How do I even begin to summarize this amazing trip?
We have traveled a lot in the last twenty years, but this journey through the Baltic capitals, Poland, and Finland seems the most meaningful of all. We didn’t expect a trip to resonate so deeply—but this one did. We have been asking why, and I think the answer lies in how history, heritage, and the present moment came together on this path.
Much of the history we have encountered has unfolded within our lifetime. We remember reading about the Singing Revolution in the Baltics and the eventual collapse of the Soviet Union. These weren’t dusty textbook events; they happened as we raised our families and lived our own lives. To stand in the very places where ordinary people risked everything for freedom was really moving.
Being of Polish heritage added another layer of meaning. Walking the streets of Warsaw and Krakow made it easy to feel a connection to the struggles and resilience of those who came before me. It wasn’t just about visiting a country—it seemed like I was learning about a part of myself and recognizing the sacrifices of my ancestors. It also left so many questions: why did they immigrate to the U.S., and what hardships and losses did they endure? How many relatives are still living in Poland now? There should definitely be some genealogy work in my future!
And then there is today. Traveling through these countries at a time when Russia’s war in Ukraine looms large gave everything a sharper edge. The people we met spoke of freedom not as something guaranteed, but as something to be guarded. Their watchfulness reminds us that history is not behind us—it is alive, shaping the present and future. Not one of these countries seemed confident that what is happening in Ukraine today will not happen to them in the future.
This journey was more than sightseeing. It was a tapestry woven of memory, identity, and conscience. I left with not only a deeper understanding of the places we visited but also a clearer sense of myself, my roots, and the fragile gift of freedom. Perhaps that is why this trip, at this point in my life, has touched me more deeply than any other.
Russia and the War in Ukraine
At times, we were geographically close to Ukraine (Krakow sits only about 95 miles from Ukraine). The “war next door” felt much closer than a map alone suggests. Since the invasion in 2022, all of the countries we visited have become major hubs for people fleeing the conflict. Thousands of Ukrainian refugees have passed through or settled in the five countries. Ukrainian language signs, cultural centers, flags, and fundraising concerts are noticeable throughout every country we visited. Aid organizations continue to operate, gathering supplies and coordinating relief efforts that move across the border. The Camouflage Nets Project in Latvia was just one example.
The Baltic countries are among the strongest voices in Europe calling for firm resistance to Russia. All three are members of NATO and the EU, and they’ve invested heavily in defense—modernizing their militaries, building border fortifications, and hosting NATO troops on rotation. Civil defense and resilience are also part of daily conversation, from cyber protection to securing energy supplies.
Our visit to Finland also took us very close to the Russian border…less than an hour away by car. For over 70 years, Finland followed a careful path of neutrality due to its shared border with Russia. But the war in Ukraine completely shifted Finnish thinking. In 2023, Finland officially joined NATO, ending its neutrality. Now there are fortifications, military exercises, and heightened preparedness measures. For Finns, the move was not just about defense but also about belonging fully to the Western security family.
These nations don’t take independence for granted—they know how quickly it can be lost. And the responsibility isn’t left only to the military—ordinary citizens are encouraged to be part of the country’s readiness. There are volunteer defense organizations and guidance regarding shelters. Finland, in particular, has thousands of underground shelters built during the Cold War, many of them beneath apartment blocks and shopping centers. They can be quickly converted into safe spaces in the event of air raids. In the Baltics, new shelters and reinforced buildings are being added, while old ones are being readied.
These countries seem like a living example of resilience and solidarity— balancing their role in this urgent, ongoing story with the “monster next door.” They all share a long and complicated history with Russia, and that history shapes how they behave today. At the same time, they continue to deal with the memories of their own past occupations, deportations, and exterminations. It all seems such a heavy burden to carry… always having to be prepared and on guard.
But preparation does not appear to be driven by fear; rather, it seems woven into the fabric of daily life. Music and art celebrate national pride, and commemorations keep alive the memory of past struggles for independence. We saw not just beautiful capitals, but nations living with both eyes on the future—strong, determined, and united in their readiness to defend their freedom.
Problems after we left, October 2025…….
—The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense reported that during October 6–12, six alert scrambles occurred to intercept Russian aircraft near the Baltic States’ borders, including a Russian IL-20 flying from Russia to the Kaliningrad enclave, with its transponder off and no flight plan.
—-Lithuania announced plans to shoot down smuggling balloons entering its airspace from Belarus, calling the disruptions “hybrid attacks”. Lithuania views it as part of the broader pattern of pressure from Russia and its allies in the region.
—NATO Scrambles Fighter Jets to Shoot Down Russian Drones Over Poland. The incursion was the first time alliance planes had engaged enemy targets in NATO airspace. Poland’s leader called it “a large-scale provocation.”
—Russia has reportedly been increasing its naval and “shadow-fleet” related activity in the Baltic Sea to shield sanctioned traffic and test regional defenses
—Estonia reported that three Russian MiG-31 fighters violated its airspace for about 12 minutes.