biden pointed out the crucial nature of the eastern flank of NATO and Ukraine’s membership will certainly reinforce its impact and political potency.
On this day, Ukrainians and others will bow their heads in silent reflection before the Altar of Heroes – for the military service men and women, civilians and children – who made the ultimate sacrifice at the hands of russians for their fellow Ukrainians and their native country; they will salute the brave Armed Forces of Ukraine for their victories in battle against the murderous russian aggressors; and they will thank all nations and peoples of good will for their support for Ukraine.
By the grace of God and the bravery and dedication of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukrainians will prevail, defeat the russian murderers, stabilize again their independence, statehood and sovereignty, and ensure that the world will not commemorate the second anniversary of this war.
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