Editor's Note This story first appeared in two parts in the print editions of the Watauga Democrat . Part one was published in the July 6 edition of the newspaper and part 2 was published in the July 13 edition.
Misha didn’t know why, but he had a feeling. He had to ensure his car was fueled up and ready to go. It was approximately 1 a.m. on Feb. 24.
×
Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
kAm~?=J 7@FC 9@FCD =2E6C[ 2E di_f 2]>][ 2? 6IA=@D:@? C@4<65 E96 2A2CE>6?E] |:D92[ 9:D H:76 2?5 EH@ 49:=5C6? H@<6 2D H:?5@HD D92EE6C65 2?5 42C 2=2C>D 3=2C65]k^Am
kAm%96 H2C E96J 762C65 925 368F?] #FDD:2 H2D :?G25:?8 &<C2:?6 2?5 E96J H6C6 C:89E :? E96 >:55=6]k^Am
k9bmqF:=5:?8 &A E@ (2Ck^9bm
kAm|:D92 q@9@D=2GD<J: 2?5 p??2 q@92D=2GD<2 =:G65 :? E96 @FE6C A2CE @7 z92C<:G — 2 4:EJ :? ?@CE962DE &<C2:?6 H:E9 2 A@AF=2E:@? @7 >@C6 E92? ` >:==:@? A6@A=6 — H:E9 E96:C EH@ 49:=5C6? s2??J[ `a[ 2?5 |2CJ[ `_]k^Am
kAmx? z92C<:G[ |:D92 @A6C2E65 D>2== 3FD:?6DD6D 96 H2D BF:4<=J 56G6=@A:?8 E92E 925 DEC@?8 AC@DA64ED] w6 @H?65 AC@A6CEJ E92E 96 C6?E65 2?5 2 H@C<D9@A H:E9 AC@76DD:@?2= E@@=D E92E 96 H@F=5 2=D@ C6?E @FE]k^Am
Misha, Danny and Mary before the war in Ukraine.
Photo submitted
kAm(96? E96 E2=< @7 H2C DE2CE65 :? &<C2:?6[ ?@ @?6 C62==J 36=:6G65 :E 3642FD6 &<C2:?6 2?5 #FDD:2 2C6 4@??64E65 E9C@F89 C6=2E:G6D] }@ @?6 E9@F89E 2 =2C86\D42=6 H2C H2D 4@>:?8]k^Am
kAmx? =2E6 a_a`[ 2 r@?8C6DD:@?2= #6D62C49 $6CG:46 C6A@CE ?@E65 E96C6 925 366? C6A@CED @7 D:8?:7:42?E >@G6>6?E 3J #FDD:2? >:=:E2CJ 7@C46D @? @C ?62C E96 &<C2:?:2? 3@C56C D:?46 >:5\~4E@36C a_a`]k^Am
kAm~? u63] e[ E96 r#$ C6A@CE DE2E65 E92E &]$] }2E:@?2= $64FC:EJ p5G:D@C y2<6 $F==:G2? H2C?65 #FDD:2 4@F=5 E2<6 24E:@? 282:?DE &<C2:?6 2?J 52J]k^Am
kAmt:89E66? 52JD =2E6C[ E92E 52J 42>6 H96? #FDD:2 2EE24<65]k^Am
Before the war, Misha and his family — Anna, Mary and Danny — liked to go on adventures.
Photo submitted
kAm(96? A6@A=6 DE2CE65 E@ =62G6 &<C2:?6[ |:D92 2?5 p??2 3682? E@ E9:?< E92E E96J 2=D@ ?66565 E@ =62G6 E96 4@F?ECJ[ 3FE |:D92 5:5?’E H2?E E@ =62G6 9:D >@E96C[ D@ 96 EC:65 E@ A6CDF256 96C] w:D >@E96C H@F=5 C67FD6 H96? 96 H@F=5 3C:?8 :E FA[ D2J:?8 D96 H@F=5?’E 36 23=6 E@ 92?5=6 E96 EC:A]k^Am
kAmtG6? E9@F89 E96J H6C6?’E =62G:?8[ |:D92 <6AE 9:D 42C 7F6=65]k^Am
kAmx? E96 62C=J >@C?:?8 @7 u63] ac[ p??2 D2:5 v@5 925 E@=5 |:D92 E@ 492C86 9:D 42C 7F==J] ~?=J 2 76H 9@FCD =2E6C[ 2? 6IA=@D:@? C@4<65 E96:C 9@>6]k^Am
k9bmp "F:6E !2?:4k^9bm
kAmxE H2D 2? :?56D4C:323=6 766=:?8] xE H2D F?36=:6G23=6] p 9F86 6IA=@D:@? 925 H@<6? |:D92 2?5 9:D 72>:=J] %96 6IA=@D:@? H2D D@ A@H6C7F= E92E 42C 2=2C>D H6C6 3=2C:?8 :? E96 ?:89E[ 2?5 H:?5@HD 925 D92EE6C65 7C@> E96 D9@4<] |:D92 4@F=5?’E 7:8FC6 @FE H92E H2D 8@:?8 @?[ 2?5 96 5:5?’E <?@H :7 E96 H2C 925 DE2CE65 @C D@>6@?6 H2D A=2J:?8 H:E9 7:C6H@C<D]k^Am
kAm%9C@F89 2 H:?5@H :? E96:C 2A2CE>6?E[ E96 72>:=J 4@F=5 D66 E96 ?:89E D<J =:89E FA 2?5 42CD DE2CE E@ >@G6[ D@ |:D92 DE2CE65 E@ =@@< 2E E96 ?6HD[ 2D 96 H2D DE:== F?DFC6 H92E H2D 92AA6?:?8] }@E9:?8 H2D E96C6]k^Am
