One thing that’s really stuck with me while serving in Ukraine is seeing how the war has affected the elderly. Many of them are the same age as my grandparents. Some manage to leave with walkers or canes, while others are bedridden, and we have to carry them to the vehicles. They face long, bumpy rides just to get away from the explosions. It’s heartbreaking to see—why can’t they spend their last days in peace?

I’ve also seen the effect of how the war has torn apart the lives of farmers. These are people who’ve poured everything they have—their time, energy, and love—into their land, only to be forced to leave it all behind. Or worse, face the risk of losing their families or even their own lives to the war.

 

It really makes you stop and think about how fragile everything is—how quickly the things you value most can be taken away.