When a country comes and tries to take what doesn't belong to them, it is natural to stand up and defend what it yours. I do not understand those who do not. Not everyone is meant to be infantry, that much is true, but there are other roles where one can contribute and defend their nation.

I know this enemy. It took everything from my family, including their lives and homeland. But they fought back anyway despite being murdered by the russians, exiled to Siberia, forced to run, etc. They were Lithuanian partisan fighters, translators, doctors, and rescuers.

Everything russia touches dies and if it manages to survive, the deep scars remain. The knowledge of our history is one of my greatest motivations. Reading their diary entries has always been heartbreaking for me. I wish I could tell them that our Vilkija is back in the hands of our family. Not quite the same, but still free.

I can't explain what it's like to see the fear and horror flash across your grandparent's face from the knowledge that russia has once again invaded a country with the intention of occupation. It is an image that is burned into my brain. I could see every terrible memory she ever had come back to life. She passed about two years after russia invaded Ukraine.

These were people I loved, people who raised me, not some far off generation that I didn't know. I knew them, hugged them, heard their stories and knew their pain.

Whatever your feelings may be, duty to serve when your country is at war doesn't change. Freedom is only one generation away from extinction. Everyone must do their part. For me, the path started in 2014 volunteering on the US side, continued in 2022 as a volunteer in Ukraine and later as an active duty medic. My great grandparents died never seeing Lithuania become free. I could not live with the idea of this happening again to anyone.

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About Rima

Volunteer in Ukraine

CASE STUDY: Tourniquet conversion failure and other complications

What they took from us

American Red Cross of Illinois 2026 Hero Awards- I am this year's Global Citizenship Hero