kAmw6 =@@<65 2E 2? 2AA @? 9:D A9@?6 E92E EC24<65 2 A=2?6’D 7=:89E A2E9] %96C6 H6C6 ?@ A=2?6D @G6C &<C2:?6[ 2?5 96 F?56CDE@@5 E92E :E >62?E H2C]k^Am
kAm%96 #FDD:2? 3@C56C :D @?=J 23@FE b_ <:=@>6E6CD — `g >:=6D — 7C@> z92C<:G] |:D92 2?5 9:D 72>:=J =:G65 @? E96 @FED<:CED @7 z92C<:G :? 2 BF:6E 2C62 7@C 72>:=:6D 6G6? 4=@D6C E@ E96 #FDD:2? 3@C56C] ~? u63] ac[ E96C6 H2D 2 &<C2:?:2? >:=:E2CJ F?:E 4=@D6 E@ E96:C 2A2CE>6?E]k^Am
kAm%92E H2D E96 5:C64E:@? @7 E96 6IA=@D:@?] |:D92 F?56CDE@@5 H92E E92E >62?Ei 96 2?5 9:D 72>:=J 5:5 ?@E 92G6 >F49 E:>6 E@ =62G6 E96:C 9@>6 2?5 7=66 E@ E96 @E96C D:56 @7 &<C2:?6]k^Am
kAmw:D 72>:=J 8C23365 H92E :>A@CE2?E 5@4F>6?ED E96J 4@F=5] |:D92 42==65 9:D >@E96C[ H9@ @?=J =:G65 2 76H 3=@4<D 2H2J 4=@D6C E@ E96 #FDD:2? 3@C56C]k^Am
kAm&?56C E96 3@>3:?8[ |:D92 C2? E@ 9:D >@E96C E@ 3C:?8 96C E@ E96:C 2A2CE>6?E] w:D 72>:=J 9F55=65 :? E96 D276DE DA246 E96J 4@F=5 7:?5 :? E96:C 9@>6 2D E96J H2:E65 7@C 9:> E@ C6EFC?]k^Am
kAmp3@FE b_ E@ c_ >:?FE6D 27E6C E96 7:CDE 6IA=@D:@? D9@@< E96> 2H2<6[ |:D92[ p??2[ |:D92’D >@E96C 2?5 E96:C EH@ 49:=5C6? H6C6 @? E96 C@25]k^Am
kAmsFC:?8 E92E E:>6[ |:D92 56D4C:365 E92E A6@A=6 H6C6 :? 2 BF:6E A2?:4]k^Am
kAm“vC@H?\FAD H9@ 5@?’E <?@H H92E E@ 5@[” |:D92 D2:5 BF:6E=J 2D 9:D H:76 EC2?D=2E65]k^Am
kAmw6 <?6H E96J 4@F=5?’E DE2J E96C6[ D@ E96J 5C@G6] %CJ:?8 E@ 6D42A6 z92C<:G E@@< D6G6? @C 6:89E 9@FCD] !6@A=6 H6C6 5C:G:?8 @? E96 HC@?8 D:56 @7 E96 C@25 ECJ:?8 E@ 6D42A6] |:D92 2?5 9:D 72>:=J A2DD65 A6@A=6 7=66:?8 H:E9 E96:C :E6>D ;FDE 72==:?8 @77 E96:C 42CD H:E9 ?@ @?6 E9:?<:?8 E@ EFC? 324<] %96J A2DD65 42CD E92E 925 4C2D965 9625\@? H9:=6 ECJ:?8 E@ 6D42A6]k^Am
kAm|:D92 <?6H 96 925 E@ <66A 5C:G:?8 E@ 86E 9:D 72>:=J E@ D276EJ] w6 H2D 8@:?8 `g_ <> — 2AAC@I:>2E6=J ``_ >A9 — H9:49 96 925 ?6G6C 5@?6 367@C6]k^Am
kAm%96J H6C6 2=D@ ECJ:?8 E@ 7:8FC6 @FE H92E H2D 92AA6?:?8i (96C6 E96 3@>3D H6C6 72==:?8[ H92E A2CED @7 &<C2:?6 H6C6 36:?8 :?G2565] %96J 5C@G6 H:E9 E96:C H:?5@HD 5@H? E@ =:DE6? 7@C A=2?6D 2?5 6IA=@D:@?D[ 2?5 <6AE E92E FA 7@C cg 9@FCD] |:D92 5:5?’E D=66A]k^Am
kAmu:?2==J[ E96 72>:=J C624965 {G:G[ >@C6 E92? ea_ >:=6D 7C@> z92C<:G @? E96 @E96C D:56 @7 &<C2:?6] pE E:>6D[ E96J H@F=5 36 2E 2 4@>A=6E6 DE2?5DE:== @C 92G6 E@ H2:E 7@C 9@FCD :? =:?6 7@C 7F6= 7@C E96:C 42C] tG6? :7 E96J 7@F?5 2 A=246 H:E9 7F6=[ E96J H@F=5 @?=J 36 2==@H65 E@ 86E FA E@ a_{ — 2 =:EE=6 >@C6 E92? 7:G6 82==@?D]k^Am
kAmx? {G:G[ E96J 925 2? @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ D=66A @G6C?:89E 3FE 4@F=5?’E DE2J E96C6] %96J H6C6 324< @? E96 C@25 9@FCD =2E6C 962565 E@H2C5 &K99@C@5 — 2?@E96C `d_ >:=6D] &K99@C@5 :D 2=>@DE E96 7FCE96DE D@FE9 2?5 H6DE J@F 42? 86E :? &<C2:?6 2?5 :D C:89E @? E96 3@C56C @7 $=@G2<:2] &DF2==J[ E96 5C:G6 7C@> {G:G E@ &K99@C@5 H@F=5 92G6 E2<6? b E@ c 9@FCD] xE E@@< |:D92 2?5 9:D 72>:=J >@C6 E92? ac 9@FCD]k^Am
