Serhiy Marchenko, Business Development Director at Work.ua
12.29.2014 Translated by Voices of Ukraine and edited by Lisa Mariposa Recneps for VoU
An interesting observation on the road from Dnipropetrovsk to Kyiv. Many people are wearing camouflage. Soldiers are returning from the ATO [anti-terrorist operation zone] on the way to places of permanent deployment for their units. And do you know what is amazing? They are surprisingly modest. Literature describes numerous examples of soldiers’ behavior during war – from the Three Musketeers to books by witnesses to the wars in Chechnya. A man at war, who has seen the death of his comrades, who constantly finds himself between life and death, cannot objectively be an example of high morality. Drunkenness, looting, field wives, disregard for civilians – are standard in any war.
We managed to distinguish ourselves even here. I do not know, I’m sure there will be a witness to the inappropriate behavior by our servicemen, but personally I’ve seen a great many of our military over these past three days and I have never – not a single time !!! – have I seen even a hint of improper behavior. Because not just soldiers and heroes are fighting for us. The last Knights of Europe are fighting for us.
Video: My Knight’s Cross, song by Tartak
Lyrics, translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine:
The forest is breathing,
A bird on a branch is
Singing a song that pleases my ear …
I’ve been growing for a long time –
Have gone through goals
That temper the body and strengthen the soul …
The quiet dew
Will shake off the grass
With the shout of “Forward!,” and the friendly stomping of feet …
I found here
That which I sought,
I achieved glory and overcame my self!
CHORUS:
My Knight’s Cross –
My reward
For not having fallen, for not running away!
My Knight’s Cross –
A colorful adventure
That will last me a century!
My Knight’s Cross! …
The years flow by,
The swept up hair at my temples
Will turn them to snow.
And, through
the scars on my body,
My memory will capture everyone
Friends of mine
And enemies –
Whom I loved and whom I killed …
Maybe there was something
I couldn’t do,
But I didn’t destroy, didn’t sell, didn’t lose …
CHORUS:
My Knight’s Cross –
My reward
For not having fallen, for not running away!
My Knight’s Cross –
A colorful adventure
That will last me a century!
My Knight’s Cross! …
To those who died and to those who survived
I gratefully dedicate my words!
Let the enemy glance furtively with plundering eyes,
Let him growl – I’m not scared.
Who has grown roots, he will not break.
Who has a core, he will not bend over.
Love for one’s mother – is the best adviser.
Love of one’s homeland – is an idea of the heart.
Knight’s Cross – a distinction for the few –
Not always on the chest, but in actions and feats.
For those who became brave in battles.
For those who rose first in attacks.
To not betray the promised word –
[But] to tear with bare hands, and gnaw with one’s teeth!
There is a lot of filth and stagnation in the world,
But those who want to CAN remain pure …
You, our modern Knights, make our nation proud. You are more than soldiers, sailors or airmen. You embody the spirit of the Knights of history and remind us that those who, over the centuries, chose to be our defenders have done so with a noble heart and the willingness to sacrifice everything for our country and its people.
Serhiy Marchenko, Business Development Director at Work.ua
Voices of Ukraine 
Glory to Ukraine!
Glory to its Heroes!
Gene Panasenko
You, our modern Knights, make our nation proud. You are more than soldiers, sailors or airmen. You embody the spirit of the Knights of history and remind us that those who, over the centuries, chose to be our defenders have done so with a noble heart and the willingness to sacrifice everything for our country and its people.