Chapter 18: Bruce and Ukraine Verse 1 Bruce was always building something, A plan half-formed but meant to last, When the war broke out in Ukraine He didn’t watch it from the past. Phones were ringing, borders closing, Families torn and forced to flee, He started calling, asking, listening— “What would it take? What can it be?” Verse 2 Thirty-five lives crossed the ocean, Sponsored flights, no grand display, Names on lists and borrowed courage, Just finding one more way. No agency, no banner flying, Just people helping people through, A small idea turned into motion, Because someone said, “Yes, we’ll help too.” Verse 3 Early days in Warsaw station, Refugees with nowhere set, Bombed-out homes and sleepless faces He says he won’t forget. They asked him who had sent him there, Who signed the papers, cleared the way— A gift from George, given earlier, Had quietly paid the way. Chorus No speeches, no big declarations, No promise written down, Just showing up where it matters When the world breaks into sound. You don’t fix a war with music, You don’t heal it with a plan— But you stand where help is needed, And you do the best you can. Verse 4 The next year led him into Lviv, A seminary, cold stone walls, A borrowed room, a battered guitar, Hope echoing down the halls. He taught kids chords and broken strings, Visited wounded, orphans too, Every small act added up To something solid, something true. Verse 5 A concert in a pub one night, Screens lit up across the land, Players called in from everywhere— Costa Rica, Ukraine, the States—one band. The money went where children sleep, Where futures still can grow, And George watched quietly from afar, Proud of what his son chose to do. Final Chorus They asked him who had sent him to Warsaw, Who had signed his name to go, He said, “I went on my own accord— No one told me so.” No medals, ranks, or headlines, Just doing what he could A father proud, a son at work, Trying to make a difference