kAmpD E96J 5C@G6 E@H2C5 &K99@C@5[ E96J A2DD65 A6@A=6 3F:=5:?8 3@>3 D96=E6CD 2?5 C@25 3=@4<D] ~?46 E96J 8@E E@ E96 4:EJ @7 2 =:EE=6 >@C6 E92? ``_[___ A6@A=6[ E96J 7@F?5 D96=E6C E9C@F89 7C:6?5D 2E E96:C 49FC49 H9@ <?6H A6@A=6 :? &K99@C@5[ H96C6 E96J 4@F=5 DE2J 7@C 2 76H 52JD]k^Am
kAm(9:=6 E96J H6C6 7:?2==J C6DE:?8 27E6C 52JD @7 EC2G6=[ E96:C ;@FC?6J H2D?’E 5@?6] xE H2D @?=J E96 368:??:?8 7@C |:D92 2?5 9:D 72>:=J]k^Am
k9bmrC@DD:?8 E96 q@C56Ck^9bm
kAm|:D92 925 366? ECJ:?8 E@ A6CDF256 p??2 E@ =62G6 H:E9 9:D >@E96C 2?5 49:=5C6? 7@C 2 76H 52JD] w6 <?6H H92E H2D 92AA6?:?8 :? 9:D 4@F?ECJ >62?E E96J ?66565 E@ =62G6] w6 <?6H E96J ?66565 E@ =62G6[ 6G6? :7 :E H2D H:E9@FE 9:>]k^Am
kAmx? E96:C CFD9 E@ =62G6 z92C<:G[ E96 5@4F>6?ED 6I6>AE:?8 |:D92 7C@> >:=:E2CJ D6CG:46 H6C6 7@C8@EE6?] w6 925 2 >65:42= 6I6>AE:@?[ 3FE E96 5@4F>6?ED H6C6?’E H:E9 E96>] (:E9@FE E96 5@4F>6?ED[ 96 4@F=5?’E AC@G6 96 H2D 6I6>AE 2?5 E96C67@C6 4@F=5?’E =62G6 E96 4@F?ECJ]k^Am
kAmq67@C6 H2C 6CFAE65[ |:D92 2?5 9:D H:76 925 8@?6 E9C@F89 E96:C @H? 32EE=6D] %96J 925 3FC:65 EH@ 72>:=J >6>36CD 2?5 @?6 @7 E96:C 49:=5C6? H9@ 925 @?=J DFCG:G65 `g >@?E9D 27E6C 2 EC2865J 2E 3:CE9] p??2 2=>@DE 5:65 2D H6==]k^Am
kAm“xE H2D E9:D D6BF6?46 @7 6G6?ED[” p??2 D2:5[ “2?5 E96? H2C]”k^Am
kAmp7E6C 2 76H 52JD[ |:D92 D6?E 9:D H:76[ 9:D >@E96C 2?5 9:D EH@ 49:=5C6? E@ E96 3@C56C] |:D92 DE2J65 3J 9:>D6=7]k^Am
kAm(96? E96J 9F8865 8@@53J6[ E96J E9@F89E :E H@F=5 36 E96 =2DE E:>6]k^Am
kAm“%96 49:=5C6? 5:5?’E H2?E E@ =6E 9:> 8@[” p??2 D2:5] “xE H2D 2 962CE3C62<:?8 >@>6?E H96? J@F 5@?’E <?@H :7 J@F’== D66 J@FC 9FD32?5 — E96 72E96C @7 J@FC 49:=5C6? — 282:?] xE H2D =:<6 >25?6DD H96? J@F 2C6 D2J:?8 8@@53J6 2?5 J@F 5@?’E <?@H :7 J@F 92G6 2? @AA@CEF?:EJ E@ D66 6249 @E96C 282:?]”k^Am
kAm|:D92 5:5?’E <?@H :7 96 H@F=5 6G6C D66 9:D 72>:=J 282:? 3642FD6 @7 E96 F?AC65:4E23:=:EJ @7 H2C] w6 <?6H 9:D 72>:=J 925 366? E9C@F89 2 =@E @7 E96:C @H? H2CD E@86E96C 3FE F?56CDE@@5 E96J H@F=5?’E 36 23=6 E@ 8@ E9C@F89 E9:D @?6 2D 2 72>:=J]k^Am
kAm(96? p??2 2?5 E96 C6DE @7 E96 72>:=J 4C@DD65 :?E@ $=@G2<:2[ E96J A=2??65 E@ >66E H:E9 @?6 @7 |:D92’D 7C:6?5D H9@ =:G65 :? !@=2?5] |:D92 925 42==65 2?5 2D<65 9:> :7 96 4@F=5 E2<6 42C6 @7 9:D 72>:=J D:?46 96 4@F=5?’E 8@]k^Am
kAmp??2 2?5 E96 C6DE @7 E96 72>:=J H6C6 DFAA@D65 E@ 86E E@ (2CD2H[ !@=2?5[ :? 23@FE 7@FC E@ D6G6? 9@FCD] p??2 5@F3=6\4964<65 E96J H6C6 8@:?8 :? E96 C:89E 5:C64E:@? 2?5 @? E96 C:89E EC2:? 962565 E@ (2CD2H]k^Am
kAmp7E6C D:I 9@FCD[ p??2 D2:5 D96 F?56CDE@@5 D@>6E9:?8 H2D HC@?8] $@ D96 2D<65 @?6 @7 E96 EC2:? 6>A=@J66D 2?5 7@F?5 @FE E96J 925 EC2G6=65 E96 4@>A=6E6 @AA@D:E6 5:C64E:@?] $@[ E96J 8@E @77 E92E EC2:? 2?5 8@E @? 2?@E96C EC2:?] p82:?[ D96 5@F3=6\4964<65 H:E9 E96 4@?5F4E@CD E92E E96J H6C6 @? E96 C:89E EC2:?] qFE 282:?[ D@>6E9:?8 H6?E HC@?8]k^Am
kAm“x H2D D@ 4@?7FD65[” p??2 D2:5] “(6 H6C6 EC2G6=:?8 H:E9@FE 2?J H2E6C[ H:E9@FE 7@@5] %96 <:5D H6C6 DFA6C E:C65] (6 DA6?E E96 ?:89E @? WE96 $=@G2<:2 2?5 &<C2:?:2? 3@C56CX] xE H2D 4C@H565] xE H2D 7C66K:?8 4@=5]”k^Am
