In Washington, the US Ukrainian Activists (USUA Veterans Team) team took part for the first time in the large-scale Army Ten-Miler race, which annually brings together tens of thousands of participants - current and former US military personnel, their families and guests from different countries. The Ukrainian team was represented by war veteran Yuriy Tsyntylevych and former US military doctor Alan Cushell. Their participation in the marathon became a symbol of support for Ukrainian veterans and honoring the fallen heroes of the war.
This was reported by US Ukrainian Activists.
President of US Ukrainian Activists Nadiya Shaporynska said that the race route ran from the Pentagon through the streets of Washington and Arlington, past the historical monuments of the American capital.
“Our team consisted of five people, including several of our activists, Ukrainian veteran Yuriy Tsyntylevych, who is undergoing rehabilitation through sports, and an American, former military doctor Alan Cushell, who is 76 years old,” she said.
The participants ran in T-shirts with the inscription USUA Veterans Team and an image of Ukraine with Crimea, as well as the words “Run for Heroes.” According to Shaporynska, the race became not only a sporting event, but also a sign of unity and mutual support.
“When we were level with other participants, some of them shouted “Glory to Ukraine!” with a clear American accent. Of course, we responded “Glory to the Heroes!”,” the activist shared.
She emphasized that the participation of Ukrainians in such events has great symbolic significance – it is a way to remind the world of Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression and at the same time support veterans returning to a peaceful life.
“We are thinking about the possibility of including other Ukrainian servicemen who were wounded in the war in this type of rehabilitation in the future,” Shaporynska said.
In turn, the US Ukrainian Activists organization expressed gratitude to the US Army and American servicemen “for their courage, sacrifice and devotion to freedom,” and also thanked the Ukrainian defenders “for their steadfastness, indomitability and determination in the fight for their Motherland.”
Background
Veteran Yuriy Tsyntylevych is a retired senior sergeant, served in the 80th Airborne Assault Brigade, and participated in battles in Donbas, including in the defense of Luhansk airport. After the full-scale invasion began, he continued his service in the Omega Special Forces Unit of the National Guard of Ukraine, defending the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions. In 2022, he was discharged from service due to injuries and concussion and is currently undergoing active rehabilitation through running. At the end of October, Tsyntylevych will take part in another event - the 50th anniversary marathon of the US Marine Corps.
The Army Ten-Miler is one of the most popular 10-mile (16 km) races in the United States, which takes place every October in the District of Columbia and the suburb of Arlington. The event is organized by the US Army and traditionally attracts tens of thousands of participants, becoming a symbol of mutual support between military personnel, veterans and citizens.
Photo: US Ukrainian Activists.
Author: Danylo Pievchev