1
00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000
Downloaded from
YTS.MX
2
00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000
Official YIFY movies site:
YTS.MX
3
00:00:47,298 --> 00:00:49,717
{\an8}
4
00:01:27,087 --> 00:01:30,508
The word hunger,
it's complicated.
5
00:01:31,425 --> 00:01:34,720
It can be used positively
to suggest a craving,
6
00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:37,598
- or a thirst to do
great things. -
7
00:01:37,598 --> 00:01:42,603
But in war, hunger can be
weaponized, weakening families,
8
00:01:43,103 --> 00:01:45,189
{\an8}brought on by a need for food.
9
00:02:19,014 --> 00:02:22,560
Jason Birchard has a hunger
to feed people.
10
00:02:23,352 --> 00:02:26,313
Like his father,
and grandfather before him.
11
00:02:27,606 --> 00:02:30,651
{\an8}But the feeding
goes beyond food itself.
12
00:02:30,985 --> 00:02:32,945
{\an8}Food should unite us,
13
00:02:34,029 --> 00:02:35,948
{\an8}and it can transport us,
14
00:02:36,532 --> 00:02:39,410
{\an8}bringing the flavors
of Ukraine and Eastern Europe
15
00:02:40,077 --> 00:02:42,580
{\an8}to a corner of New York City.
16
00:02:45,291 --> 00:02:46,876
{\an8}♪
17
00:02:46,876 --> 00:02:49,128
{\an8}
18
00:03:20,701 --> 00:03:22,369
{\an8}♪
19
00:03:32,630 --> 00:03:33,964
{\an8}Edwin, how are you?
20
00:03:34,632 --> 00:03:38,302
So what we're doing here,
I want to freshen up the yellow,
21
00:03:38,302 --> 00:03:39,970
and whatever's red is blue.
22
00:03:40,304 --> 00:03:43,891
We're trying to highlight the
Ukrainian flag, yellow and blue.
23
00:03:44,391 --> 00:03:45,643
Thank you.
24
00:03:47,478 --> 00:03:49,730
{\an8}
25
00:03:51,857 --> 00:03:55,069
I've worn many hats here
as a proprietor of Veselka.
26
00:03:55,069 --> 00:03:56,654
Is everybody enjoying?
27
00:03:56,946 --> 00:03:58,739
{\an8}Saw a lot of things,
a lot of different characters
28
00:03:58,989 --> 00:04:00,157
{\an8}coming through this place.
29
00:04:00,616 --> 00:04:04,703
I found myself at the age of 13
working here.
30
00:04:04,995 --> 00:04:06,664
I never really envisioned
31
00:04:06,664 --> 00:04:07,748
a long-term future
here in the business.
32
00:04:09,083 --> 00:04:11,126
Okay, time for coffee.
33
00:04:12,002 --> 00:04:13,629
And with the onslaught
of the war,
34
00:04:14,338 --> 00:04:17,216
some days I need
to give a little extra love
35
00:04:17,216 --> 00:04:19,134
to my Ukrainian staff
who have been
36
00:04:19,134 --> 00:04:21,011
unsure of what the
future holds.
37
00:04:21,845 --> 00:04:25,516
{\an8}Dima is one of
roughly 30 Ukrainian employees.
38
00:04:25,516 --> 00:04:28,644
{\an8}His mother and aunt are twins,
and living in Ukraine.
39
00:04:29,019 --> 00:04:32,356
Concerned for their safety,
he has had one foot on a plane,
40
00:04:32,731 --> 00:04:34,274
ready to fight on the front.
41
00:04:35,275 --> 00:04:38,112
At Veselka,
family has always been
42
00:04:38,112 --> 00:04:39,822
at the center
of its long history.
43
00:04:39,822 --> 00:04:41,615
My grandfather,
Wolodymyr Darmochwal,
44
00:04:42,157 --> 00:04:46,537
{\an8}originated from a small town in
western Ukraine called Bolekhiv.
