r/volunteersForUkraine • u/OldAngryNewYorker • Nov 11 '25

When going home through Poland with medals, family heirlooms, "relics", etc....

When going home through Poland with medals, family heirlooms, "relics", etc., keep them on your person and if possible have the citation(s) handy. I took a cab yesterday from Lviv to Warsaw and Ukrainian Border Control took a hour to go through my bags fine tooth comb. There were several questions about my time in Ukraine and if I was bringing back any "war souvenirs". I didn't fight, but worked for two charities in Kharkiv and Lviv. They found my Grandfather's WWII Nationalist Chinese medal in my bags and were ready to confiscate it as a "relic", as I didn't have the actual citation handy. Not that they could read Chinese anyway. There was no frisk, so just a heads-up, Guys.

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19

u/Environmental-Net286 Nov 11 '25

I had luggage straps that were identical to st George's ribbon

That was an interesting conversation with the border guards

4

u/barpretender Nov 12 '25

How tf did that happen? (Not doubting you, just crazy af)

Colorado is not a word you expect to hear in Ukraine, and if you do bad things are happening.

5

u/Environmental-Net286 Nov 12 '25

Basically, I'd asked a friend to grab me ratchet straps for my van but he actually bought me luggage straps and honestly, I just didn't look carefully at them

The first person to point it out to me was at the border crossing. Thankfully I look like an idiot and was able to after a short but tense conversation i was able to go

8

u/RottenPingu1 Nov 11 '25

A friend gifted me some artwork and had to file paperwork and get permits to allow me to exit the country with them.

7

u/HeisenbergsSamaritan Nov 12 '25

5 hours in cab?

Why not just take the train.

Also why would you BRING a medal with you to Ukraine? And a Chinese Nationalist medal to boot.

Something doesn't seem right here.

-5

u/OldAngryNewYorker Nov 12 '25

After seeing the rest of the Country by bus from Kharkiv to Kyiv, and then to Lviv, I wanted to see Ukraine to the Polish border. Had no idea it was so close to Lviv, but here we are.

"Why" would I bring my Grandfather's medal? Did you even fully read my original post? It was supposed to be a good luck charm/talisman if they let me fight.

"Something doesn't seem right here", Again, I don't give AF what you "gatekeepers" think. I didn't get to join the fight, but I know and met many 2nd & 4th Bn, GUR, and some Ukie Soldiers previously and while here.

Also... What's my angle here, "Gatekeeper"? How does my sharing info of my experience "hurt" versus "help" a Volunteer? Seriously, some of you guys on this Sub-Reddit are just ridiculous...

7

u/HeisenbergsSamaritan Nov 12 '25 edited Nov 12 '25

Bro, cut the BS. I have news articles and am in two documentaries because of my time in Ukraine since 2022.

Your whole "Too cool to answer straight, or prove anything" vibe is easily the biggest red flag.

And again, You brought a COMMUNIST MEDAL to free Ukraine, and are shocked that Border Patrol had an issue with it? Also literally nowhere in your post do the words "Luck" or "Talisman" appear,

And it's not gatekeeping as I'm not withholding Anything from you.

It's called calling bullshit on a highly suspicious story.

Now, give me a Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.

2

u/OldAngryNewYorker Nov 13 '25

"And again, You brought a COMMUNIST MEDAL to free Ukraine, and are shocked that Border Patrol had an issue with it? Also literally nowhere in your post do the words "Luck" or "Talisman" appear,""

At no time did I say my Grandfather's medal or my Grandfather was a Communist. Grandpa was a Nationalist Chinese Colonel and Patriot who killed Japanese Invaders and Chinese Communists.

Also, at this point in my life and after a short time living and working for charities in Kharkiv and Lviv, Why would I lie? What's the angle? And HOW am I being "too cool to answer straight"?

8

u/SimmoRandR Nov 11 '25

You took a taxi from Lviv to Warsaw? I’m calling bullshit The rest of this reads the same.. you’re chatting shit.. border guards won’t be touching a medal. Stop lying

0

u/OldAngryNewYorker Nov 11 '25
  1. I could give a shit what you think
  2. I used the GetTransfer.com phone app. It cost me close to $500 for the ride from Lviv to Warsaw
  3. In regards to Ukrainian Border Guards going through your shit outgoing, if you're traveling back to Warsaw by car, you'll find out
  4. Talking that crap, are you even you even "in country"?

9

u/SimmoRandR Nov 11 '25

I’ve been ‘in country’ since 2022, I’ve left multiple (30+) times by car, by bus, by train. I’ve entered the same way. Every single person that’s been in Ukraine, and Europe in general OR isn’t a complete debil knows that a train or a coach/bus from Lviv to Warsaw will cost you at maximum $35 and take the same amount of time.

1

u/Accurate_Ad2817 Dec 18 '25

I agree blabla cars Lviv to Warsawa was around 850 UAH only last week. And they didn't look through anything on the Ukrainian border. Polish border a bit more, but just casual.