kAm%96J H6C6 2== 2=@?6 :? 2 7@C6:8? 4@F?ECJ H:E9 2 =2?8F286 32CC:6C 2?5 4@F=5 ?@E 7:8FC6 @FE H9J E96J H6C6 ?@E 8@:?8 E@ !@=2?5] %96J H6C6 ?6G6C E@=5 E92E E96J 925 E@ 36 @? 2 46CE2:? EC2:? D64E:@?[ H9:49 :D H9J E96J <6AE 8@:?8 E96 HC@?8 H2J]k^Am
kAmu:?2==J[ 2E >:5?:89E[ E96J 8@E E@ E96 (2CD2H DE2E:@?[ @?=J E@ 7246 2?@E96C D6E324<]k^Am
kAm“W|:D92’D 7C:6?5X 4@>6D FA H:E9 9:D H:76 2?5 96 D2JD[ ‘$@CCJ[ 8FJD[ x 42?’E 9@DE J@F] |J 9@FD6 :D 2=C625J @44FA:65[’” p??2 D2:5]k^Am
k9bm|62?E E@ q6k^9bm
kAms@?’E H@CCJ[ |:D92’D 7C:6?5 E@=5 p??2[ E96J H@F=5 7:?5 D@>6@?6 E@ 96=A]k^Am
kAmp??2 2?5 E96 C6DE @7 E96 72>:=J 8@E :?E@ E96 42C 2?5 |:D92’D 7C:6?5 DE2CE65 D62C49:?8 7@C 2 72>:=J H:==:?8 E@ 9@DE E96>] %96J 7@F?5 D@>6@?6[ 3FE :E H2D 2 DEC2?86C H9@ =:G65 2? 9@FC 2?5 2 92=7 2H2J 7C@> E96 46?E6C @7 (2CD2H]k^Am
kAm“xE H2D =2E6 2E ?:89E] (6 H6C6 5C:G:?8 W:? 2?X F?<?@H? 5:C64E:@?[” p??2 D2:5] “(6 5:5?’E <?@H E9@D6 A6@A=6]”k^Am
kAm%96J 2CC:G65[ 2?5 E96 9@DE 72>:=J DA@<6 t?8=:D9[ 2==@H:?8 p??2 E@ 4@>>F?:42E6 H:E9 E96>]k^Am
kAmp7E6C 2 76H 52JD[ E96 9@DE 72>:=J C62=:K65 E92E E96 49:=5C6? 2?5 72>:=J H6C6 56AC6DD65[ 6DA64:2==J s2??J 2?5 |2CJ] %96 9@DE 72>:=J 42>6 FA E@ p??2 2?5 2D<65[ “w@H 42? H6 4966C J@FC <:5D FAn (92E 5@ E96J ?@C>2==J 5@ :? E96:C FDF2= =:76n”k^Am
kAm|2CJ H2D 2? 2CE:DE] x? &<C2:?6[ D96 925 8@?6 E@ 2CE D49@@= 7@C E9C66 J62CD 2?5 =@G6D E@ 5C2H[ p??2 E@=5 E96>]k^Am
kAms2??J[ @? E96 @E96C 92?5[ 925 2 *@F%F36 492??6= 565:42E65 E@ {68@D 2?5 3F:=5:?8 5:776C6?E D6ED] w6 =@G65 {68@D]k^Am
kAm“(96? x H2D D9@H:?8 E96> 9:D {68@ *@F%F36 492??6=[ E96:C 724:2= 6IAC6DD:@?D 492?865 2?5 E96J 8=2?465 2E 6249 @E96C[” p??2 D2:5] “%96J DE2CE65 4CJ:?8 2?5 x DE2CE65 4CJ:?8]”k^Am
kAm%96J E@=5 p??2 E96J H2?E65 E@ D9@H 96C D@>6E9:?8] %96 9@DE 72>:=J E@@< 96C E@ E96 2EE:4 2?5 E@=5 96C E96J 5:5?’E <?@H E96 C62D@? 2E E96 E:>6[ 3FE ?@H E96J 5:5]k^Am
kAm%H@ H66<D 367@C6 E96 H2C DE2CE65[ p??2 D2:5 E96 9@DE 72>:=J E@=5 96C v@5 H2?E65 E96> E@ 86E 2 {68@ D6E] }@E ;FDE 2?J {68@ D6E[ 3FE E96 w@>6 p=@?6 {68@ D6E H:E9 ?62C=J c[___ A:646D 56D:8?65 3J 2 &<C2:?:2? E92E 925 4@>6 @FE :? ~4E@36C]k^Am
Danny with the Home Alone Lego set the Polish family had bought without knowing why.
Photo submitted
kAmp??2’D 49:=5C6? H6C6 5J:?8 E@ 86E :E[ 6DA64:2==J s2??J] %96J H6C6 2D<:?8 7@C :E 7@C r9C:DE>2D[ 3FE p??2 4@F=5?’E 86E :E 7@C E96> 3642FD6 :E H2D E@@ 6IA6?D:G6]k^Am
kAm“s2??J H2D 5C62>:?8 W@7 92G:?8 E96 =68@ D6EX[ H9:49 5:5?’E 92AA6?[” p??2 D2:5] “$@ v@5 E@=5 E96> E@ 86E E92E {68@ D6E[ 2?5 E96J 4@F=5?’E F?56CDE2?5 H9J]”k^Am
kAmr9C:DE>2D 925 2=C625J A2DD65[ 2?5 ?@ @?6 :? E96:C 72>:=J A=2J65 H:E9 {68@D] qFE E96J DE:== 3@F89E :E 2?5 AFE :E :? E96 2EE:4 2?5 4@>A=6E6=J 7@C8@E 23@FE :E F?E:= p??2[ |:D92’D >@E96C 2?5 E96 49:=5C6? 2CC:G65 2E E96:C 9@FD6]k^Am
kAm“xE H2D DF49 2 E@F49:?8[ 962CE3C62<:?8 >@>6?E[” p??2 D2:5] “pE E92E >@>6?E[ H6 <?6H E92E v@5 3C@F89E FD E@ E92E A=246 E@ E92E 72>:=J @? AFCA@D6]”k^Am
k9bmu=:89E E@ |6I:4@k^9bm
kAm%96 72>:=J DE2J65 :? (2CD2H 7@C 2 >@?E9] p??2 2?5 96C 72>:=J 2=H2JD H2?E65 E@ 8@ E@ p>6C:42] $96 925 A=2??65 E@ 86E 2 H@C< G:D2 2E E96 6?5 @7 u63CF2CJ E@ G:D:E 2?5 D66 :7 :E H2D C:89E 7@C E96:C 72>:=J]k^Am