45
00:04:46,829 --> 00:04:48,288
{\an8}♪
46
00:04:48,998 --> 00:04:52,543
Escaping Russian oppression
back in the late 1940s,
47
00:04:52,793 --> 00:04:54,169
{\an8}he wanted to
create something here
48
00:04:54,420 --> 00:04:56,547
{\an8}that the family could carry on.
49
00:04:57,131 --> 00:04:59,675
He started this business
in 1954,
50
00:04:59,925 --> 00:05:01,510
in the center
of little Ukraine.
51
00:05:01,927 --> 00:05:03,554
At that time,
little Ukraine
52
00:05:03,554 --> 00:05:06,265
was home to
roughly 60,000 Ukrainians.
53
00:05:06,765 --> 00:05:09,101
Today, there are only 25,000.
54
00:05:09,601 --> 00:05:12,229
Wolodymyr would name
his storefront Veselka,
55
00:05:12,646 --> 00:05:14,148
which means rainbow.
56
00:05:15,649 --> 00:05:17,818
And he felt that
at the end of his rainbow,
57
00:05:18,068 --> 00:05:20,237
he would find his pot of gold.
58
00:05:22,489 --> 00:05:24,616
{\an8}He opened it as a little
candy store, newsstand,
59
00:05:24,867 --> 00:05:26,952
{\an8}and a tenth of the
space of what it is currently,
60
00:05:27,202 --> 00:05:29,121
and expanded it over
the years.
61
00:05:29,121 --> 00:05:31,582
{\an8}My father married into the
family, married my mother,
62
00:05:31,832 --> 00:05:33,417
{\an8}Marta Darmochwal.
63
00:05:37,504 --> 00:05:40,007
My mother and father
met at a college mixer.
64
00:05:40,841 --> 00:05:43,844
After one of their first
encounters, my mother,
65
00:05:44,094 --> 00:05:45,721
at 19, was pregnant.
66
00:05:45,971 --> 00:05:48,932
I know that Wolodymyr had hopes
and dreams of his daughter
67
00:05:49,183 --> 00:05:50,976
marrying a good Ukrainian boy,
68
00:05:50,976 --> 00:05:54,480
so he kind of reconciled
to the next best thing,
69
00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:55,939
a good American boy.
70
00:06:01,862 --> 00:06:04,531
- Good morning.
- Hello.
71
00:06:05,074 --> 00:06:06,700
You happen to know
where Jason is?
72
00:06:07,326 --> 00:06:08,577
I thought he was with you.
73
00:06:08,577 --> 00:06:09,620
I thought he was
with you, yeah.
74
00:06:10,079 --> 00:06:11,580
Don't know where he went.
75
00:06:11,580 --> 00:06:13,165
It's a sidewalk, sidewalk.
76
00:06:13,624 --> 00:06:15,417
That means you walk
on the sidewalk.
77
00:06:15,959 --> 00:06:17,336
{\an8}Bike is in the bike--
78
00:06:17,336 --> 00:06:18,462
{\an8}Okay.
79
00:06:19,213 --> 00:06:20,631
What's at the top
of the Hit Parade?
80
00:06:20,881 --> 00:06:25,761
{\an8}We've got the Ukrainian
Institute event tonight.
81
00:06:25,761 --> 00:06:27,554
Three catering orders today.
82
00:06:27,846 --> 00:06:29,848
We've got our renovation
meeting this afternoon.
83
00:06:30,099 --> 00:06:31,391
Yeah. Wow.
84
00:06:31,683 --> 00:06:33,644
We got to be careful we don't
take on too much.
85
00:06:33,894 --> 00:06:35,521
I'm already a little concerned,
86
00:06:35,521 --> 00:06:36,980
because Jason just says
yes to everything, and...
87
00:06:37,731 --> 00:06:38,899
There's a guy
who used to work here.
