Heroes of Ukraine appreciate our diocese's donations
by Diocese of Des Moines | February 22, 2023
By Father Jim Kirby
As we left the van and made our way back into the Premier Hotel Aurora in downtown Kharkiv, the sounds of artillery could still be heard in the distance and sometimes in the not too far distance. The Premier Hotel is a beautiful and elegant hotel, but sadly, due to the war, it stands empty. Tourism is not on anyone’s mind as this once beautiful city has been sucked into this horrible, evil war.
Earlier, we had left all of the suitcases full of donations in the corner of the hotel lobby. Joining me in the van were members of the Rotary Club Kyiv-Sophia and also members of the Rotary Club Kharkiv-Nadiya. We had been delivering other supplies to the town of Staryi Saltiv, located an hour east of Kharkiv and 30 kilometers south of the Russian border. The town had been practically leveled by shelling and most of the population, those who could, had fled.
As we gathered in the lobby, three members of the Ukrainian military joined us, friends of the Rotary Club and representatives of Ukrainian military who had come to collect the donations of thermal socks, sleeping bags and other essentials donated for the soldiers at the front. Most of the donations given to the soldiers were from members of the parishes St. Anne in Logan, St. Patrick in Missouri Valley, the Emmaus House and others.
The three soldiers at that time were on a short leave from the fighting at the front, which wasn’t all that far away. They came to Kharkiv to relax a little before heading back to the battle. For me, it was not easy to relax in Kharkiv, being in the shadows of the destroyed building and the constant sound of the battle ever present. I suppose, compared to the front, Kharkiv must seem like a peaceful oasis.
After loading the donations into a military vehicle, the soldiers, members of the Rotary Club and myself, sat down in one of the rooms off the lobby of the hotel for coffee and conversation. The three soldiers were impressive with their physical size, their full military uniforms, body armor and attached accessories. But most of all, they were impressive with their quiet confidence and strength. They always carried their rifles, AK74s and their vests were filled with ammunition clips. They were stoic, with the standard 1,000-yard stare that most soldiers acquired after being in battle.
The members of the Rotary Club and soldiers conversed in Ukrainian at first, but I didn’t mind. I was just honored to be with the soldiers and members of the Rotary Club. One of the soldiers, a drone engineer, spoke to me in broken English.
“Ask me anything,” he offered. I asked him about the rotation they served regarding how much time at the front versus time away.
He asked me what the Americans thought of Ukraine. I said we are learning and we are learning to appreciate the situation with the war and the need for American support. He asked me about American politics and those who opposed Ukraine. Trying to be diplomatic, I explained that there are those who question the wisdom of financially supporting Ukraine, but the majority of Congress and the president supported Ukraine. I told him how I felt and how much I love Ukraine.
As the conversation went on and became more relaxed, there was a sense of mutual appreciation, a connection in a common goal, a concern for each other’s wellbeing.
I admit it was rather emotional saying good-bye to these brave defenders. We looked each other in the eye as we shook hands and I said “thank you” and “God bless you” to each soldier, wondering about their survival as they went back to the frontline. The Ukrainian people are so proud of their defenders who, against all odds, were not only standing toe to toe with the presumed second largest military in the world but even more, advancing against them. I had a similar feeling being with these defenders. I felt admiration, appreciation and just being proud to be with them even for a short time.
I hope that the support for Ukraine will grow in the United States and I hope the people of our country grow to appreciate and love this country the way I have come to. Judging by the reaction of the parishioners in their donations and the generosity of friends and family, it seems like support is growing. I hope so. For me, it is a no brainer and fundamental to being a disciple of Jesus: the basic caring for those in need, the least of God’s Kingdom.
Once we had delivered all of our donations, it was time for the Kyiv folks and me to head for the train station for our six-hour train ride back to Kyiv. Another sign of why Ukraine will win the war is that even in the midst of horrible evil and violent destruction, the trains still run on time.
Father Jim Kirby is a priest of the Diocese of Des Moines.