kAmqFE H96? p??2 H6?E E@ E96 &]$] 6>32DDJ :? !@=2?5[ E96J E@=5 96C E92E E96 &]$] H2D 4=@D65 2?5 E96J 4@F=5?’E 8@ E96C6 C:89E ?@H] $@[ p??2 564:565 E92E D96 H@F=5 2AA=J E@ 8@ E@ r2?252] $96 DE2CE65 E@ 2AA=J H96? 96C 7C:6?5 42==65 96C[ H9@ H2D :? 2 D:>:=2C D:EF2E:@?]k^Am
kAmp??2’D 7C:6?5 2D<65 H92E E96J H6C6 8@:?8 E@ 5@] $@ p??2 E@=5 96C E92E D96 H2D ECJ:?8 E@ 8@ E@ r2?252 D:?46 E96J 4@F=5?’E 8@ E@ E96 &]$]k^Am
kAmw6C 7C:6?5 D2:5 E92E E96J 4@F=5 ;FDE 8@ E@ p>6C:42 E9C@F89 |6I:4@] p 7C:6?5 @7 96CD 925 EC2G6=65 :?E@ p>6C:42 7C@> |6I:4@]k^Am
kAmp??2 H2D 27C2:5 E@ 8@ H:E9@FE |:D92[ 3FE 96 E@=5 96C E@ 8@ 2?5 E92E 96 H2?E65 E96> E@ 36 D276] $@ @? 2 %9FCD52J[ D96 3@F89E A=2?6 E:4<6ED E@ |6I:4@] %96J H6C6 DFAA@D65 E@ =62G6 @? E92E |@?52J]k^Am
kAmp??2 D2:5 E96J H6C6 D9@4<65 H96? D96 D92C65 E96 ?6HD E96J H@F=5 36 8@:?8 E@ |6I:4@] %96 9@DE 72>:=J H2D ECJ:?8 E@ A6CDF256 p??2 2?5 96C 72>:=J E@ DE2J H:E9 E96> 2D :E H2D 52?86C@FD E@ ECJ 2?5 4C@DD E96C6]k^Am
kAm“(6 >256 FA @FC >:?5D E@ 8@[” p??2 D2:5]k^Am
kAmsFC:?8 E92E >@?E9[ p??2 925?’E 8@?6 @FE E@ D66 (2CD2H] qFE 27E6C p??2 564:565 E@ 8@ E@ |6I:4@[ E96 9@DE 72>:=J 4@?G:?465 p??2 E@ E2<6 96C 49:=5C6? E@ 2 EC2>A@=:?6 A2C< H96C6 E96J >6E 2?@E96C 72>:=J]k^Am
kAmxE EFC?65 @FE E96 72E96C H2D 7C@> }@CE9 r2C@=:?2[ H9:49 :D H9J E96:C 9@DE 72>:=J <?6H t?8=:D9 H6==] %96J DE2CE65 E2=<:?8 E@ E96 72>:=J[ 2?5 E96 72E96C D2:5 96 925 C646:G65 2 C6BF6DE 7C@> }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 7@C D@>6 C6>@E6 D@7EH2C6 6?8:?66CD[ H9:49 p??2 5:5]k^Am
kAmp??2 E@=5 E96> E96J H6C6 ECJ:?8 E@ 86E E@ p>6C:42 E9C@F89 |6I:4@ 2?5 H@F=5 =62G6 :? EH@ 52JD] %96 72E96C D6?E @FE 2? 6>2:= E@ 9:D 49FC49 7C:6?5D D2J:?8 E92E 2 72>:=J H2D EC2G6=:?8 E@ p>6C:42 E9C@F89 |6I:4@ 2?5 H@F=5 ?665 96=A]k^Am
kAm%H@ 52JD =2E6C[ p??2 2?5 96C 72>:=J 7=6H E@ |6I:4@]k^Am
For two days, Anna, Mary, Danny and Tetiana stayed at a bus stop in Tijuana waiting to cross into America.
Photo submitted
kAmx? |6I:4@ r:EJ[ E96J H6C6 AFE :? 2 C@@> H:E9@FE 2?J H:?5@HD 2?5 E96:C A9@?6D[ 328D 2?5 36=@?8:?8D H6C6 2== E2<6? 7C@> E96>] qFE[ :E 6?565 FA 36:?8 2 >:DE2<6 2?5 E96J H6C6 23=6 E@ 7=J E@ %:;F2?2]k^Am
kAm“u:?2==J[ H6 8@E E@ E96 |6I:42? 3@C56C[” p??2 D2:5] “(6 DE2J65 E96C6 7@C EH@ 52JD]”k^Am
kAmu@C EH@ 52JD[ p??2[ 96C 49:=5C6? 2?5 |:D92’D >@E96C DE2J65 2E 2 3FD DE@A H2:E:?8 E@ 4C@DD :?E@ p>6C:42]k^Am
k9bmp r@?G6CD2E:@?] p? t>2:=]k^9bm
kAm|2C4 $>:E9 4964<65 9:D A9@?6 2?5 D2H E92E 96 925 2? 6>2:= H:E9 E96 DF3;64E =:?6 “&<C2:?:2? 72>:=J 4@>:?8 E@ }@CE9 r2C@=:?2” 7C@> 9:D >@>] xE H2D 23@FE eib_ 2]>]k^Am
kAm%96 6>2:= H2D 2 D9@CE >6DD286 E92E 6IA=2:?65 2 72>:=J 7C@> &<C2:?6 H2D 4@>:?8 E@ }@CE9 r2C@=:?2 2?5 E96J ?66565 D@>6H96C6 E@ DE2J 7@C 2 76H >@?E9D 2?5 :7 2?J@?6 4@F=5 96=A]k^Am
kAm|2C4 2D<65 9:D H:76[ #64:[ :7 E96J H2?E65 2 &<C2:?:2? 72>:=J E@ 4@>6 =:G6 H:E9 E96> 7@C 2 =:EE=6 3:E[ 2?5 D96 D2:5 “DFC6]” $@[ |2C4 6>2:=65 324< 7@C D@>6 56E2:=D H96? 96 962C5 E92E E96J H6C6 2=C625J :? E96 2:C @? E96:C H2J E@ %:;F2?2]k^Am
