From Las Vegas to Kharkiv: Words about the people who shaped the last year of my life
Whether for an hour, a day, or a year these individuals played a role in my journey of liberty and liberation.
(Below are thoughts on the people who led me to where I am and where I’m going. For security reasons, I’ve left out many folks involved in my day-to-day work on the ground in Ukraine.)
For New Years’ Eve 2021, I was invited to a sold-out concert on the strip.
Lizzo.
It was supposed to be a quick stop at a friend of a friend’s house.
We never made it to Lizzo.
Climbing onto a frigid, frost-laden roof, and watching fireworks in the distance, the next year would see me jettison the friend who invited me to the house out of my life for cavorting with actual Nazis during the 2022 election season and see the other, the one with the Lizzo tickets, play a more integral role in my Ukraine sojourn than possibly anyone else.
Deb M. literally, and I don’t shy away from using that word in the manner intended, has provided the means for me to stay in Ukraine and continue helping contribute to the fight for liberty and liberation here. More than that she has always been there to guide me with suggestions, opinions, and a clarity rarely found when discussing ethics and morals.
Thank you, Deb, thank you.
(And to the other person from that night, remember this please: Political expediency is never an excuse for refusing to condemn Nazis.)
February arrived and as was usual, multiple times every day, Amy T. and I were engaged in a phone call covering politics. It didn’t matter whether the topic was a Congressional race or a county school board vote, if it mattered in Nevada it became the topic du jour.
This time, however, at the end of some discussion, I asked my best friend what she thought if I went to Europe to cover the refugee crisis, and maybe, possibly, headed into Ukraine, “for just a couple of weeks.”
When she didn’t discourage me, when she in fact encouraged me, I understood that I could and should go.
There was one caveat.
I had to be back early enough that I could prepare for Nevada’s primary election season.
Amy, I’m so grateful to you. (Sorry for missing out on my return deadline!)
No retelling of my arrival to Ukraine, of the often told story of my train ride in from Poland, of how my time covering the war came to be, would be complete without acknowledging these three folks.
Vic, Jan, and Jordan were there and are the reason I’m here.
I was scared, petrified really, and ya’ll were my rocks.
May 2023 be one of freedom for all of us.
She is a mother, a wife, and a doctor, she was outside the country and came back when the full-scale invasion happened.
She is a hero.
She was my first interviewee and the first person I saw after leaving Lviv.
She was also the person who told me to trust the security services that took me to Kharkiv.
She told me I had to go to Kharkiv.
Halyana, I’m so glad I listened.
While I’m leaving many people connected with the military out of this post, one person who was a string in the fabric of my early work with the military in Ukraine, and has now become an instrumental presence in my life, is a leader of the Ukrainian Resistance Movement.
We first made contact in the first part of April, her supply shipments were arriving in Kharkiv and being disbursed to the ZSU almost as fast as they came in.
A daughter of Kharkiv, an American woman, a surgeon, and a humble servant of liberty, the term hero doesn’t begin to properly sum up this person’s contributions to Ukraine’s victory.
My life has been made richer with her in it, all of our lives are more protected with her in it, and the world is a better place because of her.
She is a conduit, a bridge, she is all that is good, real, and right with the world.
Her name is Rita and I’m grateful for everything about her.
Faith is a strange ideal.
It means accepting the notion that help appears in the most unexpected ways.
It also means listening to your soul.
The man below is by many things.
An asshole, a douchebag, a confidant, a patriot, a rock, he’s my lawyer, and, more importantly, my friend.
The tears were flowing, and I was inconsolable. My loneliness was overwhelming my time in North Saltivka was just beginning and the personal attacks against me were non-stop.
I was ready to leave. I wanted to come home.
He told me I needed to stay, I had to stay. That my work wasn’t done.
The asshole douchebag was right. Oh, how I hate him.
Ian, I love you. Thank you for being right.
There are so many more folks who have contributed to my life over the last year. Who has contributed to me moving forward, to staying alive, who have taught me, listened to me, and simply helped me:
Chairman Byron B. - The mission is getting home and I get that.
Councilwoman Victoria S. - You showed me loyalty and leadership.
Jon R. - You made me, and you taught me why journalism matters, why #WeMatter.
Phil H. - One day we’ll understand what is happening.
Irena - Cut the promo, get the heat. Rinse and repeat until you’re the “Man.”
Jay K. - It’s not just four walls and a roof. TY for “getting it.”
Alex R. - You understand journalism, in the front room and the backroom.
Liz W. - I can’t put into words your work toward victory, you are a hero.
Roman M. - You are the Spirit of Ukraine.
Liza - You make me smile.
The Troll Control - Y’all had a girl’s back.
UAO, DH, RH - Each of your groups has done so much. TY.
Thank you for your work in the Ukraine ❤️
I was just thinking about our New Year’s escapade! Such a wonderful, bittersweet year of friendship. I love your honesty, humor and courage. Your commitment to freedom and democracy shows the world what a real American patriot looks like. Bless you. Wear your Alaska qiviut hat to stay warm. Slava Ukraini! 🇺🇦 🥰