Daily for the previous 12 months, Lynn Baxter has been writing letters to her son in a journal.
Cole Zelenco, her 21-year-old son from St. Catharines, Ont., died on April 21, 2023.
He was a junior sergeant and member of the Worldwide Legion’s 92nd Mechanised Brigade when he was killed whereas defending a significant provide route into Bakhmut in japanese Ukraine.
Baxter says she’s been writing to recollect him.
She’s additionally been on her personal mission to unfold his message.
“His message was that freedom is one thing that must be protected and all human dignity and security needs to be guarded,” she instructed CBC Hamilton on Sunday.
“We’re very, very pleased with him and his convictions and the mission he went on, although it’s a heartbreaking loss … Cole had a finely tuned sense of justice and robust ethical compass. He felt he wanted to do that, to assist defend Ukrainians, particularly weak ladies and youngsters.”
Contemporary Air12:48The second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine hits significantly near house for one St. Catharines mom whose son died whereas preventing for Ukraine.
Many lives have been affected within the two years because the Russian invasion of Ukraine. St. Catharines’ Lynn Baxter is remembering her son Cole Zelenco, who died final 12 months whereas preventing in Ukraine. She joined us to speak about his sacrifice.
Saturday marked two years since Russia launched a brand new army invasion in Ukraine. Folks throughout Canada, together with in Baxter in St. Catharines, attended rallies in assist of Ukraine and to honour those that died.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau signed a deal in Kyiv on Saturday committing Canada to a $3.02-billion safety help bundle for Ukraine.
“It is a second for us to each thank Ukraine and exhibit our solidarity,” Trudeau stated.
“As they stand and battle for his or her territorial integrity, their sovereignty, their language, their tradition, their very id and their proper to decide on their very own future, they’re additionally standing and preventing for the worldwide guidelines primarily based order and the ideas that underpin all of our democracies.”
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine says greater than 10,500 Ukrainian civilians have been killed and almost 20,000 injured because the begin of the battle.
The federal authorities says 221,231 Ukrainians got here to Canada below the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency journey program between March 17, 2022 and Jan. 27, 2024. Throughout the identical timeframe, it obtained 1,189,320 purposes for this system, 958,190 of which have been permitted.
Zelenco to be honoured with Ukrainian award
Baxter stated she prays Ukraine makes extra progress within the warfare. She stated she personally is aware of two different Canadians preventing in Ukraine.
“It’s a battle between good and evil,” she stated.
Baxter stated her son had no fast relations in Ukraine when he went to assist, however famous his great-grandfather was born there.
“When he realized of a few of the atrocities Ukraine was struggling, he grew to become fairly incensed,” she stated, including he served with the Canadian army for 4 years earlier than heading to Ukraine.
“He instructed his grandmother … I’m skilled, I’ve no spouse, I’ve no youngsters, it’s as much as me.”
“He turned 21 in a trench with an automated rifle. That was his birthday.”
Baxter stated Zelenco’s sister has began a Fb web page memorializing him, noting she has obtained messages about him saving different troopers in fight.
She additionally stated he’s set to obtain the Ukrainian Order for Braveness award for his bravery.
“He was a particular individual, his message is essential and it deserves to be listened to.”
This text is from from cbc.ca (CBC NEWS CANADA)