kAm%96 6>2:=’D E:>:?8 H2D ?@E =@DE @? |2C4 2?5 #64:] p H66< 367@C6[ E96J 925 D2E 5@H? 2D 2 72>:=J H:E9 E96:C 49:=5C6? E@ C625 q:3=6 G6CD6D] %96J H6C6 7@4FD:?8 @? E96 v@@5 $2>2C:E2?]k^Am
kAm“(6 H6C6 E2=<:?8 2?5 W@FC <:5DX 42>6 FA H:E9 — :? C625:?8 23@FE E96 v@@5 $2>2C:E2? — 2 >2?EC2 @C D2J:?8 7@C @FC 72>:=J @7 ‘:7 ?@E FD[ E96? H9@n’” |2C4 D2:5] “(96? H6 E2=<65 E@ @FC <:5D[ D2J:?8[ ‘w6J[ H6’C6 E9:?<:?8 23@FE 5@:?8 E9:D[’ :E H2D 2=>@DE =:<6 2 ?@\3C2:?6C] |J @=56DE =@@<65 2E >6[ 2?5 D96 H2D =:<6 ‘s25[ :7 ?@E FD[ E96? H9@n’”k^Am
kAm|2C4 E2=<65 E@ D@>6 A6@A=6 H9@ >:89E 36 23=6 E@ 96=A 2?5 E@=5 E96> E96 DE@CJ 2?5 H92E H2D 92AA6?:?8 :? 9@A6D 86EE:?8 E@ p??2 2?5 96C 72>:=J]k^Am
k9bmpCC:G:?8 :? q@@?6k^9bm
kAm(9:=6 |2C4 2?5 #64: H6C6 ECJ:?8 E@ 7:8FC6 @FE H96C6 p??2 2?5 96C 72>:=J H6C6[ E96J 4C@DD65 :?E@ p>6C:42]k^Am
kAm%96J 4C@DD65 :?E@ $2? s:68@ 2?5 H6C6 3C@F89E E@ 2 3F:=5:?8 H96C6 E96J D=6AE @? >2EEC6DD6D] %96 !@=:D9 72>:=J p??2 925 DE2J65 H:E9 925 366? H@CC:65[ 2D p??2 925?’E 366? 23=6 E@ C62==J 4@>>F?:42E6 H:E9 2?J@?6 7@C EH@ 52JD]k^Am
kAmx? $2? s:68@[ p??2 4@F=5?’E D=66A] $96 42==65 |:D92 2?5 E@=5 9:> D96 5:5?’E <?@H H92E E@ 5@]k^Am
kAm“x’> =@?6=Jj H6 2C6 2== 2=@?6[” p??2 D2:5 D96 E@=5 |:D92] “(6 5@?’E <?@H 2?J@?6] x 766= D42C65]”k^Am
kAm$96 D2:5 D96 H2D 4CJ:?8 2?5 925 564:565 E@ AC2J H96? 2? F?<?@H? ?F>36C 42==65 96C] xE H2D |2C4] xE H2D E96 D64@?5 E:>6 E96J 925 E2=<65[ 2D E96J 4@>>F?:42E65 3C:67=J @? E96 A9@?6 H9:=6 E96J H6C6 DE:== :? %:;F2?2[ 3FE p??2 4@F=5?’E C62==J AC@46DD H92E 96 H2D D2J:?8 2E E92E A@:?E]k^Am
kAm(96? |2C4 42==65 E96 7:CDE E:>6[ 96 E@=5 96C 96 <?6H E9:D !@=:D9 72>:=J 2?5 E92E E96J H6C6 “8@:?8 E@ E2<6 42C6 @7 J@F]” p??2 E96? D2:5 “~z[ x’== 42== J@F H96? x 92G6 :?E6C?6E]”k^Am
kAmp??2 925 ?@ :562 H92E H2D 92AA6?:?8 2D |2C4 925 E@=5 96C “(6 92G6 A6@A=6 4@>:?8 E@ 86E J@F” H9:=6 2=D@ 2D<:?8 H96C6 D96 H2D] p??2 D2:5 D96 H2D :? $24C2>6?E@[ H9:49 D66>65 2 =:EE=6 @55 E@ |2C4] $@ p??2 H2D H2=<:?8 2C@F?5 2?5 C62=:K65[ H96? D96 D2H 2 D:8? H:E9 $2? s:68@ @? :E[ E92E D96 925 E@=5 |2C4 E96 HC@?8 2C62]k^Am
Marc, Reci, Anna, Danny, Mary and Tetiana.
Photo submitted
kAm|2C4VD H2D 23=6 E@ 86E :? 4@?E24E H:E9 A6@A=6 H9@ H6C6 23=6 E@ 6G6?EF2==J =@42E6 p??2 2?5 96C 72>:=J 2?5 8@E E96> :?E@ 2 9@E6= 2?5 86E E96> D@>6 4=@E96D[ 2D E96J 5:5?’E 92G6 >F49]k^Am
kAmp7E6C DE2J:?8 :? E96 9@E6= 7@C 2 76H 52JD[ p??2 2?5 E96 C6DE @7 E96 72>:=J 7=6H E@ ':C8:?:2] p??2 925 2? 24BF2:?E2?46 :? ':C8:?:2 E92E D96 2?5 E96 72>:=J H6C6 DE2J65 H:E9 7@C 2 H66<]k^Am
kAmsFC:?8 E92E E:>6[ p??2 u246%:>65 H:E9 |2C4[ #64: 2?5 E96:C 72>:=J E@ =@@< 2E H96C6 E96J H@F=5 36 =:G:?8]k^Am
kAmp7E6C 2 H66< :? ':C8:?:2[ E96J >256 E96:C H2J E@ q@@?6 7@C E96 7:CDE E:>6 E@ |2C4 2?5 #64:’D 9@FD6]k^Am
kAm~? pAC:= g[ p??2[ |:D92’D >@E96C 2?5 E96:C EH@ 49:=5C6? 2CC:G65 :? q@@?6 H:E9 2 76H DF:E42D6D @7 6G6CJE9:?8 E96J @H?65]k^Am
k9bm#6F?:E:?8 2?5 25;FDE:?8k^9bm
