Originally Posted by galaxy flyer

Interesting question. I always thought of myself as Ukrainian, that’s what I was taught. Mom’s an old Yankee family. My father’s parents came to the US in 1915 from a village near Ternopil, farm families, many children. They met and married in the US,but we’re acquainted in the “old country”; fully expecting to return. Grandma, who died at 105, thought of herself as Austrian-Hungarian, said so on her immigration papers, IIRC. When granted US citizenship in the ‘20s, she was Ukrainian, although many thought of my grandparents as Polish. Very fluid borders. My father’s cousin (grandma’s sister’s son) survived by joining the Germans after the Russians invaded that part of Ukraine. All his male siblings as well as grandpa’s make siblings were killed, one way or another. My “generation” over there are still in the village.

My father’s cousin, received a letter welcoming home from the new Ukrainian government in 1992, Sloko says, he was likely arrested on return before that time. He visited frequently with his English wife and children over the years. Now, 96, he can’t go anymore obviously. He calls frequently, but jot since this war started. I last visited him in Toronto a few years ago. Mom would send money and Xmas cards over to the family, but I’ve lost track, sadly.

I spent time in Warsaw on long layovers, great city, lots of history.

Originally Posted by DeltaboundRedux

I’m sure you’re not trying to be pedantic here; the general point is that the federal government has a huge say on if private companies are allowed to do so.

No leases on federal lands to exploit energy, no authorizations to use pipelines to transport it in a cost effective way, etc.

It’s so obvious that I think I must have missed your point.

Oil is the lifeblood of the airlines, full stop. At some point, it gets too expensive and airlines start disappearing.

Originally Posted by MaxQ

Hi Galaxy,
Thanks for the lengthy reply to my nosy question. Your answer fits with my understanding of the demographics of the time. The cities were predominantly Polish and Jewish. The countryside (I would say peasant farmers but some would take it as a pejorative that isn't intended) was mostly Ukrainian and a mix of Polish and German At least that is the picture I have, which I am sure has it's errors.
I started to write about the switching borders and such but decided I had no right to. It is your family history and my thoughts on the circumstances of the time don't belong here.
If I could though, you might be interested in the book "A Biography of No Place" by Kate Brown. It details the Kresy area quite well regarding the 1920's to the end of WW2. Don't be put off by the early chapters being different than what you understand the history as. Stick with it, it will eventually fall into place. Most of us are ignorant of the history from the mid- twenties until Stalin consolidated his power. At that point the narrative becomes more familiar.
Thank you for sharing.

Originally Posted by KirillTheThrill

“Putin may circle Kyiv with tanks, but he'll never gain the hearts and souls of the Iranian people!”

“Go get him!”

Originally Posted by nene

I thought it sounded more like the hearts and souls of the Uranian people. Kinda a mashup.....you know like Ben and Jennifer= Bennifer

Originally Posted by Zard

Where do Uranians live?

Originally Posted by flyprdu

Two pages dedicated to a small mispronunciation. Meanwhile we're the closest to WW3 since Able Archer.

You boys keep scoring those political touchdowns. The game is all you've got left.