88
00:06:39,149 --> 00:06:40,651
He's here.
Can you just talk to him?
89
00:06:40,901 --> 00:06:42,528
Maybe he can come in with--
come in in the morning.
90
00:06:42,778 --> 00:06:44,238
He's a good guy.
Let's give him a...
91
00:06:44,238 --> 00:06:45,405
Sure.
92
00:06:46,448 --> 00:06:48,575
{\an8}Slava. My boys are cool.
93
00:06:55,999 --> 00:06:59,128
{\an8}Somebody just reminded me that
he had some major problems.
94
00:06:59,128 --> 00:07:00,671
Let him go today,
and then I'll tell him
95
00:07:00,921 --> 00:07:02,131
I'm going to go a different
direction.
96
00:07:02,131 --> 00:07:03,507
I forgot about that.
97
00:07:03,757 --> 00:07:05,425
Yes, I was going to tell you
like a mother.
98
00:07:06,218 --> 00:07:10,180
Everybody comes, you have a
good heart, but he's no good.
99
00:07:10,430 --> 00:07:12,015
Okay.
100
00:07:13,100 --> 00:07:15,727
My father-in-law was
thrilled to have a grandson.
101
00:07:16,478 --> 00:07:18,522
I remember the look
in his eyes, you know,
102
00:07:18,522 --> 00:07:20,941
looking at Jason,
and he asked us
103
00:07:20,941 --> 00:07:22,943
to give Jason a Ukrainian name.
104
00:07:23,902 --> 00:07:26,947
We gave him a Ukrainian
middle name, Bogdan.
105
00:07:27,197 --> 00:07:29,324
{\an8}So what was your own father
saying at this point?
106
00:07:30,284 --> 00:07:32,035
{\an8}Obviously, you had a lot
on your plate now.
107
00:07:32,286 --> 00:07:35,956
{\an8}Was he asking you, you know,
what's the plan, what's next?
108
00:07:36,415 --> 00:07:39,459
Yeah, my dad and I weren't
particularly close.
109
00:07:39,459 --> 00:07:41,587
I mean, honestly,
I wish he had asked me that,
110
00:07:41,587 --> 00:07:44,923
but I never really had
a clear vision.
111
00:07:44,923 --> 00:07:48,302
So I decided to drop out of
college temporarily,
112
00:07:48,302 --> 00:07:51,597
and I started working at Veselka
as a holding pattern
113
00:07:51,597 --> 00:07:53,307
while I figured life out.
114
00:07:53,557 --> 00:07:57,102
Starting work as
a weekend cashier in 1966,
115
00:07:57,519 --> 00:08:01,565
Tom's holding pattern would
last the next 54 years.
116
00:08:01,815 --> 00:08:04,610
Wolodymyr,
he was doing okay.
117
00:08:04,943 --> 00:08:08,572
You know, he figured out what
he'd need to sell to survive.
118
00:08:08,822 --> 00:08:12,159
Ukrainian newspapers, pens,
pencils, cigarette fluid.
119
00:08:12,409 --> 00:08:15,746
Apparently, some drug dealer
asked for glassine envelopes.
120
00:08:15,996 --> 00:08:18,624
I don't think he even knew
what they used them for.
121
00:08:19,041 --> 00:08:23,045
Over time, he sold coffee and
a few little Ukrainian dishes,
122
00:08:23,420 --> 00:08:26,215
but it was much different from
what is there now.
123
00:08:30,260 --> 00:08:32,721
Give me French fries
and deluxe veggie.
124
00:08:35,057 --> 00:08:36,600
Hey! Sharing perogies.
125
00:08:36,600 --> 00:08:38,143
We're basically
a food factory.
126
00:08:38,393 --> 00:08:40,729
All the soups are homemade,
we bake bread,
127
00:08:40,979 --> 00:08:43,148
we make all the vareniki
by hand.
