“One must be aware of how fragile freedom can be, and how easily it can be taken by others. People must look to the past to be able to appreciate the freedom they currently possess.” – M. Mumalashvi, is the commander of the Georgian Legion in Ukraine fighting Russian invasion.

He relates how at the age of 14, he volunteered and joined Georgia’s military forces that fought Russia when the latter invaded Georgia, his native land, in 1992. He fought again as a volunteer against the Russian invasion of Chechnya in 1994-96. He fought again against Russia when hostilities resumed in 2008 between Russia and Georgia. In between those wars he finished his education in Paris and Georgia. He moved to Ukraine to help in its Euromaidan democracy movement. He now commands Georgian volunteers who have been fighting the Russian invasion since 2014.

Why does he continue to fight – since the age of 14 – and upgrade himself with further education in between his involvement in these wars where Russia is the aggressor of neighboring states?

As he said in an interview, he needs to continue fighting, so that the day will come when his sons no longer have to fight in a war for their freedom.

Father, forgive us for not seeing that the struggle for the future generation – to preserve their freedom and dignity – is an unceasing one. May we see that our freedoms are precious, much of which has been degraded, and the remainder can just so easily be lost because of our indifference. May we never take lightly any of Your gifts. Give us both wisdom and courage to fight for Your will of justice and righteousness in this nation. Amen.