Andrii I. Rodych

Relative Andriy Ihorovych was born on March 5, 1988, in Lviv, where he was raised in kindness and honesty by his parents Oksana and Ihor. The parents gave their son all their love and affection, which left an endless kindness in Andriy's heart. After finishing the 9th grade at Lviv Secondary School No. 73 and choosing a profession for himself from a young age, Andriy entered the Lviv Military Lyceum named after the Heroes of Kruty, where he studied and matured for three years, ultimately deciding to become an officer. After graduating from the lyceum, he enrolled in the Lviv Academy of Land Forces named after Hetman Petro Sahaidachny. In his second year at the academy, Andriy married Viktoriya, whom he had known since school years, and soon became the father of a wonderful daughter, Veronika, who would bring flowers to her father at graduation three years later, congratulating him on his rank of lieutenant. After graduating from the academy, the young family was assigned to Yavoriv, where Andriy began his unfortunately very short but dreamed-of military career. In the spring of 2014, the military went to Eastern Ukraine, where the young officer, the best son and father, and loving husband, Andriy Rodich, was killed while performing his duty. Remembering Andriy, no one can hold back a smile through the abundant tears, as each person who knew him has their best memory of this wonderful and very kind young man. His wife often recalls the moment when her husband came home and pulled something small and black from his pocket, saying, "I couldn't leave her; she looked at me like that!" It was a kitten, which turned out to be fluffy and white after a bath. Although Andriy became a father at a very young age, there was no reason to complain about him—he always managed to be everywhere: at work, in his free time from studies, and at night he would get up for his daughter, always helping his wife in everything, being not only her support but also her best friend. Friends and acquaintances were always amazed by Andriy's optimism, as he found positivity in any situation and encouraged everyone as best he could, offering his friendly shoulder. Combat comrades remember Andriy primarily as a loyal friend, a good and devoted officer who was with them until the end, who never placed rank above humanity, and treated his subordinates as friends, caring for each one and waiting for their return after difficult and often prolonged battles. His daughter Veronika, who is increasingly resembling her father every day, has decided to follow in his footsteps and also plans to enroll in "dad's" academy after finishing school to dedicate her life to her father's beloved profession. Unfortunately, in this war, in this unequal battle of good and evil, such good young men and men are dying, loyal sons of their country, who should be getting married, raising children, loving women, and bringing joy to their parents… One of them, one of the best, was Andriy, Andriyko, as his loved ones tenderly called him. He should be giving flowers to his wife, cherishing and loving his daughter, bringing joy to his parents, and meeting relatives during holidays… Instead, flowers are brought to his grave, and his family gathers by his grave on this land, washed with tears, yet still dear to them, Ukrainian land…