128
00:08:43,398 --> 00:08:45,859
On an average day,
the ladies are making 3,000.
129
00:08:46,443 --> 00:08:49,529
Now during the war, they're
making up to 5,000 per day.
130
00:08:49,780 --> 00:08:51,907
That's a lot of love
in those vareniki.
131
00:08:52,157 --> 00:08:54,159
We're shipping food
across the country.
132
00:08:54,576 --> 00:08:56,828
{\an8}I'm always in awe
of how we get it all done.
133
00:08:57,621 --> 00:08:59,498
{\an8}♪
134
00:08:59,498 --> 00:09:01,750
{\an8}
135
00:09:03,710 --> 00:09:06,046
It is
an extremely small space.
136
00:09:06,046 --> 00:09:09,216
{\an8}Space is too small
for everyone.
137
00:09:10,676 --> 00:09:12,261
This is a big problem.
138
00:09:13,762 --> 00:09:16,014
Everyone wants to use the ovens
at the same time,
139
00:09:16,014 --> 00:09:17,307
and the top two don't work.
140
00:09:18,100 --> 00:09:21,228
They just recently broke, so
we'll work in the full kitchen.
141
00:09:21,228 --> 00:09:23,313
All the food that we make
are from these two.
142
00:09:23,563 --> 00:09:25,565
The air conditioning,
the grills, the fryers,
143
00:09:25,816 --> 00:09:27,776
everything's just kind of
hanging on by a thread.
144
00:09:27,776 --> 00:09:28,819
Why is this here?
145
00:09:29,611 --> 00:09:31,488
We're getting to the point
where we can't grow anymore.
146
00:09:32,781 --> 00:09:34,700
When I first came to Veselka,
147
00:09:34,700 --> 00:09:37,869
the entire business
was in this small room.
148
00:09:38,120 --> 00:09:41,832
The back wall, where there were
5 phone booths, was right here.
149
00:09:42,082 --> 00:09:43,625
You can still see the beam.
150
00:09:43,625 --> 00:09:46,962
So from here on was a--
was a button shop.
151
00:09:47,879 --> 00:09:49,923
When my father-in-law
took that room over,
152
00:09:49,923 --> 00:09:53,343
it was entry by his
invitation only.
153
00:09:53,760 --> 00:09:57,097
And he would host meetings
with other Ukrainian patriots
154
00:09:57,097 --> 00:10:00,225
to discuss the latest news,
and how to help
155
00:10:00,475 --> 00:10:02,602
people in Ukraine
under Russian rule.
156
00:10:02,978 --> 00:10:06,648
My father-in-law was a presence,
a leader in the community.
157
00:10:06,648 --> 00:10:09,484
He was a founding member of a
scouting organization called
158
00:10:09,484 --> 00:10:11,862
Plast, who bought the building
where we are.
159
00:10:12,195 --> 00:10:13,697
He was a very
patriotic Ukrainian.
160
00:10:14,614 --> 00:10:17,242
He had always envisioned a free
Ukraine, and I'm sure
161
00:10:17,492 --> 00:10:19,369
he's turning in his grave,
seeing what's happening now.
162
00:10:23,081 --> 00:10:24,583
{\an8}
163
00:10:28,503 --> 00:10:31,006
{\an8}Staff members here who have
immediate family there,
164
00:10:31,256 --> 00:10:32,758
{\an8}they're in a state of shock.
165
00:10:32,758 --> 00:10:36,845
{\an8}Me and Larissa, from Ukraine,
city Lviv.
166
00:10:37,763 --> 00:10:40,349
Luda from Ukraine,
city Ternopil.
167
00:10:40,849 --> 00:10:43,935
Uh, Oksana from Belarus.
168
00:10:44,186 --> 00:10:46,772
{\an8}Your fellow workers that are
from Ukraine...
169
00:10:47,022 --> 00:10:48,732
{\an8}- Yes.
Uh...
