As we were walking through Vancouver International Airport yesterday, a contingent of Ukrainian veterans passed by, heading home from the Invictus Games here in British Columbia.

Clumping along on artificial limbs, rolling in wheelchairs, heading home, though they probably already knew that Trump and Musk were readying to abandon Ukraine and throw them to the Russian invaders.

Their silent, strong, endurance made me stand tall and shout, “Слава Україні!,” or Glory to Ukraine. It’s the Ukrainian national salute, known as a symbol of Ukrainian sovereignty and resistance to foreign aggression. It is often accompanied by the response “Героям слава,” or To the Heroes — Glory!

It was a tiny gesture, but they looked at us and roared back “Героям слава.”

A tiny gesture, but I hope it had some hope in it. . . .

Never forget that Ukraine did not ask for this fight, for over 3 years it has always been a blatantly illegal Russian invasion. We cannot let the rising tide of right-wing totalitarianism rewrite history.