MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ)—As the war in Ukraine continues to drag on, one Upper Peninsula veteran is doing what he can to bring Ukrainian refugees to the safety of our shores.
Blair Anderson is a combat veteran who has served on the front lines in Afghanistan. Since retiring, he has been an outspoken voice in the effort to bring Ukrainians to safety using government programs like uniting for Ukraine and welcome.us
“I was trying to find out how I can get more involved, and it was because of another sponsor’s actions in iron River, about 15 miles away from Crystal falls, I was able to find out that, hey, I could be a sponsor too,” said Anderson.
Anderson has sponsored four families fleeing from war-torn Ukraine. Three made it to America safely. However, one family did not, .
“The last ones can’t come over yet, it’s a dentist, his wife, and their two, their son and daughter, and they are stuck in Odessa,” lamented Anderson.
The current political climate has made those refugees fortunate enough to escape Ukraine uneasy about the future,
“It’s causing additional trauma to these families. Number one, can they leave? And number two, can they stay here, even though they’ve been approved by US customers and Immigration Service,” said Anderson.
So what can you do if you wish to sponsor a family?
“The best thing to do is get on to the WELCOME.US and see if there’s somebody who kind of fits,” said Anderson.
Although the future of sponsorship is uncertain, Anderson believes we need to embrace humanity and support the people of Ukraine.
“We are all one human race. You know, humanity needs to help each other out, and especially to beat back these dictators before they do take over too much and then we’re forced into another world war.