170
00:10:48,732 --> 00:10:51,568
{\an8}Have some of them or any of
them found it too hard
171
00:10:51,818 --> 00:10:54,363
{\an8}to work here while, you know,
172
00:10:54,363 --> 00:10:56,156
there's all these problems
back home in Ukraine?
173
00:10:56,406 --> 00:10:57,908
- No.
- Everybody works?
174
00:10:58,158 --> 00:10:59,618
Yes, yes.
175
00:10:59,618 --> 00:11:01,411
Sorry, I don't speak English
very well.
176
00:11:01,661 --> 00:11:03,413
I think you do.
177
00:11:08,085 --> 00:11:09,294
- Okay.
- Um...
178
00:11:15,842 --> 00:11:17,052
That's interesting.
179
00:11:17,302 --> 00:11:19,805
So I would just
try to focus on...
180
00:11:20,055 --> 00:11:23,683
Vitalii, you tell them, pick up
the phone and take out...
181
00:11:23,934 --> 00:11:26,812
So the old-school
Soviet mentality,
182
00:11:27,062 --> 00:11:30,440
which those older
perogy ladies grew up in,
183
00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:32,442
there is no such thing
as mental health.
184
00:11:33,652 --> 00:11:34,903
They're stoic.
185
00:11:34,903 --> 00:11:36,405
Exactly. Very stoic.
186
00:11:36,655 --> 00:11:37,989
They grew up in a system where
187
00:11:37,989 --> 00:11:39,408
they never had
freedom of speech,
188
00:11:39,408 --> 00:11:42,953
or a bill of rights,
189
00:11:42,953 --> 00:11:45,914
or any of the liberties
that we have.
190
00:11:45,914 --> 00:11:48,667
So we have a young man, and you
may have talked to him,
191
00:11:48,667 --> 00:11:50,252
or maybe you will later,
Vitalii.
192
00:11:50,252 --> 00:11:51,211
Okay.
193
00:11:51,461 --> 00:11:53,088
He told me his mom went out to
194
00:11:53,088 --> 00:11:55,132
the countryside
to be with his grandma.
195
00:11:55,132 --> 00:11:57,801
His dad is right
in the middle of Kyiv,
196
00:11:57,801 --> 00:11:59,428
in a bunker with a rifle,
197
00:11:59,678 --> 00:12:01,471
and he's worried to death
about it.
198
00:12:01,930 --> 00:12:03,223
{\an8}I heard your family's
in Kyiv.
199
00:12:04,182 --> 00:12:05,976
{\an8}Yes, they're at home right now
in Kyiv.
200
00:12:06,309 --> 00:12:07,602
{\an8}How are they doing?
201
00:12:08,103 --> 00:12:09,646
As far as I know, they're doing
okay,
202
00:12:09,646 --> 00:12:11,857
but I couldn't call them today.
203
00:12:11,857 --> 00:12:13,400
I feel a little frustrated.
204
00:12:14,151 --> 00:12:17,279
Would you have a little
bit of time to sit with us
205
00:12:17,279 --> 00:12:19,364
- and just do a quick interview?
- Let's do it another day.
206
00:12:19,364 --> 00:12:20,949
Okay. It's no problem.
207
00:12:27,956 --> 00:12:31,626
My father-in-law lived
across the street from Veselka,
208
00:12:31,626 --> 00:12:34,588
{\an8}and his wife lived in
West Orange, New Jersey,
209
00:12:34,588 --> 00:12:37,424
{\an8}and he would come home
sometimes on weekends.
210
00:12:38,049 --> 00:12:40,886
{\an8}I and some of the other staff
would try to gently, you know,
211
00:12:41,136 --> 00:12:42,929
you need to go home,
you need to rest.
