Impromptu Group Comes to the LG Square for Different Reasons
An impromptu Sunday gathering quickly became a group of 40 Ukraine supporters. Blue and yellow flags fluttered in the wind, horns were honking and thumbs faced up for Ukraine, a country that has been plagued by full scale Russian invasion for three years. A few passers-by at the SW corner of the La Grange Square did have different views on American aid to Ukraine.
Among supporters was a Ukrainian mother, Olga Beishir, and her two sons, ages 8 and 12. Olga is a chemical engineer who lives in Columbus. She retired from the oil industry in Houston and works diligently at a Ukrainian favorite activity, gardening.
Her garden herbs and flowers are dried and become ingredients for her herbal teas, which Olga sells out her house and at Southern Flair on the Square in Columbus.
“I appreciate to see American support (at the Sunday rally). It means a lot to us right Professor Emeritus Rebecca Hegar of La Grange brought an East European perspective of history that relates to Fayette County, which is predominantly Czech.
“Czech Americans remember well that Western Allies failed to stand with Czechoslovakia when Hitler invaded in 1937 on the pretext of uniting the predominantly German-speaking Czech Sudeten region with Germany,” she says.
“For almost 90 years the name of Munich, where Prime Minister Chamberlain signed away Czech freedom, has evoked appeasement. Of course, Hitler took the whole country and proceeded to invade Poland and Belgium.
“Putin’s rationale for Russia’s invasion was to claim the partially Russian-speaking eastern section of Ukraine. Now our European allies say repeatedly that he can’t be allowed to get away with it. Munich was where US leaders began to turn away from Ukraine last month.”
Rebecca wonders if the world will learn from history or just repeat it Another Sunday participant who spoke out was Round Top resident Ginger Heath.
“I have two sisters who are housing two Ukrainian mothers with children, whose husbands remain there to serve their country. Russia attacked Ukraine. It is only natural for people to protect their homes. I believe the US should continue to support Ukraine.” Dr. Kathie Bailey, who is a retired pharmacist in La Grange, came to support Ukraine because it is our ally. She said, “It is the humanitarian thing to do. We have given them money and aid, but they have given their blood for both their country and ours. They protect themselves and the rest of the free world from the threat of the Russian dictator.”
Other aid for Ukraine is coming from non-governmental entities like World Central Kitchen that provides fresh meals to areas in crisis, Liberty Ukraine that provides for tactical equipment, and HTX4 Ukraine for medical aid, as well as other contributors.
In La Grange the impromptu group is now advertising for all Americans for Democracy to meet 3-4 p.m. every Sunday on the southwest corner of the La Grange Square. The issues are basic, like justice, opportunity and freedom for all.