Postcards remind a person that they are human

Andriy is a Postcrosser, entrepreneur, and now a Defender. His home is in Ternopil, which he describes as a beautiful and cozy city in western Ukraine, where he was born and raised, and where his family, friends, and relatives live.

Then, he recalled, “when the Russian terrorist invasion of my country began in 2022, I didn’t leave, even though the first weeks of the war were very frightening. In the spring of 2024, I was mobilized into the Ukrainian army, even though I’m not very young anymore; I never thought I’d serve in the military again :). But, today’s reality, unfortunately, sets its own rules. I can’t disclose my current location, but I can share that for the past six months, I’ve been in the combat zone in eastern Ukraine.”

Before the war, Andriy worked as an entrepreneur in the printing and stationery sales business. For over 20 years, he produced ink stamps, seals, did graphic design and photographic work. Now, he simply states, “I am a soldier in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and military service is impossible to describe in just one sentence. :)”

We can only imagine.

He also told us that “war changes people. The question of life and death brings out more good and positive qualities in character; you love your loved ones more, care for them more, and worry about them more. Small troubles become insignificant. The war has made me a soldier again. Several of my relatives and friends are also currently defending Ukraine. Some of my comrades-in-arms are no longer alive … ”

Andriy received his summons to serve from the military enlistment office in Ternopil. It was a speedy process going from basic military training straight to deployment at the front. He serves in the infantry, which he describes as a “physically and mentally demanding military specialty.”

It’s not the work that he had seen himself doing at this stage in his life, but Andriy believes that “my work and service bring the end of the war closer with each passing day, and I really hope for this.”

When Andriy sees postcards arriving at the front lines, he believes that they are “a good deed by good people from all over the world. It’s very touching; it inspires and reminds us of home, family, and peaceful life.”

Even though Defenders don’t have a lot of time to talk amongst themselves about the postcards they receive, Andriy sees “the smiling faces of very tired people reading children’s letters and drawings [sent] for the defenders of Ukraine. It reminds a person that they are, indeed, Human.”

And so, the effort of each one of our postcard warriors is genuinely appreciated.

Andriy “believes that sending postcards of support to the defenders of Ukraine is a very good and important initiative. However, as sad as it is to say this, it doesn’t stop the Russian insane dictator … . The governments of the civilized democratic world and the Ukrainian authorities, in my opinion, are not doing enough to end the war or help Ukraine win.”

True enough. Postcards boost morale. But, they do not fill the gaps in equipment and personnel needed to defend a nation from terror.

While he works with his brothers and sisters to defend Ukraine, striving toward victory and freedom, Andriy imagines the days after victory “will be wonderful and amazing times filled with the joy of life.”

As to his plans: “I don’t know yet, but I want to try something new. I will travel a lot because there is so much to explore in the world.”

And, to us, he offers this: “I simply invite everyone to visit our wonderful and beautiful country – welcome to Ukraine!”

Need cards? Write to us at postcardstothefront.canada@gmail.com, and we’ll send you postcards to write to Defenders. FREE!

If you have some written cards ready for us to ship to Ukraine, here’s our address:

Postcards to the Front
P. O. Box 184
Millbrook, ON   L0A 1G0 Canada

Click here to subscribe.