212
00:12:43,346 --> 00:12:44,973
When he would go
across the street,
213
00:12:45,223 --> 00:12:46,892
he would sit in the window,
and if he saw that
214
00:12:47,142 --> 00:12:49,478
it was getting busy, he'd throw
his clothes on and run down
215
00:12:49,478 --> 00:12:51,563
and kind of
scamper around nervously.
216
00:12:51,980 --> 00:12:55,275
So yeah, he was definitely
a type-A personality.
217
00:12:56,318 --> 00:12:59,571
On a cold January
night in 1974,
218
00:12:59,821 --> 00:13:02,240
Wolodymyr worked
into the late hours.
219
00:13:03,533 --> 00:13:05,243
He suffered a heart attack.
220
00:13:06,244 --> 00:13:08,997
By the time he was taken
to Bellevue Hospital,
221
00:13:08,997 --> 00:13:10,457
he had already passed.
222
00:13:17,923 --> 00:13:20,175
We got close because
I worked with him,
223
00:13:20,425 --> 00:13:22,302
and I think he appreciated
the help,
224
00:13:22,302 --> 00:13:26,681
and he could see that I was
interested in the business,
225
00:13:26,681 --> 00:13:29,392
and nobody else in the family
was really all that interested.
226
00:13:30,268 --> 00:13:33,230
Mykola, his son, had a tough
relationship with him.
227
00:13:34,272 --> 00:13:37,442
Wolodymyr could be dictatorial
and difficult,
228
00:13:37,442 --> 00:13:40,654
but he didn't really treat me
that way.
229
00:13:41,530 --> 00:13:46,159
So I agreed short-term
to manage the business,
230
00:13:46,451 --> 00:13:48,328
until we figured out
what the family
231
00:13:48,328 --> 00:13:50,247
would want to do long-term.
232
00:13:51,706 --> 00:13:53,250
Right after he passed away,
233
00:13:53,500 --> 00:13:55,418
heroin flooded the neighborhood,
234
00:13:55,418 --> 00:13:57,629
and they started building
the 2nd Avenue subway.
235
00:13:58,129 --> 00:14:00,382
They took away the sidewalk
in front of Veselka,
236
00:14:00,382 --> 00:14:01,841
so when you stepped
out the door,
237
00:14:02,092 --> 00:14:04,594
you took one step, and you were
in 2nd Avenue.
238
00:14:05,178 --> 00:14:07,013
Neighborhood just went
into a steep decline.
239
00:14:07,806 --> 00:14:10,016
I was also starting
to fail financially.
240
00:14:12,018 --> 00:14:13,603
The strains of
running a business
241
00:14:13,853 --> 00:14:16,731
caused him to be here a lot.
242
00:14:17,065 --> 00:14:20,318
As my grandfather had a place
across the street,
243
00:14:20,318 --> 00:14:22,529
my father had a place just down
the block.
244
00:14:22,529 --> 00:14:25,699
When my younger brother Tom Jr.
and I were living
245
00:14:25,949 --> 00:14:27,450
with my mother in New Jersey,
246
00:14:27,701 --> 00:14:30,370
we would only see him
maybe once a month.
247
00:14:30,787 --> 00:14:32,455
People could see that I was
going to keep Veselka going
248
00:14:32,706 --> 00:14:35,959
to maintain it as a kind of
Ukrainian hub,
249
00:14:35,959 --> 00:14:38,587
but some people
in the Ukrainian community
250
00:14:38,587 --> 00:14:41,715
really kind of gave me the
cold shoulder, and with time,
251
00:14:41,965 --> 00:14:43,592
that business model declined.
252
00:14:44,175 --> 00:14:46,011
Ukrainians were
leaving the neighborhood
253
00:14:46,261 --> 00:14:48,263
in droves. It wasn't because of
254
00:14:48,263 --> 00:14:50,515
the drugs, crime, or even Tom.
255
00:14:51,391 --> 00:14:53,602
{\an8}It was because
of the increasing rent.
