A poem by Walter Wintle reads: “Life’s battles don’t always go / To the stronger or faster man / But sooner or later the man who wins / Is the man who thinks he can!” That’s why it’s important in war to keep a story about your own success in mind, even if you’re the underdog. I heard a story from a soldier who served with a guy who swears he was there. A lot of stories in the Army are like this. Supposedly, there was once a training exercise that pitted a company of National Guard infantry in a simulated battle against a company of highly trained warriors from the 101st Airborne Division. I love the National Guard, but I’d bet on active-duty guys. In this National Guard unit, though, there was a wild kid named Spc. Burkin, who was beyond caring about standard military protocol. “The best strategy is no strategy,” said the guardsman. “The 101st are experts in the art of military tactics. All we have is chaos.”
So, Burkin volunteered for the craziest job. He stood facing the woods at the side of the road upon which the 101st soldiers approached, pretending to urinate. When they spotted him, Burkin feigned surprise and ran away over a hill. Young, eager 101st soldiers pursued, leading a bold charge … right into the kill zone of the National Guard ambush.
That was training, years ago. Now, the good people of Ukraine face a real-world battle for their lives and freedom against numerically superior Russian forces. The news and social media bring us stories of brave Ukrainian resistance against the Russian invaders.
The “Ghost of Kyiv” is a Ukrainian fighter pilot who, according to viral social media reports, shot down six Russian jets. That’d be a spectacular feat for any pilot, especially one whose air force the Russians are said to outnumber by about 1,200 aircraft. Snake Island is a Ukrainian outpost in the Black Sea that was approached by a Russian ship. “This is a Russian warship. I ask you to lay down your arms and surrender to avoid bloodshed and unnecessary deaths. Otherwise, you will be bombed.” The Ukrainian troops replied with bold last words, “Russian warship, go f*** yourself!” (By the latest telling as of this writing, after they were believed killed for several days, it turns out they actually survived and are in Russian custody. Maybe.) A Ukrainian man removed an old (and therefore less stable) landmine from where it had been deployed in southern Ukraine and moved it with his bare hands for redeployment, all while casually smoking a cigarette. An old Ukrainian woman put seeds in a Russian soldier’s pocket, telling him that at least then his corpse would do some good.
There are dozens of stories of Ukrainian heroic resistance, just like these. And like my friend’s story of bold U.S. Army Spc. Burkin, who knows if they are true? A Google search brings up a bunch of American and British news articles asking whether or not the ghost ace is real. There are conflicting reports about the ultimate fate of the Ukrainian soldiers on Snake Island. But, as usual, the news is missing the point.
All of the stories are true, even the ones that are made up. Right now, all the people of Ukraine are like the lesser trained, underequipped Army specialist who doesn’t care about military protocol. Chaos is their ally. When President Joe Biden offered his favorite tactic of retreat to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian leader replied, “I need ammunition, not a ride.” These are more than words. Zelensky is writing a story. A story, like the others I’ve mentioned, that people want and need to believe. Never underestimate the power of story. Ukraine will win! To that end go the prayers of the free world.
*Some names and call signs in this story may have been changed due to operational security or privacy concerns. Trent Reedy served as a combat engineer in the Iowa National Guard from 1999 to 2005, including a tour of duty in Afghanistan.
