Ivan I. Makar

Soldier Ivan Makar was killed in action on March 6, 2022, in a battle with Russian invaders near the town of Popasna in Luhansk region. The defender was 33 years old. Ivan was from the village of Torchynovychi, Lviv region. He graduated from the historical faculty of Ivan Franko Lviv National University. He worked as a history teacher in a school in the village of Striilky. He loved his job and the children very much. He was a participant in the Revolution of Dignity. He loved nature and grew his own garden. On February 24, 2022, Ivan decided to defend his homeland from the invaders. He joined the ranks of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade named after King Danylo and went to the front. Together with his comrades, he defended Luhansk region. On the day of Ivan's death, there were constant shelling from the enemy side in the area where his unit was located. The fighter received a fatal shrapnel wound from an artillery shell. Due to the constant shelling, his comrades could not retrieve his body. "On the first day of the invasion, he went to the military enlistment office without hesitation because he believed that he could not tell children in school about the war if he was not a participant. He was preparing for the invasion, studying foreign intelligence materials, and was convinced that the war was inevitable. Ivan's comrades remember that he was very motivated and wanted to be as effective as possible on the frontline," said Ivan's student, Ivan Maguryak. "We were proud of him, his decisiveness, and his ability to make decisions in difficult times. We were proud of his professional talent in presenting the material in such a way as to provoke discussion among high school students for whom certain historical events seemed like a very distant past. He was a pedagogical intellectual who had profound knowledge and an infinite desire to teach the younger generation to think based on indisputable facts. He has followers among the students of our institution who continue his beloved cause. He was infinitely loved by all the children for his understanding and support, for his partnership on the tennis court and in the sports hall or during volleyball games. He was respected and valued by his colleagues for his intelligence and humanity. This is a huge loss for all of us. Eternal and bright memory to the pedagogue, colleague, friend, and good person," wrote Ivan's colleagues at Striilky Lyceum. In his native village, a memorial plaque was installed for him. At home, Ivan was awaited by his parents, wife, and two sons. Posthumously, the warrior was awarded the Order of Courage III degree.