256
00:14:53,602 --> 00:14:55,604
{\an8}I had a young fellow
working for me, and he said,
257
00:14:55,604 --> 00:14:57,480
{\an8}if you want to succeed,
you got to have
258
00:14:57,480 --> 00:14:59,608
{\an8}really good coffee, and you got
to have really good bacon.
259
00:14:59,858 --> 00:15:02,569
He said, why don't you do
what you want to do,
260
00:15:02,819 --> 00:15:04,279
instead of what your
father-in-law did?
261
00:15:04,821 --> 00:15:06,239
I had to take a leap.
262
00:15:06,489 --> 00:15:07,991
I couldn't afford to leap.
263
00:15:08,283 --> 00:15:11,995
I skimped on things like the
sales tax and the payroll,
264
00:15:11,995 --> 00:15:15,624
and eventually they came
looking for me.
265
00:15:15,874 --> 00:15:18,668
I couldn't tell somebody
I ran Veselka,
266
00:15:18,918 --> 00:15:21,921
because it was a laughingstock,
but the state
267
00:15:22,172 --> 00:15:25,008
gave me an opportunity to make
a sizable deposit,
268
00:15:25,008 --> 00:15:26,801
and sure enough,
we were chosen to be
269
00:15:27,052 --> 00:15:31,181
one of the first places in our
area to sell lotto tickets,
270
00:15:31,431 --> 00:15:34,559
and those turned out to be
hugely popular.
271
00:15:34,809 --> 00:15:37,604
Shortly after that, I put an ad
in The Village Voice
272
00:15:37,854 --> 00:15:42,609
{\an8}to hire a short-order cook,
and a fellow named Max Cholosky
273
00:15:42,609 --> 00:15:45,570
{\an8}showed up
for the job, and fortuitously,
274
00:15:45,570 --> 00:15:48,406
he had worked for his dad
in Brooklyn,
275
00:15:48,406 --> 00:15:51,159
at a place that was
very similar.
276
00:15:51,159 --> 00:15:52,786
But along with that, the city
277
00:15:53,036 --> 00:15:54,579
gave up on building
the 2nd Avenue subway,
278
00:15:54,829 --> 00:15:56,289
and they restored everything.
279
00:15:56,289 --> 00:15:57,832
Right around that same time,
280
00:15:58,083 --> 00:15:59,709
we got a positive review in
The Village Voice.
281
00:16:00,210 --> 00:16:02,337
It was exactly what we needed,
282
00:16:02,587 --> 00:16:06,174
at exactly, I was going to say
the right time.
283
00:16:06,174 --> 00:16:08,093
I mean, it was way past time.
284
00:16:13,306 --> 00:16:16,101
I know he put a lot of hours
and a lot of sweat, tears
285
00:16:16,351 --> 00:16:18,228
into the business
in those years.
286
00:16:20,480 --> 00:16:22,190
While my mother decided that
287
00:16:22,190 --> 00:16:24,859
she wanted to make a large move
to the West Coast,
288
00:16:25,110 --> 00:16:26,611
but she wanted to do it alone.
289
00:16:28,363 --> 00:16:29,948
When my parents separated,
290
00:16:29,948 --> 00:16:31,533
and my father
gained custody of us,
291
00:16:32,742 --> 00:16:34,327
it was a very confusing time,
292
00:16:34,327 --> 00:16:36,871
and we were torn that my mother
wasn't here.
293
00:16:37,914 --> 00:16:39,541
To help fill that void,
294
00:16:39,541 --> 00:16:41,251
my father said, "You're
going to earn your keep."
295
00:16:41,876 --> 00:16:46,464
I found myself working here
as a busboy at the age of 13.
296
00:16:46,464 --> 00:16:47,799
It was a good
distraction for me.
297
00:16:48,049 --> 00:16:49,342
It kept me busy.
298
00:16:49,342 --> 00:16:50,969
He enjoyed it,
and I certainly
299
00:16:50,969 --> 00:16:52,721
appreciated having the help.
