Ukraine's Frontlines: A Veteran's Mission. Memorial Day Special Episode From Ukrainian War

Stephan Piscano Podcast

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Dr. Patrick Garnieri, a Vietnam combat veteran, recalls the moment in 2022 when watching Ukraine's invasion triggered memories of facing Russian-made weapons in Vietnam. Something deep within him knew he had to help. What began as a mission to offer de-escalation training has evolved into a remarkable humanitarian effort spanning fifteen deployments to Ukraine's war zone – all funded from his own pocket.
With four medals from the Ukrainian military, Garnieri has become a trusted figure on the frontlines. His team trains soldiers in leadership skills, counsels survivors of war trauma, and builds support networks for women who suffered sexual violence as prisoners of war. His firsthand accounts paint a vivid picture of a conflict more brutal and complex than what reaches American news broadcasts.
The war has transformed dramatically over Garnieri's three years of deployments. What began with conventional tactics has evolved into a high-tech drone war where being visible from above means near-certain death. He describes sleeping in rat-infested areas near decomposing bodies, working through pneumonia, and facing direct missile strikes on locations where he had just been staying. Yet despite these horrors, he speaks most passionately about the extraordinary Ukrainian resilience he witnesses daily.
From an 82-year-old former English teacher declaring his willingness to fight, to soldiers returning to battle despite multiple serious wounds, Garnieri shares stories of ordinary Ukrainians making extraordinary sacrifices. When asked why he continues these dangerous missions, his answer reveals the profound impact of witnessing such courage: "If you don't feel something when you're among them, I don't know what kind of person you'd be that you aren't touched by this and feel a sense of loyalty, commitment that you should sacrifice more."
As Russians slowly advance and Ukraine faces a critical personnel shortage, Garnieri believes the conflict's outcome may ultimately depend on economics – Russia's ability to sustain war costs versus international support for Ukraine. His message this Memorial Day resonates with urgency: "Ukraine goes, Poland could be next... Putin is not somebody to take lightly." Connect with the Foreign Directorate through NDTC Center to support their vital humanitarian work.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Dr. Patrick Garnieri (00:00:00)

2. First Deployment to Ukraine (00:05:07)

3. PTSD Training for Ukrainians (00:11:23)

4. Daily Dangers on the Frontlines (00:21:17)

5. Witnessing Ukrainian Courage (00:31:23)

6. Brotherhood Amid War's Horrors (00:41:52)

7. Current War Situation and Strategy (00:47:29)

8. Memorial Day Reflections & Closing (00:57:56)