Freedom Square, Kharkiv🇺🇦

In every city and village during my humanitarian volunteer trip through Ukraine, I pause to honor the fallen. 🕯️ Today, it was Freedom Square in Kharkiv.

🇺🇦Each flag is a glimpse into a life cut short, a reminder of the cost of freedom.

🕊️ Their heroism will never be forgotten.

Heroyam Slava. Slava Ukraini. 🇺🇦

#Ukraine #Kharkiv#NeverForget #SlavaUkraini#HeroyamSlava#Heroes#Freedom#Democracy #courage

🌅 🇺🇦 Sunset in Odesa after a day of humanitarian volunteering.

Stopped by European Square (formerly Katerynyns’ka Square) to pay respects and honor 🕯️fallen heroes—and a banner calling to free the Azovstal defenders.

🕊️Their courage and heroism will forever be remembered.

Heroyam Slava. Slava Ukraini. 🇺🇦

#Ukraine #Odesa#Mariupol #Azovstal#POW #volunteer #freedom #peace #heroes#HeroyamSlava #sunset#Democracy

The story of the blue doll🇺🇦🇺🇸

🎁A gift from an incredible woman—Mrs. Olena.

She remembered me from my last volunteering in #Kyiv.🇺🇦

When she’s not weaving camouflage nets, she crafts handmade dolls for frontline defenders, too.✨

This one found its way to Malden.🇺🇸
I’m thinking of her. And the people of #Ukraine 🇺🇦

#cats #koty #arts #culture #dolls#standwithukraine #boston #volunteer #freedom #democracy #heroes #emt #coach #ukrainian#slavaukraini

Personal Anecdote Time:

I once wrote to Jan N. Bremmer, a Dutch #historian , because I was interested in #eleusinianmysteries .

I told him I'm a random layperson but thought his talk (a lecture at a German uni at the time) was great but I can't afford his books (still can't).

After 6 months, I received a massive envelope in the mail from Mr Bremmer - it contained an entire book chapter on the mysteries & a note that he hopes this will help!

#Lesson: write your #heroes, you never know

Personal Anecdote Time:

I once wrote to Jan N. Bremmer, a Dutch #historian , because I was interested in #eleusinianmysteries .

I told him I'm a random layperson but thought his talk (a lecture at a German uni at the time) was great but I can't afford his books (still can't).

After 6 months, I received a massive envelope in the mail from Mr Bremmer - it contained an entire book chapter on the mysteries & a note that he hopes this will help!

#Lesson: write your #heroes, you never know

Update from Kharkiv 🇺🇦

I just received word that the ⛑️tourniquets I sent were added to first aid kits—and they’re now with the heroes of the 44th Brigade.

This is one of five batches I’ve sent to friends across Lviv, Kyiv, Kherson, and Kharkiv. 🇺🇸Since 2022, I’ve supported Ukraine both as a humanitarian volunteer and from home. That promise continues.

You are not forgotten.
Slava Ukraini🇺🇦

#Ukraine#Boston#Volunteer #Kharkiv #heroes #firstresponders #peace #SlavaUkraini#Kyiv#Lviv #Kherson

😀Brightening my day before my SPARTA Strength class: hanging out with Karen and Mary (97 years young!), rockstars ✨ from the Malden Senior Center! 💪🏾

#Community #fitness #seniors#Friendship #smile#Gratitude #life #inspirational #heroes #HealthEquity #maldenma #northshorema#healthequity#Boston #photography

👉🏽 I just received a photo from Ukraine—three defenders holding the tourniquets I mailed, sharing their thanks. This is one of five batches I've sent to my friends across Lviv, Kyiv, Kherson, and Kharkiv.

⛑️Since 2022, I’ve supported as both a humanitarian volunteer on the ground and from home—standing with the people of Ukraine every step of the way. That promise continues.

#Ukraine️#Kyiv#Democracy#Freedom #volunteer#Boston #peace #heroes