The war in the Ukraine is midway through its second year and in that time Lance Zaal of Williamsburg has made four separate trips to the country.Zaal, who recently returned from his fourth trip, is a U.S. Marine veteran and cofounder of Colonial Ghosts and founder of Ghosts of Liberty. Since April 2022 he has been making the journey to war-stricken country to provide support and training to the Ukrainian forces.

Zaal said he joined the military in 2002 following the events of 9/11 in 2001, serving until 2006. He’s stayed vigilant over the years and has paid attention to the news throughout the world. He said news that would come from Russia always concerned him, especially after the country attacked Ukraine in 2014 and annexed Crimea.

Zaal has ties to Ukraine through an old friend who’s native to the country and currently is serving in the Ukrainian forces. He said he met his friend in business school and they have stayed in contact ever since.

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