Serving Those Who Served
The Lexington Veterans Association brings veterans and community members together in fellowship
to be informed and inspired at our monthly speaker series.
to be informed and inspired at our monthly speaker series.
The Lexington Veterans have returned to
Cary Memorial Library!
Attend in person or via Zoom.
Cary Memorial Library!
Attend in person or via Zoom.
Coming on March 13, 2023:
"Roots of the Ukrainian War"
Presented by Leonid Kondratiuk, retired US Army General and Military Historian
Join us for our next presentation live at Cary Library and via Zoom webinar! It's free and open to the public. If you are watching via Zoom, register here to receive a Zoom link.
BG Leonid Kondratiuk
When Russia marched on Kyiv in February 2022, public opinion assumed the Russian juggernaut would roll over the Ukrainian forces in a few days. One year later, the sides are stalemated with many observers declaring that Ukraine holds the upper hand. How has this happened?
Retired US Army Brigadier General and military historian Leonid Kondratiuk will discuss the factors that have made this once impossible situation now possible: Ukraine’s independence after 1500 years of servitude; the superb Ukrainian military, totally rebuilt and redesigned; and Russia’s strategic and operational misjudgments that have shattered the myth of Russian military superiority.
Ukraine has existed since 800 A.D., but has only been an independent nation since 1991. Ukraine has been mainly dominated by Russia and Poland. In 1933, Joseph Stalin seized the national wheat harvest and sold it to the West. Four million Ukrainians died of starvation as a result. During World War II, Hitler planned to annihilate the population and settle Germans there to grow wheat on the fertile soil. As a result of conscription into the German or Soviet armies, starvation, or other war casualties, ten million Ukrainians died in World War II.
Immediately upon declaring independence, Ukraine sought a military partnership with the US. The National Guard was tasked with coordinating this relationship. A fluent Ukrainian speaker and ethnic Ukrainian, BG Kondratiuk played a key role over many years in helping Ukraine create a superbly trained, modern day military.
The Ukrainian army had many challenges to overcome. They had no dedicated budget. They were training on the Soviet model - too many officers, too many civilians, and no NCO Corps. “No matter how well thought out the orders are, decisions are made on the ground, at the moment,” says BG Kondratiuk. “Because there was no understanding of this basic doctrine, no one was empowered to make a decision in real time.” When the Donbas was invaded and occupied in 2015, Ukraine concluded their army needed reforming from the ground up. They turned once more to the US National Guard, went to work, and the results are evident.
According to BG Kondratiuk, this war has exposed the weaknesses of the Russian forces in a way never seen before. In addition to the lack of an NCO Corps and officers with no decision-making authority, the Russian army relies on one-year draftees, guaranteeing a cycle of poorly trained troops. Their training relies on harsh discipline, physical punishment, hazing and humiliation, resulting in low morale and lack of unit trust and cohesion. Young recruits are not told the truth about the situation they will be facing. Five different generals are operating in a theatre with no coordination or unified command. The army now uses second generation tanks, having run out of their famed T90 tanks. Troops are poorly fed and clothed. Every platoon has two officers, a commander, and a political commissar, muddying the leadership. “It’s a textbook failure”, he sums up.
Although disappointed in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s initial preparations, BG Kondratiuk gives him the highest marks for his conduct of the war. “He woke up quickly. I compare him to Abraham Lincoln, our greatest commander in chief, who was a better general than his generals. Zelensky realizes that he has a combined strategic, operational, and international audience. He has become a great leader despite his complete lack of experience.”
After serving two years as a field artillery officer upon graduating from The Citadel, BG Kondratiuk joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard as Military Historian. Soon after, his talents were needed in Washington, DC at the National Guard Bureau. He worked as Senior Military Historian for 20 years, taking time out for tours as faculty member at the Army War College and Public Affairs Officer. He retired at the rank of Colonel in 1999 and was promoted to Brigadier General in 2007. In retirement, BG Kondratiuk speaks often about the situation in Ukraine and communicates regularly with family members there. A member of the National Lancers and a skilled horseman, he plays the role of Paul Revere each year on Patriots’ Day and rides into Lexington on horseback to spread the alarm of the approaching British troops.
Retired US Army Brigadier General and military historian Leonid Kondratiuk will discuss the factors that have made this once impossible situation now possible: Ukraine’s independence after 1500 years of servitude; the superb Ukrainian military, totally rebuilt and redesigned; and Russia’s strategic and operational misjudgments that have shattered the myth of Russian military superiority.
Ukraine has existed since 800 A.D., but has only been an independent nation since 1991. Ukraine has been mainly dominated by Russia and Poland. In 1933, Joseph Stalin seized the national wheat harvest and sold it to the West. Four million Ukrainians died of starvation as a result. During World War II, Hitler planned to annihilate the population and settle Germans there to grow wheat on the fertile soil. As a result of conscription into the German or Soviet armies, starvation, or other war casualties, ten million Ukrainians died in World War II.
