Classmates,
In the last few days several of our classmates have posted on Facebook a remarkable story that should be shared with all. It is about the courageous, selfless actions by our classmate, Dennis Otoshi (33rd CO). Dennis has been working as an RN in the San Francisco Bay area, and as the Ukranian invasion unfolded, he volunteered with the International Red Cross for assignment in Poland and Ukraine, in either a military or a civilian area. He ended up in Kyiv and has been there since around March 8th.
Below is an excerpt of an email Dennis sent to our classmate Greg Baur. Also, go to our class Facebook page for some pictures of Dennis, the residential building Dennis describes below, and a child’s report card blown from the building:
Hi Greg,
I am using my gmail because it seems to work better. I have been in Kyiv for four days now and I made my first house call yesterday. Attached you will find three photos of a residential building that was hit by a cruise missile at time 0500. Three confirmed dead, but the building was still too smoky and hot to search for bodies. Soviet era housing also was full of asbestos, so another danger.
Russians were just nuisance shelling until yesterday when I counted twenty-seven incoming artillery rounds or cruise missiles. When the cruise missiles are intercepted by air defenses, it makes a satisfying boom. I feel like I am in a WWII movie. Now I know how the USMC felt when the Navy abandoned them in Guadalcanal.
It is good to be a sand blower, since I make a small target. Russians shooting at everything with no regard for civilians. It is their way of war.
I intend to stay alive so that I can bear witness before God to these crimes against humanity.
Greg Baur is collecting and consolidating encouraging comments from our classmates to send to Dennis. Greg has consented to give you all his email so if any of you know Dennis and wish to send him any supporting comments, please go directly to Greg Baur at baurg@verizon.net. I know Dennis would enjoy hearing some encouraging words from some old friends.
Fair winds…
Glen
Glen Woods
President, USNA Class of 1978