Latvian nurse gets Ukrainian state award

Take note – story published 1 year and 2 months ago

September marks one year since Latvian nurse Sarmīte Cīrule has been helping the wounded on the Ukrainian front day and night. She has received several awards recently, including the Order of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, after she herself was wounded in an attack, Latvian Television reported September 7.

The explosion last year in late December, in which Sarmīte got injured, was very dangerous, with her colleague having become disabled after it. Sarmīte was in treatment for a long time.

"To be honest, I still don't understand how we survived then. The building we were in just isn't there anymore. My colleague had chip-burned holes on his back. I had a severe brain concussion and contusion. The driver and paramedic also needed treatment. I'm emotional because it's not easy to talk about this injury. So many people lost their lives. Maybe it sounds pompous - I'm saving Ukraine. But I put my soul and my flesh into it. And it also means injuries, " said Cīrule.

She traveled to Ukraine September 24 last year. Over the course of this year, she saved countless injured people, helped civilians, became a godmother to a village-born girl, and received an order in Latvia. It can now be accompanied by a Ukrainian order that says “for blood spilled in Ukraine's independence battles.”

"Thank you to all the people of Latvia who continue to support me so that I can be here and help the soldiers. Also for those who end up in evacuation cars. And thanks for the prayers. And there are situations where I ask to be prayed for. And God has been gracious. And thank you to my family who are very keen to see me at home but allow me to be here!" the nurse said.

Sarmite has also received the order “brother to brother”, which is served to foreigners fighting for Ukraine. She says what she misses the most is going mushroom-picking and sitting by the lake in silence to catch some fish.

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