One Team – One Community

Ukrainian military personnel and veterans participated in the Soldier Field 10 memorial run in Chicago.

On May 23, 2026, the legendary Soldier Field stadium in Chicago hosted the Soldier Field 10 memorial run – one of the city's most revered sporting events dedicated to the memory of servicemen who gave their lives for the freedom of their country. This year, special guests of the event were ten active Ukrainian servicemen who arrived in the United States from the front lines to remind the world that Russia's war against Ukraine continues daily, and Ukrainian warriors continue to defend the freedom not only of their state but of the entire democratic world...

The delegation was led by retired Major General Volodymyr Havrylov, former Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine and director of the charitable foundation "Veteran's Ten," which has been involved in the rehabilitation and support of wounded Ukrainian veterans for many years. Ukrainian military personnel and veterans have been participating in the Soldier Field 10 for the ninth consecutive year with the support of the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, symbolizing solidarity between Ukraine and the United States, a shared experience of fighting for freedom, military service, and remembrance of fallen heroes.

"We are proud to participate in the Soldier Field 10 to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to America and Ukraine, those who fought for freedom. We are sincerely grateful to the organizers for inviting our Ukrainian military and Major General Volodymyr Havrylov to participate in honoring five fallen Ukrainian heroes during the opening ceremony," emphasized Vera Eliyashevskaya, co-chair of the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International.

A special place in the event's program is traditionally held by the Circle of Remembrance, a solemn ceremony during which participants name their relatives, friends, and comrades who gave their lives for freedom. For the Ukrainian delegation, it was a great honor to join this event. Retired Major General Volodymyr Havrylov paid tribute to Mykhailo Yavorsky with the call sign "Chicago." Ukrainian veteran Yuriy Tsintilevych dedicated his run to the memory of Senior Sailor Roman Bukal. Participants of the ten-kilometer distance also honored the memory of Staff Sergeant Ruslan Borovyk, Colonel Oleksandr Dovhach, and Lieutenant Oleksandr Chub.

Separately, within the event, Mykhailo Yavorsky was honored on the Tribute Mile. A commemorative poster with his name was installed here, and the Hero's mother, Maria Yavorska, sister Zoryana, and friends joined the honor guard and held the American flag. Mykhailo Yavorsky was a U.S. Army veteran and volunteer who died on May 25, 2023, in battle for Ukraine.

Symbolically, the finish of the run took place at Soldier Field – an arena whose name translates as "Field of the Soldier." It was here that the memory of the fallen united Americans and Ukrainians in a shared respect for those who defend freedom.

During the ceremonies, Major General Volodymyr Havrylov was also presented with the United States flag as a sign of respect for the struggle of the Ukrainian people and the sacrifices of Ukrainian military personnel and veterans.

Among the participants of the run was veteran Yuriy Tsintilevych, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation after severe combat injuries sustained during the defense of Ukraine. In Chicago, he completed the Soldier Field 10 distance as a symbol of the resilience of the Ukrainian warrior even after the front.

The delegation also included Lieutenant Colonel Andriy Savenko of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, a multiple world and European champion in military-sport all-around and combat jiu-jitsu. In 2014–2015, he carried out combat missions as part of the 79th Air Assault Brigade, participated in special operations behind enemy lines, and faced the full-scale Russian invasion with weapons in hand in the first hours of the war.

Volodymyr Havrylov is convinced that sports help veterans return to a full life.

"Many start with short distances and eventually conquer even marathons. Physical exertion and the support of comrades restore not only the body but also the soul," he emphasizes.

Particularly touching for the Ukrainian community was the commemoration of Mykhailo Yavorsky – a Ukrainian from Chicago who voluntarily returned to Ukraine after the start of the full-scale war and died in battle in the east of the country. His story became a symbol of sacrifice and responsibility to the Motherland. When thousands of people were leaving Ukraine in the early days of the invasion, he returned to defend his native land.

"Not everyone is ready to leave a comfortable life in the United States and voluntarily go to the front. For us, this is a great example of sacrifice," noted General Havrylov.

During the visit, the Ukrainian delegation visited the Ukrainian National Museum, where they were hosted by archivist Halyna Parasyuk. A warm conversation and acquaintance with historical archives became a kind of therapy for many participants after what they experienced in the war. Later, the veterans visited the Ukrainian Institute of Modern Art, where Olena Smolynets conducted a tour.

A particularly touching meeting took place with the students of St. Nicholas School at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Chicago. The children prepared a concert program for the Ukrainian defenders: they performed Ukrainian songs, recited poems, and expressed words of gratitude to the warriors for their courage and sacrifice. In the children's voices, there was love for Ukraine, and in the eyes of the veterans, tears appeared more than once. For many military personnel, this meeting was a reminder of their own children and for whom the struggle continues today. The sincerity of young Ukrainians, born or raised far from the Motherland, became another testament to the fact that Ukrainian identity lives and strengthens in new generations. At the end of the meeting, the children presented the guests with handmade cards and charms, and the defenders sincerely thanked the students and teachers for the support that warms hearts even far from the front.

