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Michael Yon: Hunting Al-Qaida, Part 1 of 3
Read it all, of course.I'm excerpting one passage about an American born in the wrong place: Before our Bradleys roll, a 20 year-old U.S. soldier from Kiev, Ukraine sees my camera and begins telling me about a Russian journalist who had come here some months ago. . . . The soldier was Stanislav Mykhaylichenko. Stanislavs father had fought in Afghanistan, but never talked to his son about it. Stanislavs mother left his father in Kiev, where he lives today, taking her two children with her to New York. Stanislav was in Manhattan with his mom and sister when the jets crashed into the World Trade Center towers. Although he was only 14, Stanislav said he knew that military service was in his future. He joined the American Army and has been fighting in Baqubah for about 11 months. Hes 20 now; but like many young veterans he seems twice that. Its almost like talking with a 40-year-old man, although glimpses of Stanislavs youth shine through at the oddest moments, like when he mentioned hell soon be 21 and allowed to drink. . . . Posted by: Mike 2007-09-12 |
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