U.S. Volunteers Died Fighting in Ukraine — Now Their Parents Are Telling Trump: “Freedom Isn’t Just for America”
Across the country, families who lost their sons in Ukraine are breaking their silence. They are sharing stories of courage, heartbreak, and conviction — and sending a clear message to President Donald Trump as he renews his commitment to supporting Kyiv. These parents aren’t talking politics. They’re talking about sacrifice, and what it means to believe that freedom is a universal right, not a privilege tied to one nation.
One of them is Terri Hepworth, the mother of 34-year-old Dane Alan Partridge, who was killed in 2022. She remembers the words her son said before he left: “This war is a war of good versus evil.” He wasn’t looking for glory or recognition. He wanted to stand for something he believed in — the right of people to live free from tyranny. Terri now hopes President Trump will hear the voices of families like hers, who watched their children leave home to fight for a country that wasn’t their own, and never return.
Another family still grieving is that of U.S. veteran Cedric Hamm, who joined Ukrainian forces and disappeared in action before his body was identified months later. His mother, Rachel Hamm, described her son as “driven by purpose,” a man who couldn’t ignore what was happening overseas. She said Cedric believed freedom doesn’t stop at borders — and that helping Ukraine defend itself was part of protecting the world from something darker.
There’s also the story of Edward “Eli” Wilton, a 22-year-old Army veteran from Florida. Before leaving, he told his mom, “Freedom isn’t just for America.” Those words have since become the title of a message that many of these families are now sending to President Trump. They want him to know that their children saw Ukraine’s struggle as part of a larger mission — one that echoes America’s own founding ideals.
And then there was former Marine Collin Teem, who died protecting others during an ambush. His parents said Collin didn’t see himself as a hero. He believed he was simply doing the right thing — standing alongside people who needed help.
Dozens of families have now joined together to reach out directly to Trump, saying they’re encouraged by his growing support for Kyiv and want him to hear why their sons fought and died. They say this war isn’t about politics, borders, or alliances — it’s about defending humanity’s shared values.
The message behind their words is both powerful and deeply personal. These parents aren’t asking for sympathy — they’re asking for acknowledgment. They want their children’s sacrifice to mean something beyond headlines or political speeches. They want future generations to understand why ordinary Americans would travel halfway across the world to fight for freedom they could have easily taken for granted at home.
It’s a message that goes beyond foreign policy. It’s a reminder that even in divided times, the ideals that define America — courage, freedom, and sacrifice — still inspire people to act, even when the cost is everything.
As the families continue to speak out, their stories are touching thousands. They’re not just talking to President Trump — they’re talking to every American who still believes that the fight for freedom, anywhere in the world, is a cause worth standing for.
