 In this War Artisans Put Their Art to the Side to Keep Soldiers Warm in the Trenches
Anyone following my posts from Ukraine knows that Ukrainians are a hardworking and faithful group. Today we see this in stark relief through two short videos about Vinnytsia’s master blacksmith Roman and his American apprentice Ben who we first met making “staples” to keep logs together in the trenches. Beyond Bucha - The Forge (Staples) This Good Friday it seems fitting to show how the war has changed so much for the faithful in Ukraine. In this case we see how a tremendous artisan like Roman has moved from creating exquisite metal work for churches to making trench furnaces for soldiers from scrap metal. Next, we feature Roman’s village church (Ukrainian Orthodox) where we marvel at the glorious metalwork from his Forge. It amazes me how anyone can do such things, but as I found out this is just the beginning of what they do. Or used to do anyway. Ben Hoerber from Lake Worth Beach, FL narrates these pieces. Ben packed up his van last summer and shipped it to Belgium whereupon he drove it to Ukraine to help in any ways possible. He found Roman and the Forge and has been helping produce these furnaces and other items for front line troops ever since. These grass roots efforts keep Ukraine in the fight and exemplify the Ukrainian Spirit. Roman and his family will be producing these items until the war is won. All at no charge, like countless Ukrainians – and their supporters - inside and outside of Ukraine. Hard work, patriotism, faith. These are also American values, of course. Religious freedom is at the heart of Ukraine’s war for independence – as it was in America’s quest for its religious freedoms going back to the Pilgrims. Let Ukraine’s faithful remind us of who we are as we all pray together this weekend.
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 A Blacksmith in Vinnytsia and his American Apprentice By Steve Richards “Thank God for technology” is a statement that means so much in Ukraine right now. From naval drones that are helping feed the world - and Ukraine’s economy - by decimating Russia’s navy, to a blacksmith in Vinnytsia. Ukraine is a high-tech country in so many ways, and their innovations on the battlefield, using the mish mash of NATO weapons they’ve received, are schooling the west on how vulnerable Russia’s army is. But to a blacksmith technology means something else altogether as we see in this latest short video. Here we are introduced to “The Forge” where they make “staples” to keep trenches intact. To a blacksmith and soldiers on the frontline trying to survive the winter, technology comes down to bending and putting points on small sections of rebar through sheer force. The technology? A press and a gas fire. A big improvement over old blacksmithing technology which came down to a hammer, an anvil, and a bellows like we see in old westerns. As we see in the video, staples are produced by the hundreds by two men in close quarters surrounded by scrap metal and other tools. Work that at one time would take nine brawny guys pounding all day for the same output. By the way, this is the first bit of video – first of three from the “Forge” – that will find its way into our new documentary Beyond Bucha - the third film in the Trek to Bucha series. My friend Ben Hoerber from Lake Worth Beach, FL is blacksmith Roman’s apprentice of sorts. Ben packed up his van last summer and shipped it to Belgium whereupon he drove it to Ukraine to help in any ways possible. He had begun studying Ukrainian more than a year before as he knew where he had to be. In his quest to do all that he could to help soldiers on the front lines, he found Roman and the blacksmith’s family whom we briefly see in the video as well.
It was Ben who gave us the quote I began with. Turns out technology is relative but one thing’s for sure, Ukraine needs more of it – so much more. Which is one thing America has plenty of – and all Ukraine is asking for. High tech weapons and ammo for them. As President Zelensky is so famously remembered for: “I need ammunition, not a ride.” It is important to note that grass roots efforts throughout Ukraine is what is keeping Ukraine in the fight as much as anything else. Their Spirit is what makes them certain they will keep their independence. It is what has convinced the world that this David can take down their Goliath. To give an idea of how steadfast Ukrainians are: Roman has decided not to shave until they win. And a bottle of wine I brought as a gift to the host as we celebrated a village Christmas is still sitting on a shelf until victory. No matter how long it takes, the blacksmith and his family won’t be drinking. Nor will they be making anything but staples, furnaces, and other items for the front. As we’ll see in future videos these are artisans whose beautiful ironwork is seen throughout the area in local churches and elsewhere. But until the war is won they will be using their technology – and their labor - for the war effort. No more beautiful items until their work is done. All at no charge by the way. Like countless Ukrainians – and their supporters - inside and outside of Ukraine. |
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