kAm(9:=6 p??2[ E96 49:=5C6? 2?5 |:D92’D >@E96C H6C6 25;FDE:?8 E@ q@@?6[ E96J H6C6 2=D@ AC2J:?8 7@C |:D92]k^Am
kAm$:?46 E96J 925 =67E &<C2:?6[ |:D92 925?’E D66? 9:D 72>:=J] %96J 4@F=5 4@>>F?:42E6 H:E9 6249 @E96C[ 3FE 96 H2D DEF4< :? &<C2:?6] |:D92 5:5?’E D9FE 5@H?] (9:=6 :? &<C2:?6[ 96 96=A65 G@=F?E66C :? &K99@C@5 H9:=6 2=D@ D66:?8 5@4E@CD E@ 86E E96 >65:42= 6I6>AE:@? E@ ?@E D6CG6 :? E96 >:=:E2CJ]k^Am
kAmtG6?EF2==J[ 27E6C >@?E9D[ 96 8@E E92E >65:42= 6I6>AE:@?]k^Am
kAm“%96 52J E92E 96 H2D 8@:?8 E@ 4C@DD E96 3@C56C[ H6 D6?E 2? 6>2:= E@ 6G6CJ3@5J E92E H6 <?6H[ 6G6CJ 49FC49 E92E H6 <?6H E92E D2:5 E@ A=62D6 AC2J[ |:D92 :D 4C@DD:?8 E96 3@C56C C:89E ?@H[” #64: $>:E9 D2:5] “%92E H2D 2 C62==J D42CJ 52J 3642FD6 H6 H6C6 E@=5 :E 4@F=5 E2<6 @?6 9@FC E@ >2?J[ >2?J 9@FCD[ 2?5 H96E96C 96’D 24EF2==J 8@:?8 E@ 86E 24C@DD @C ?@E] (6 5:5?’E <?@H] (6 H6C6 ;FDE AC2J:?8] p?5 E96? 96 5:5]”k^Am
kAm~? pAC:= aa[ |:D92 4C@DD65 E96 3@C56C 2?5 H6?E E@ !@=2?5]k^Am
kAm“%96 A6@A=6 2E E96 &<C2:?:2? 3@C56C H6C6 DFA6C <:?5[ DFA6C @A6?[ H9:49 :D 2 C2C6 42D6 F?56C H2C 4:C4F>DE2?46D[” p??2 D2:5] “xE H2D ;FDE 2?@E96C >:C24=6]”k^Am
The welcome committee for Misha as he landed in Charlotte.
Photo submitted
kAm|:D92’D ;@FC?6J H2D?’E 5@?6 J6E 2D 96 925 E@ DE2J :? !@=2?5 7@C 2 >@?E9] (96? |:D92 4C@DD65 E96 3@C56C :?E@ !@=2?5[ E96 |6I:42? 3@C56C 925 4=@D65] %96J <6AE 962C:?8 23@FE 2 AC@8C2> 7@C &<C2:?:2? C67F866D[ 3FE E96J 5:5?’E <?@H 9@H =@?8 E92E H@F=5 E2<6]k^Am
kAmqFE 2D |2C4 AFE :E — 2== E9:?8D 4@?D:56C65[ :E >@G65 72:C=J BF:4<=J]k^Am
kAm|:D92 7=6H 7C@> !@=2?5 E@ r92C=@EE6 — H:E9 2 DE@A :? |F?:49[ v6C>2?J — 2?5 C6F?:E65 H:E9 9:D 72>:=J @? |2J af 2E E96 r92C=@EE6 s@F8=2D x?E6C?2E:@?2= p:CA@CE]k^Am
kAm|:D92[ 9@H6G6C[ 92D?’E AC@46DD65 36:?8 324< H:E9 9:D 72>:=J 2?5 2H2J 7C@> &<C2:?6]k^Am
kAm“w6 92D?’E AC@46DD65 :E J6E 3642FD6 96 92D =@DE 9:D AC6G:@FD =:76[” p??2 D2:5] “W{@DEX 9:D 72>:=J 7@C D@>6 E:>6 — H6 5:5?’E D66 6249 @E96C 7@C E9C66 >@?E9D] (6 =@DE 6G6CJE9:?8 :? &<C2:?6]”k^Am
kAm|:D92 D2:5 :E’D =:<6 36:?8 @? 2 ?6H A=2?6E] x? &<C2:?6[ E96J 5:5?’E 92G6 2?J ?665D] %96J 96=A65 A6@A=6 :? ?665[ H6C6 24E:G6 :? 49FC49 2?5 H6C6 “2=H2JD E96 8:G6CD]” p??2 E@=5 DE@C:6D @7 9@H |:D92 H@F=5 8@ @FE @7 9:D H2J — D@>6E:>6D H:E9 72>:=J ?@E F?56CDE2?5:?8 H9J — E@ 96=A A6@A=6] |:D92 92D E96 D2>6 >:?5D6E E92E #64: 2?5 |2C4’D 72>:=J 92G6[ H:E9 E96 D2J:?8[ “:7 ?@E FD[ E96? H9@n”k^Am
kAmx? &<C2:?6[ |:D92 925 8C@H:?8 3FD:?6DD6D[ 2?5 H@F=5 8@ @? 72>:=J 25G6?EFC6D] w6 5:5 ?@E 92G6 E@ C6=J @? 2?J@?6 E@ 96=A E2<6 42C6 @7 9:D 72>:=J] }@H 96 5@6D[ E@ 2 46CE2:? 6IE6?E[ 2D E96J D6EE=6 :? q@@?6]k^Am
kAm“p== @7 2 DF556?[ :E’D 8@?6[” |:D92 D2:5 2D p??2 EC2?D=2E65] “*@F ?665 E@ DE2CE @G6C 282:? 7C@> D4C2E49[ 32D:42==J 92G:?8 ?@E9:?8] pE E9:D >@>6?E[ J@F C62=:K6 E92E J@F 42?’E 5@ 2?JE9:?8[ =:<6 ?@E9:?8 56A6?5D @? J@F] tG6CJE9:?8 56A6?5D @? v@5] x 42?’E 5@ 2?JE9:?8 23@FE E96 H2C] x 42?’E 492?86 E96 D:EF2E:@?]”k^Am
Misha and Anna before the war in Ukraine.
