Young American man volunteers to fight in Ukraine
(13 Mar 2022) While more and more people are arriving by train to Pzemysl, Poland, after fleeing the war in Ukraine, a young American man, with no military experience, says he is heading in the opposite direction. Tristan Lombardo, 22, from Evansville, Illinois, said he is willing to make the "ultimate sacrifice," to battle the Russian invasion in Ukraine. "There's only one way to end the fighting, and that's to be willing to fight and die. If we just give up, then the Russians are just going to have their way with it," he said. Lombardo said he got the idea after watching the news and reading about the war. He said a friend with a military background, sent him a group chat of people in Ukraine training and preparing to fight. He contacted the group over the Telegram messaging app who sent him an address where he could join them. "I have no direct relations to Ukrainians, but I feel like, I don't know, I feel like it's the right thing to do, and that's the best way to get your passions, in life," he said. Lombardo said he had brought medical supplies, survival gear and, as he calls it, "spirit". He told his parents he was coming to Poland to do volunteer work but he didn't tell them he was going to fight. "I'm nervous about it, I'm not going to lie," he said. "Obviously, there's going to be nerves with it, but I'm not, I don't fear it, I guess. And I've kind of already talked to everyone at home and made peace with everyone. So if the ultimate sacrifice comes, I know everyone that I love is safe and will be OK." While waiting to depart, Lombardo helped a local charity distribute meals to refugees arriving at the station. He paced back and forth, picking up the bagged lunches before handing them out with a smile. Lombardo said he plans to get going as soon as Sunday but may leave as late as Tuesday. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
