Russian president Vladimir Putin (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
I am a post 9/11 veteran and like many of us I was distraught seeing the fall of Afghanistan back to the Taliban in August of 2021 after 20 years of war. I joined the Army because I wanted to serve a cause greater than myself, and I wanted to help spread democracy and American values abroad.
This is why it was so difficult to realize that our mission had failed. Instead of spreading lasting democracy to Afghanistan and Iraq, the United States actually saw our own democracy weakened. It is hard to see us as that shining city on a hill anymore like I once believed. After witnessing a President refuse to concede a free and fair election and then incite an insurrection to block the peaceful transfer of power on January 6, 2021 it was hard to find pride in the uniform I once wore.
Then it got even worse in February 2022 when the world watched a murderous dictator from Russia, Vladamir Putin, invade Ukraine, a sovereign nation and a growing democracy. But I thought to myself if anything could bring our polarized society back together, it was standing up for democracy against one of the worst regimes in the world in Russia.
I grew up in the Republican party of Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and John McCain. The bedrock of the party had always been to stand up for democratic values in the face of tyranny.
Ronald Reagan once said, “America has kept alight the torch of freedom, but not just for ourselves, but for millions of others around the world.”
John McCain even has a street named after him in Kyiv because of the unwavering support he had for the Ukrainian people. In December of 2016, McCain returned to Ukraine and gave a powerful speech in which he said, “I send the message from the American people – we are with you, your fight is our fight, and we will win together. To Vladimir Putin – you will never defeat the Ukrainian peoples and deprive them of their independence and freedom.”
It is hard to imagine that this speech was given by a prominent Republican just eight years ago because it feels like it was 80 years ago. The party I once believed in has completely sold its soul. Right after the illegal invasion by Russia, Donald Trump called it a “genius” and a “savvy” move. A truly appalling statement that still disgusts me to this day.
Most military experts thought the Russian army would crush the Ukrainian army and overtake Kyiv within weeks. But the Ukrainian people believed what John McCain believed, that their spirit could never be broken, and their freedom could never be taken. They began to shock the world and stand toe to toe with one of the largest armies on earth.
As dismayed as I was with my own country for our apathy towards our democracy, I was truly inspired by the brave Ukrainians for the heroism and courage they showed on the battlefield every day. The way President Zelensky rallied his country and the way President Biden stood beside him and rallied our NATO allies made me believe in democratic leadership again.
What I did not prepare myself for was how much the right-wing propaganda machine would go into overdrive, and how much the hatred for Ukraine would grow in the MAGA base. It is perfectly reasonable to have a debate on whether we should be sending military aid to the Ukrainian army or not. But that is not what is happening on the right. There is no grey area when discussing the morality of this war. It is completely black and white that the Russian military is the evil aggressor, and the Ukrainian military is trying to defend their homeland from a bloodthirsty tyrant that is attempting to conquer them.
Instead of showing empathy towards the Ukrainian people while having a policy difference on U.S. involvement, the warped reality in MAGA media has turned President Zelensky into the villain and President Putin into the victim. It is a fact that the Russian army has kidnapped thousands of Ukrainian children and committed countless heinous war crimes. To do anything other than callout Russia for the war criminals they are is immoral and shameful. But that is how low the U.S. has sunk. President Trump just last week said, “Russia fought for that land in Ukraine and lost a lot of soldiers doing it, so Russia should keep it.” And with that quote, America threw away any last shred of credibility to be called the leader of the free world right now.
As we remember the 3rd anniversary of the start of this brutal war, I wanted to say thank you to the Ukrainian people for reminding the world what it looks like when a citizenry comes together to fight against evil in defense of decency and democracy. This is what America did after 9/11 and even though we have lost our way, just know there are millions of us that still believe that America at its best is a kind nation that can use its great strength for good. Until that day comes when we are back on the right and moral path, keep fighting and hold the line with our great European allies for the free world. Glory to Ukraine!
If you are looking for ways to help, please consider a donation to Ukrainians in the Carolinas. https://www.ukrainiansinthecarolinas.org.