• Advocates return to U.S. for political support through petition signatures

Star Valley welcomes guests from throughout the world in all seasons of the year. While most of those guests visit for entertainment and tourism, one group of unsung heroes, who find their home under attack from Russian aggression, visited Afton on February 14 as part of a private diplomatic mission offering understanding, partnership and respect.

RELATED: WITNESS TRUE HEROISM IN UKRAINE –

Representatives of Novovoronstsovka County, Ukraine brought a presentation about their experiences in defending their freedom, families and home from Russian occupation as Ukraine endures its fourth year since Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory. On a mission to build bridges and create relationships of trust with Americans, the delegation is hoping to accurately inform the world public and request political support for their cause.

Margret Ellwanger, founder and CEO of the global humanitarian effort, forPEACE, and resident of Star Valley, explained her purpose in hosting the delegation and bringing them to Afton. “We wanted to share with you some of the ordinary, unsung heroes of Ukraine, and in return, our delegation of Ukrainians got to feel the spirit of the good people of Star Valley. Thank you! We are grateful for our caring community that is open to meeting like-minded people from other parts of the world. It strengthens our common humanity.”

During the presentation, Margret and her daughter, Britta, who sponsored and assisted with translation for the delegates in their travels, shared the story of 20-year-old Dane Partridge, a Southeast Idaho man with ancestry in Star Valley as a descendent of Evan and Bessie Call, who fell on the frontlines of the Ukrainian conflict.

Partridge was so converted to the Ukrainian cause that he determined to volunteer his service in the Ukrainian military, in the end, giving his life for the cause. Throughout his service there and upon his death, Partridge wore a backpack with a scriptural reference printed on the back. “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” (Alma 46:12, The Book of Mormon).

The brotherhood demonstrated in Partridge’s story touched many in attendance and inspired a sacred trust that increased throughout the evening’s conversation as folks exchanged questions, information and goodwill.

Josh Chandler, City Attorney of West Jordan, Utah, accompanied the Novovorontsovka delegates on their visit to Afton after facilitating a three-day series of meetings in various Utah locations. Ukraine holds a special place in his heart, and he was very pleased with the reception that the Ukrainians received.

“It was very moving to see how people responded when Star Valley’s connection to Ukraine was pointed out because of the heroic service of Dane Partridge,” said Chandler.  “I loved talking to many people about what they can do to help, and I know that people here are always ready to help a neighbor. I loved seeing the way that caring attitude extends all the way to our neighbors in Ukraine.”

Britta Ellwanger, who serves as Project Director with forPEACE, felt that two truths emerged through the connection that was forged between Star Valley and the Novovorontsovka delegates. First, “Ukraine is withstanding Russia’s full-scale invasion because everyday people in local communities are stepping up heroically to meet constantly changing needs. The love, loyalty, and irreplaceable local knowledge of ordinary citizens is a power capable of more than survival; it is capable of making communities stronger and better, even under the most atrocious circumstances. The second truth is that “real and lasting diplomacy happens when ordinary people come together and create space to listen and talk with one another. What unfolded at the Afton Civic Center between Star Valley and Novovorontsovka residents was just as important as any meeting between world leaders. In fact, it achieved something world leaders cannot. Only by coming together as ordinary people can a complex invasion a world away become personal, human, and even local.”

“We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Dockstaders for hosting this event,” Britta continued.  “Their example of people-focused politics and goodwill is inspiring, and we thank everyone in Star Valley for the connection we made together. We built something extraordinary!”

When asked how Star Valley can help their cause, the delegates explained that, though financial help is welcome, the most valuable support would be political support for Ukraine. Margret and Britta encourage the delegation’s new friends in Star Valley to “learn about Ukraine-related bills in Congress and the simple steps of how to reach out to elected officials in favor of those bills.”

Margaret returns to the U.S. next week to meet with Wyoming’s three Congressional Delegates during the Ukraine Action Summit April 19-22 in Washington DC. Reaching out to Star Valley Common Ground, a local organization in support of political action that supports humanitarian initiatives,  she has asked for help collecting signatures to present to Senators John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis, and Representative Harriet Hageman “to demonstrate the support that Wyoming people want to see provided to Ukraine,” said Stephnaie Henderson, who represents Common Ground.  “At the presentation of the Ukranian delegation in Afton on February 14, when asked how our community members could help, Margret very passionately explained that what Ukraine needs most is American voters urging their elected officials to support Ukraine.”

To learn more about the work of forPEACE in Ukraine, visit forpeace.us.

To add your name to the list of signatures that Margret will carry to the Ukraine Action Summit next week, please visit https://q2x17d2l.forms.app/add-your-name-and-stand-ukraine-1-1