Here in the United States, we traditionally celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday in May by spending time with family and friends, to pay homage to all of the men and women in the military who have given their lives to protect our nation . . . and to salute those who are currently serving.

This year, I’d like to extend my thoughts beyond our borders. In recognition of the ongoing struggle of the people of Ukraine — both military and civilian — in the defense of their country, I send to you my hopes and prayers for a speedy end to this horrific war, and a just and lasting peace in the future.

The people of Ukraine are, in the truest sense, Russia’s hostages. And so, you remain on my list of those to whom I pay my respects each week.

And not to be forgotten:

The People of Ukraine
The Azov 12
David Barnes
Ales Bialiatski (in Belarus)
Gordon Black
Andrei Chapiuk (in Belarus)
Antonina Favorskaya
Konstantin Gabov
Robert Gilman
Stephen James Hubbard
Sergey Karelin
Ihar Karney (in Belarus) on
Vadim Kobzev
Darya Kozyreva
Artyom Kriger
Uladzimir Labkovich (in Belarus)
Michael Travis Leake
Aleksei Liptser
Ihar Losik (in Belarus)
Mikita Losik (in Belarus)
Daniel Martindale
Farid Mehralizada (in Azerbaijan)
Nika Novak
Marfa Rabkova (in Belarus)
Igor Sergunin
Dmitry Shatresov
Robert Shonov
Eugene Spector
Valiantsin Stafanovic (in Belarus)
Siarhei Tsikhanouski (in Belarus)
Laurent Vinatier
Robert Romanov Woodland
Vladislav Yesypenko (in Crimea)
Yuras Zyankovich (in Belarus)

. . . and any others I may have missed.

Godspeed.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
5/25/25