Photo submitted
kAm|:D92 D2:5 E92E 96 8@E 324< E@ E96 DE2E6 @7 >:?5 7C@> H96? 9:D E9:C5 49:=5 H2D =J:?8 :? 7C@?E @7 9:> 2?5 96 4@F=5?’E 5@ 2?JE9:?8 E@ 96=A] w6 76=E 96=A=6DD]k^Am
kAm“Wx’>X ?@E 4@>A=2:?:?8[ 3FE D@>6E:>6D WxX H@F=5 =:<6 E@ ;FDE 8:G6 FA[” |:D92 D2:5]k^Am
kAmqFE |:D92 D2:5 96 F?56CDE2?5D E92E v@5 H@F=5 ?6G6C 8:G6 9:> D@>6E9:?8 E92E 9:D DEC6?8E9 4@F=5?’E 92?5=6]k^Am
kAmx? p>6C:42[ 96 5@6D?’E 766= =:<6 2 4@>A=6E6 9F>2?] w6 FD65 E@ ?@E C6=J @? 2?J@?6 :? =:76] qFE 96C6[ 96 5@6D] s6DA:E6 ?@E H2?E:?8 E@ C6=J @? A6@A=6[ 96 :D DE:== 8C2E67F= 7@C |2C4[ #64: 2?5 @E96CD H9@ 92G6 96=A65 9:> 2?5 9:D 72>:=Jj 96 ;FDE 5@6D?’E <?@H 9@H E@ 24E 2?5 2446AE E92E 96=A]k^Am
kAm$@>6E:>6D[ 96 3=2>6D 9:>D6=7 @C ;F586D 9:>D6=7 7@C ?@E 36:?8 2D AC6A2C65 E@ 4@>6 E@ p>6C:42] w6 766=D 96=A=6DD[ ECJ:?8 E@ F?56CDE2?5 6G6CJE9:?8 96 H2D?’E AC6A2C65 7@C] p??2 D2:5 5:776C6?46D =:<6 >62DFC6>6?ED 2C6 6G6? 92C5 E@ 86E 3642FD6 :E’D D@ 5:776C6?E 7C@> &<C2:?6]k^Am
kAmqFE[ |:D92 2?5 9:D 72>:=J 2C6 7:8FC:?8 :E @FE]k^Am
k9bmp }6H w@>6k^9bm
kAm“xE’D 2?@E96C >:C24=6[” p??2 D2:5] “w6C6[ E96 4=:>2E6 :D E96 G6CJ D2>6 4=:>2E6 H6 925 :? z92C<:G]” x? z92C<:G[ 9@H6G6C[ p??2 D2:5 :E 5@6D?’E C2:? 2D >F49]k^Am
kAm{:76 :? q@@?6 :D 2? 25;FDE>6?E[ 3FE p??2[ |:D92[ s2??J[ |2CJ 2?5 %6E:2?2 2C6 25;FDE:?8] k^Am
Neighbors and members of Marc and Reci’s church welcomed Misha to Boone.
Photo submitted
kAm~?6 25;FDE>6?E >256 62D:6C H2D D49@@= 7@C s2??J 2?5 |2CJ] (96? p??2 2?5 E96 C6DE @7 E96 72>:=J 2CC:G65 :? q@@?6 @? pAC:= g[ E96J H6C6 2E !2C<H2J $49@@= 2? 9@FC =2E6C] |2C4 D2:5 E96 DE277 2E !2C<H2J $49@@= 82E96C65 E96 7@FCE9 2?5 D:IE9 8C256CD E@86E96C 2?5 6IA=2:?65 H92E H2D 8@:?8 @? 2?5 E92E s2??J 2?5 |2CJ H@F=5 36 ;@:?:?8 E96> 7@C E96 D49@@= J62C]k^Am
kAm%96J DA64:7:42==J >6?E:@?65 9@H 8C62E !C:?4:A2= !2EEJ qF4<?6C H2D :? 96=A:?8 H:E9 E96 2CC2?86>6?ED 2?5 96=A:?8 |2CJ 2?5 s2??J 766= H6=4@>6] |2CJ 2?5 s2??J 2CC:G65 :? q@@?6 @? uC:52J 2?5 H6C6 6?C@==65 @? |@?52J]k^Am
Mary and Danny at Parkway School.
Photo submitted
kAm%96 25;FDE>6?E :D 2=D@ >256 62D:6C 3J D:>:=2C:E:6D |2C4 2?5 #64: 92G6 H:E9 p??2 2?5 |:D92] q@E9 #64: 2?5 |2C4 H6C6 >2CC:65 E96 D2>6 J62C 2D p??2 2?5 |:D92] q@E9 p??2 2?5 #64: H6C6 AC68?2?E 2E E96 D2>6 E:>6 7@C 3@E9 E96:C 7:CDE 2?5 D64@?5 49:=5C6?[ H9@ 2C6 6249 @?=J 2 >@?E9 2A2CE] %96J 2=D@ 92G6 E96 D2>6 G2=F6D =:<6 72>:=J[ 72:E9 2?5 65F42E:@?]k^Am
kAm“%96 D:>:=2C:E:6D 92G6 366? C62==J H:=5 3642FD6 H6 H6C6 4@>A=6E6 DEC2?86CD[” #64: D2:5]k^Am
kAm~? yF=J d[ p??2 2?5 E96 C6DE @7 E96 72>:=J >@G65 :?E@ 2 9@FD6 24C@DD E96 DEC66E 7C@> |2C4 2?5 #64:] (:E9 5@?2E:@?D 7C@> E96 4@>>F?:EJ[ E96J H6C6 23=6 E@ 7:== :E H:E9 6G6CJE9:?8 E96J ?66565]k^Am
kAm%92E 4@>>F?:EJ 2=D@ 42>6 @FE H96? |:D92 2CC:G65 :? q@@?6] }6:893@CD 2?5 >6>36CD 7C@> E96 49FC49 H6C6 H2:E:?8 E@ 8C66E |:D92 H:E9 &<C2:?:2? 7=28D 2?5 DA@CE:?8 E96 4@F?ECJ’D 4@=@CD]k^Am
Anna standing in the doorway of her new home.
Photo submitted
kAmq@@?6 2=D@ 92D D:>:=2C:E:6D E@ z92C<:G :? E96 7@C6DED — H9:49 E96J =@G6 — 2?5 @FE5@@C 24E:G:E:6D E92E q@@?6 92D] %96J’G6 366? EF3:?8[ <2J2<:?8 2?5 9:<:?8 2== 2C@F?5 E96 2C62]k^Am
kAm“q@@?6 :D E96 A6C764E A=246 7@C FD[” p??2 D2:5] “v@5 :D D@ 8@@5] w6 D6?E FD E@ E96 A6C764E A=246[ H9:49 C6>:?5D FD @7 9@>6]”k^Am
(0) comments
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.