Ukrainian defenders took part in Soldier Field 10!
On May 25th of this year in Chicago, USA, the annual Soldier Field 10 run was held to honor the memory of fallen soldiers on the eve of Memorial Day. This event symbolizes the unity and solidarity of veterans from different countries in the fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights. This year, more than 10,000 people participated in the run.
The Charity Fund "Vesna!" had the honor of co-organizing the participation of the Ukrainian delegation in this large-scale event. The Ukrainian team was represented by over 20 participants, including 11 active officers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, a retired Major General, as well as veterans and military personnel undergoing rehabilitation in the USA.
"This year, for the third time, our team of active military personnel came. All of them are wounded, all are participating for the first time - and the result is incredible!” noted Major General Volodymyr Havrylov, head of the delegation, as well as the director of the "Veterans Dozen" Charity Fund and an advisor at the U.S.-Ukraine Foundation, in a comment to Ukrainian media.
Despite injuries and even amputations, Ukrainian soldiers demonstrated incredible strength of spirit. For example, 26-year-old volunteer Yuriy Lukashov from Koriukivka in the Chernihiv region completed the 10-kilometer distance on a prosthetic leg! "This is a temporary prosthesis, not meant for running, but it was important for me to complete this distance," said section commander Lukashov, who already has 18 months of combat experience in Donbas. Yuriy commented to Hromadske Radio a minute after finishing: https://hromadske.radio/news/2024/05/26/ukrainski-veterany-vzialy-uchast-u-probizi-soldier-field-10-u-chykaho-video
The Ukrainians ran in blue and yellow uniforms with the slogan "Run for Ukraine." Americans greeted them joyfully, expressing solidarity and respect for our veterans.
Representatives of American and Ukrainian media were very interested in interviewing and talking with our veterans about their personal experiences in the war, the situation in Ukraine, and the resilience of the Ukrainian spirit. Each expressed support and respect, identifying with the blue and yellow flag.
Our veterans arrived in the United States three days before the run. During this time, they managed to visit St. Nicholas Cathedral School in Chicago, where they shared their stories with students. The Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago, Serhiy Koledov, during his welcoming speech, expressed great gratitude to the school leadership for their work and support of the children of Ukrainian families who found themselves in Chicago due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. He also called on those present to support the "Run For Ukraine" team and all Ukrainian military personnel undergoing treatment and rehabilitation in the USA after being wounded. The meeting with the Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago was indeed an important stage of the trip. More details at the link: https://www.ukr.net/news/details/society/104722008.html
The team was delighted to visit the Ukrainian National Museum and the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art in Chicago, St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, and the "Holodomor" and "Heavenly Hundred" memorials in Bloomingdale. They also visited the active UGCC church in Chicago - St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Catholic Church.
After the run, our soldiers had a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a small cruise along the Wendella River. In the evening of the same day, they had a meeting with Ukrainian writer Yuriy Hudymenko at the presentation of his book "Stories and Wars."
Also, our team met with the ambassador of Ukraine in Washington. They visited the World War II and Korean War memorials, exchanged experiences and stories of military service with American veterans, interacted with ordinary citizens, the Ukrainian community, and watched the Memorial Day parade.
Our soldiers had opportunities to communicate with local US media. It helped spread the truth about the Russo-Ukrainian war to the whole world. We would like to thank the American media for their genuine interest in what is happening in our country, in particular: CBS News Chicago for a great interview: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/7UD3aNRbPo5V9h4F/?mibextid=VMBKnz, Ukrainian Independent Radio, Radio UA Chicago, and all other media representatives who supported our team.
The support of our domestic media was also important for our military: Espreso, Suspilne, Pryamy, Hromadske Radio, gazeta.ua, NV, the 5th Channel website, ukr.net, bukvy.org, ukrinform, portal.lviv.ua, and the magazine "Krayina." (Live broadcast on Espreso can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/D54Ir9HcSio?si=Oa2d8GXX1JYQXGLq)
"Even those who suffered injuries or even amputations did not lose their motivation and strive to demonstrate to others the indomitable Ukrainian spirit," emphasized Colonel Maksym Koshovyi, a member of the delegation and run participant, who has been participating in the war for independence since 2014.
Charity Fund "Vesna!" continues our mission to support the military and veterans. We are proud to have the opportunity to be part of such an important initiative.
We sincerely thank the organizers and partners for their great work and support, which made this trip possible: Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, "Veteran Dozen, Soldier Field 10, Revived Soldiers Ukraine, Help Heroes of Ukraine, and the project sponsor - the company "Infozahyst."
This trip is a vivid manifestation of our unity and confidence in victory. Ukrainian soldiers, the true pride of our nation, impressed everyone with their courage and dedication.
Together we can achieve success and victory over any challenges!
