Today is the Ukrainian Journalist’s Day. I express my congratulations to the media workers, the lens and dictaphones servant. You’ll hear a lot of good words today. Editors will be a little more gentle. Advertisers - more generous. And the heroes of your content, perhaps even say thank you. After all, no matter how abused your brother is, life without you, biographers, would be dreary and gray.
So, Ministry of Defence congratulated journalists. And the military did it very well. After all, what media workers love most? Adventures, travel, new information and nice pictures. All of this our armed forces have gathered in one place, thwarted with a red band and handed to the reporters. And only journalists are able to evaluate such a gift. After all, who else would agree to honor their professional holiday and get up at 6 am to take the bus to Zhitomir, then shake in armored vehicles and Hummers, pull on a body armor weighing more than 20 kg, a bag with a gas mask, helmet and run around with all this stuff, including AK 47, attaining a combat task? Who else after seeing that a colleague has injured his finger would call the cameraman, stand on his knees in front of the injured and ask the most stupid, but the only relevant question in this situation? Just imagine accountants, lawyers, middle managers, personnel officer, or dare I say it, advertising managers in this role... And journalists - no problem! Got up, drove, ran, shoot. The participants of the competition were awarded over and above. The training area, where they played, is located in a very beautiful place. Untilled prairie, the smell of sage, the vast sky with running clouds, small but very picturesque waterfall...Strong handsome men in uniform who, with an indulgent smile, helped us put on a uniform, taught how to insert cartridges into the magazine and the magazine into the slot machine, talked about the rules of military life, driving military machines.
I also thought that glamorous girls sweating in stuffy gyms in hopes of becoming worthy of a handsome prince, better came here, to the training area. 10 minutes of running in a flak jacket over rough terrain strengthen glutes better than any simulator. And next to you is not just a coach, but a real trooper. Military, think of my idea. You can make a lot of money.
Oh, I’ve distracted from the journalists. It was not easy, but the mission was accomplished. FILM.UA team also took part in the fighting.
First, bending under the weight of our outfit, we rooted for our captains who had to overcome the water barrier (aka River) on the bungee. The good military allowed them to take off their bulletproof vests. And then we ran, controlling the breath, we moved to the APCs and Humvees, hardly took our seats under the ironic look of the soldiers, and rushed directly to the combat zone.
Strict officers explained to us the combat mission. Somewhere on the horizon there were cars. Ordinary trucks. But they were very important, and at any cost, it was necessary to run to them in the same bulletproof vests. It was scary and hard. And it hurts when you have not shot bolt and you are taken off by the sniper. When you’re dead you hear a long nasty squeak. You need to remove the helmet. Raise your hands and step away from the battlefield to a safe distance.
Very soon, the majority of the members of our team were together. And we all watched with bated breath for a thin girl - Sasha Vishnevskaya, which despite heavy enemy fire, with short dashes was approaching the cherished car. However, she was not destined to reach the goal.
When participants shot bolt, our hosts took stock. First place went to the TV team, which got prizes from FILM.UA Group.
Second place took the representatives of Internet publications. Third - the smallest, but organized and cohesive team of print publications. We had less of all, we only lost two players, and almost reached the goal. But we were not appreciated. As always, - sighed colleagues. And after a short procedure of awarding all of us went for a celebratory lunch consisting of traditional military dishes: pea soup, porridge with meat and vodka.
Among the toasts, which pronounced Alexei Dmitrashkovsky - Press Secretary to the Minister of Defense of Ukraine - was one that I remembered well. "May you never have to report from hot spots". Very good words. Let's the news you report will be good.
Then we got on a bus, and quietly drove back home. On the way girls were napping peacefully, and the boys were discussing questions of tactics and strategy. So Journalist’s Day was a success. Once again, I congratulate all those involved in this wonderful profession, and to wish newsworthy events, sane editors, generous owners and grateful readers. Happy Holidays!
