I haven't read this thread since ... a long time, the last time there was good news. It used to be the first thing I read every morning.
The 2025 Longhorn Baseball team is no mas, My Apple Wallet was "hacked" this morning, and by extenstion (with my assistance no less), all of my apple devices were exposed and required an electronic cleansing of sorts. F*ck!!!
And I come here, and this is one of the best days in my not so young life. I won't quote every post, so many are worthy. Just a few highlights.
Choripan,
You Sir, are my hero!
I applaud you, I envy you, and I thank you, for doing what so many wish they could do. For doing what I wish I could do, or could have done.
I grew up, learning to hide under a desk, because of Russia. I've been intrigued by Ukraine since I could remember, when I saw the Antonov 225, and its MIG escorts, in OKC in the late 80's. Those cool looking planes, marvels of engineering, painted in Ukraine Blue & Yellow. Soviet? Yes, but from Ukraine. I've wanted to go to Ukraine since the term "Russian Brides" was coined, and I had a Yoga Instructor from Ukraine. (I didn't have her that way.)
And then Fucking Putin invades Ukraine, because he can. The images of brutality that flooded this website.
I read your chronicle of the stories you shared, before your trip, while you were there, and what I just read today. You went and helped Ukraine, with your hands, working side by side with the most deserving people on God's Green Earth, in a way that this 68 year old, quintupled by-passed, arthritic, 5'-8'', 155 lb, whiskey drinking Texan, could never do. For a few weeks, I lived through you. You are the poster child of Service to others. You made me proud to be American.
I'm in Austin. Drinks are on me. Let me know.
When I first saw these pictures, my first thought was from MIDWAY.
Is this the inflection point in the Russia-Ukraine War? One can only hope.
Fucking Russia; It's bad enough they have used horses, and golf carts, and motorcycles to fight a war; now they're down to sticks and stones? They are working back to the stone age, all by themselves.
The ingenuity of Ukraine, and their ability to continue to deliver at the highest level, against the 2nd Army of the World, is simply, amazing.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
You bet your ass. WOW!!!!
Little David, with his newly dropped little 'nads, dragging his little grapes all over Putin's face like icing on a cake.
I can't wait for Russia to tear itself apart from the inside, looking for ghosts. Couldn't happen to a worse group of people.
Thank you all for your posts, and insights.