Although I had visited – and been completely charmed – when visiting Ukraine before the full scale war, realizing Ukraine was suddenly in an all-out war was difficult to believe. How, in this age of higher enlightenment, could such a thing happen. Unfortunately we have been shown it can, and will continue to happen. With that heavy heart, in those first few days, I tried to stay aware of how Ukraine might fight back against a superpower and survive. The outlook was beyond bleak.
And then, the message from President Zelenskyy… to paraphrase, “I am here!” The not so subtle message, from my perspective, was, ‘stay with me. I am staying with you! Our country needs both of us!’ And the country stayed with him. Then, came the phrase that will be remembered in World history for hundreds of years. When the United States, trying to rescue what they thought was the president of a doomed country, offered President Zelenskyy a jet for evacuation, his response was, “I don’t need a ride. I need ammunition!” The United States, indeed the entire World - especially Russia - underestimated the will, courage, resilience and strength of Ukrainians. That act by the President – to me – was the underpinning that country needed to believe they would survive together and to overcome this invasion by an international bully.
What followed – and cemented my vision – were the many stories of acts of dignity…Snake Island defenders, AZOV Brigade holding on for weeks…the soldier who blew up a bridge to stop a Russian advance knowing he would be blown up with it, the medics, the civilians taking up arms and rescuing soldiers, the animals that were shepherded to safety, and so many more events. I tried to keep up with them all, but failed. I wanted to know of and appreciate all those acts of dignity – heroism by regular citizens – courage beyond what was thought possible -resilience in the face of atrocities and gruesome acts by the enemy.
So, I asked my dear friends at Zhytomyr Polytechnical State University to allow me to suggest an idea: A repository of events described by those who saw or participated in those many acts of dignity to retain, regard, study and honor them, beginning with the President’s Acts of Dignity. I knew ZPSU had all the capabilities…the incredible students, the learned professors and staff, and the leadership and stewardship that would consider something of this nature. The suggestion was embraced. It is now the best opportunity to save those stories for posterity.
Bert Watson Florida, United States of America