Immediately upon declaring independence, Ukraine sought a military partnership with the US. The National Guard was tasked with coordinating this relationship. A fluent Ukrainian speaker and ethnic Ukrainian, BG Kondratiuk played a key role over many years in helping Ukraine create a superbly trained, modern day military.
The Ukrainian army had many challenges to overcome. They had no dedicated budget. They were training on the Soviet model - too many officers, too many civilians, and no NCO Corps. “No matter how well thought out the orders are, decisions are made on the ground, at the moment,” says BG Kondratiuk. “Because there was no understanding of this basic doctrine, no one was empowered to make a decision in real time.” When the Donbas was invaded and occupied in 2015, Ukraine concluded their army needed reforming from the ground up. They turned once more to the US National Guard, went to work, and the results are evident.
According to BG Kondratiuk, this war has exposed the weaknesses of the Russian forces in a way never seen before. In addition to the lack of an NCO Corps and officers with no decision-making authority, the Russian army relies on one-year draftees, guaranteeing a cycle of poorly trained troops. Their training relies on harsh discipline, physical punishment, hazing and humiliation, resulting in low morale and lack of unit trust and cohesion. Young recruits are not told the truth about the situation they will be facing. Five different generals are operating in a theatre with no coordination or unified command. The army now uses second generation tanks, having run out of their famed T90 tanks. Troops are poorly fed and clothed. Every platoon has two officers, a commander, and a political commissar, muddying the leadership. “It’s a textbook failure”, he sums up.
Although disappointed in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s initial preparations, BG Kondratiuk gives him the highest marks for his conduct of the war. “He woke up quickly. I compare him to Abraham Lincoln, our greatest commander in chief, who was a better general than his generals. Zelensky realizes that he has a combined strategic, operational, and international audience. He has become a great leader despite his complete lack of experience.”
After serving two years as a field artillery officer upon graduating from The Citadel, BG Kondratiuk joined the Massachusetts Army National Guard as Military Historian. Soon after, his talents were needed in Washington, DC at the National Guard Bureau. He worked as Senior Military Historian for 20 years, taking time out for tours as faculty member at the Army War College and Public Affairs Officer. He retired at the rank of Colonel in 1999 and was promoted to Brigadier General in 2007. In retirement, BG Kondratiuk speaks often about the situation in Ukraine and communicates regularly with family members there. A member of the National Lancers and a skilled horseman, he plays the role of Paul Revere each year on Patriots’ Day and rides into Lexington on horseback to spread the alarm of the approaching British troops.
Nominate a Candidate for the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award
The Lexington Veterans Association is proud to sponsor the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award. This Award is designed to recognize a graduating Lexington senior who demonstrates those qualities exemplified by the original award founded in 1979. The Outstanding Youth Award in Lexington showcases our youth and their excellence.
The recipient of this award will be a graduating senior who has committed him or herself to community service, both in Lexington and our surrounding communities. The award highlights academic standing as well as leadership capabilities. A nominee who also demonstrates patriotism and a commitment to meeting the needs of the underserved, as modeled by Pat Flynn in his service to our community and country, will be considered for this award.
Nominate someone for the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award.
Please consider a donation to the fund. Make checks payable to Town of Lexington with the Pat Flynn Youth Award Fund on the memo line and mail to:
Town of Lexington
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
Attn: Select Board
The Lexington Veterans Association is proud to sponsor the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award. This Award is designed to recognize a graduating Lexington senior who demonstrates those qualities exemplified by the original award founded in 1979. The Outstanding Youth Award in Lexington showcases our youth and their excellence.
The recipient of this award will be a graduating senior who has committed him or herself to community service, both in Lexington and our surrounding communities. The award highlights academic standing as well as leadership capabilities. A nominee who also demonstrates patriotism and a commitment to meeting the needs of the underserved, as modeled by Pat Flynn in his service to our community and country, will be considered for this award.
Nominate someone for the Pat Flynn Outstanding Youth Award.
Please consider a donation to the fund. Make checks payable to Town of Lexington with the Pat Flynn Youth Award Fund on the memo line and mail to:
Town of Lexington
1625 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA 02420
Attn: Select Board
Bulletin BoardCheck out veteran-related programs and events of interest around Lexington. Check in with timely veteran-related news articles.
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Speaker Series You’ll find our monthly presentations educational and inspiring. Listen to top-notch speakers on military-related subjects.
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Community ServiceWe are an active partner with other community organizations to honor and recognize veterans and to promote community support of the military.
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Veterans ResourcesNeed help with veterans benefits? Contact our Veterans Services Director to learn more.
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Veterans DayA Veterans Breakfast and a traditional Veterans Day ceremony marked the 2022 Veterans Day observance.
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LVA SurveyTell us about your military or non-military related service. Let us know how we’re doing, suggest future programs, and explore volunteering.
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We Are Grateful
To the following organizations and companies who have been invaluable supporters.
Please click on the logo to go to their homepage.
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Thanks to Dinesh Patel, MD, Sue Stering, and volunteers from the Lexington Town Celebrations Committee
for the beautiful photographs included on our website.
for the beautiful photographs included on our website.