A particularly meaningful meeting took place at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Andrew in Bloomingdale – one of the important centers of Ukrainian memory in America. Here, the Ukrainian delegation visited a memorial complex dedicated to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, victims of the Holodomor, and Ukrainian and American veterans. During the solemn ceremony, military personnel, veterans, and community representatives laid flowers at the monuments, honoring with a moment of silence all those who gave their lives for the freedom of Ukraine and the United States. A joint prayer for the fallen heroes and peace in Ukraine became a particularly touching moment of the meeting, uniting generations of Ukrainians on both sides of the ocean. We thank the head of the parish council, Ivan Yaresko, and the American veterans and community for the warm welcome.

A separate part of the program was the laying of wreaths at the grave of Mykhailo Yavorsky and at the burial site of Ukrainian writer Oles Babiy – the author of the song "We Were Born in a Great Hour," which became one of the symbols of the modern Ukrainian military.

The Day of Vyshyvanka was particularly special for the guests. On the first day of their stay in Chicago, the Ukrainian clothing salon Lana's Vyshyvanky gifted the military with vyshyvankas, symbols of Ukrainian identity and a memory of home. The military donned national attire, demonstrating unity with Ukrainians around the world. The day began with a broadcast on UA Chicago radio, hosted by Dmytro Halan. They talked about supporting veterans, the activities of the Chicago-Kyiv Sister Cities organization, and the Heritage Foundation of the First Federal Savings Bank "Certainty." 

Later, the guests visited the Museum of Science and Industry, took a river tour of Chicago, and met with the new Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago, Kostyantyn Vorona, and his wife Alina, who supported the Ukrainian athletes during the run.

Throughout the three days, people who helped organize this visit were alongside the military: Father Mykola Buryadnyk from the parish of St. Joseph the Betrothed, Natalia Boivka – a volunteer of the charitable organization Revived Soldiers Ukraine, the Consul General of Ukraine in Chicago Kostyantyn Vorona, Vera Eliyashevskaya, volunteers, representatives of the Heritage Foundation, and dozens of concerned members of the Ukrainian community. The organizers and partners of the visit were the Kyiv Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, the "Veteran's Ten" Charitable Foundation, the "Spring!" Charitable Foundation, Revived Soldiers Ukraine, and the Ukrainian Running Club Chicago. The project was implemented with the support of the Ukrainian defense technology developer Infozahyst and the Heritage Foundation of the First Federal Savings Bank "Certainty."

After the memorial events in Chicago, the Ukrainian military watched Oleksandr Usyk's fight together, and the visit program concluded with an informal stop at the iconic house from the movie "Home Alone," which has long become a recognizable symbol for several generations of Ukrainians. We express our sincere gratitude to the "Velur" restaurant and its hosts for the warm and hospitable reception of Ukrainian military personnel and veterans during their stay in Chicago. In the cozy atmosphere of the establishment, our defenders were able to feel true Ukrainian warmth and the support of people who, far from the Motherland, continue to preserve Ukrainian traditions and help Ukraine. Such meetings provide a sense of unity, family, and gratitude for serving Ukraine.

Special thanks are addressed to the "Magic Jug" restaurant. Thanks to the care of the staff and Ukrainian hospitality, our defenders felt that the Ukrainian community in Chicago is a large family that remembers, supports, and honors those who defend Ukraine's freedom today.

Three days almost without rest – meetings, events, hugs, prayers, and words of support. On Sunday, the Ukrainian community gathered at the Church of St. Joseph the Betrothed for a joint prayer before the delegation's return to Ukraine.

Among the delegation participants were doctors of science and philosophers, engineers and specialists in unmanned technologies, world champions in martial arts, instructors, and warriors who were among the first to introduce FPV drones at the front. Each of them has their own story of courage and service to Ukraine.

Someone completed the distance on a prosthetic limb, returning to the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine after being wounded and continuing to clear Ukrainian land. Someone carried the Ukrainian flag with a list of all their brigade's comrades, of whom only two remained alive. They ran together with those who will forever remain in the ranks.

On the flag of the Military Intelligence of Ukraine, which the veterans left as a memento to the community, was written the Latin phrase: Oculi et Aures Civitatis – "Eyes and ears of the state." This is a symbol of those who are the first to see danger, obtain vital information, and help the state make the right decisions. Their work often remains invisible, but it is thanks to it that Ukraine sees further, hears more, and becomes stronger.

A few hours after the program ended, the plane was to return the Ukrainian warriors home – to where the freedom of Ukraine, Europe, and the entire democratic world is fought for every day.

And everyone who said goodbye to them in Chicago repeated one wish: "Return alive. Return with Victory."

Glory to Ukraine!