300
00:16:52,721 --> 00:16:54,723
As a young man,
he was a father that pointed
301
00:16:54,973 --> 00:16:56,266
me in the right direction.
302
00:16:56,516 --> 00:16:58,351
He would always stress
education.
303
00:16:58,351 --> 00:17:01,020
And then as I came into
the business, he was my boss.
304
00:17:01,271 --> 00:17:02,564
I'm sure you remember,
305
00:17:02,814 --> 00:17:04,357
remind
you about the cookies?
306
00:17:04,357 --> 00:17:05,859
- They're all ready to go.
- Okay, great.
307
00:17:05,859 --> 00:17:07,569
We're gonna have that
on Thursday.
308
00:17:07,569 --> 00:17:09,070
It's going to be a big hit
'cause we're gonna...
309
00:17:09,070 --> 00:17:10,697
He always said
in this business,
310
00:17:10,947 --> 00:17:13,283
it's not only location,
location, location,
311
00:17:13,283 --> 00:17:15,660
but it's the details,
details, details.
312
00:17:15,660 --> 00:17:17,662
I was staying with
him at his house when I was
313
00:17:17,662 --> 00:17:20,498
working here as a busboy,
and one day, my uncle called me
314
00:17:20,749 --> 00:17:23,460
up to the office and
said that I had failed
315
00:17:23,460 --> 00:17:26,463
to make my bed before
leaving the house for the day.
316
00:17:26,463 --> 00:17:29,883
So I was sent home to
fix that before continuing
317
00:17:30,133 --> 00:17:31,718
on with my workday.
318
00:17:31,968 --> 00:17:34,679
My father was hard on me, making
sure that details were met.
319
00:17:34,679 --> 00:17:36,806
But Jason never
envisioned a long-term
320
00:17:37,056 --> 00:17:38,641
future in the family business.
321
00:17:38,892 --> 00:17:40,935
I had studied finance
and economics in college,
322
00:17:41,186 --> 00:17:43,605
and when I graduated,
my father picked me up and said,
323
00:17:43,605 --> 00:17:45,398
"What are you going
to do with your life now?"
324
00:17:45,398 --> 00:17:46,900
And I said, I don't know.
325
00:17:46,900 --> 00:17:48,401
He goes, "Well,
why don't you come work
326
00:17:48,651 --> 00:17:50,320
back in the family
business with me,
327
00:17:50,320 --> 00:17:52,197
and let's see how it goes."
328
00:17:52,697 --> 00:17:55,658
It was the spring of 1990,
and we noticed that there were
329
00:17:55,658 --> 00:17:57,660
a lot of people on the streets
here late at night,
330
00:17:57,660 --> 00:17:59,412
a lot of bars and clubs.
331
00:17:59,662 --> 00:18:03,374
Ratner's, Katz's
Delicatessen, and Kiev were
332
00:18:03,666 --> 00:18:07,337
serving up 24/7 Eastern
European fare in the East Village.
333
00:18:07,587 --> 00:18:10,632
For Veselka,
it was just a matter of time.
334
00:18:10,632 --> 00:18:14,260
We decided, let's try opening
overnight on weekends at first.
335
00:18:14,260 --> 00:18:15,929
I was going to be
the one responsible for it,
336
00:18:16,179 --> 00:18:17,639
so I took it on.
337
00:18:17,889 --> 00:18:21,392
The bars would close,
people stone-tripping wild.
338
00:18:21,392 --> 00:18:23,228
{\an8}2, 3 o'clock in the morning,
you could come here,
339
00:18:23,478 --> 00:18:25,605
{\an8}and there were
great scenes going on.
340
00:18:25,605 --> 00:18:28,024
Our mural says,
"We serve soup to nuts."
341
00:18:28,399 --> 00:18:31,569
The city that never
sleeps definitely has its share
342
00:18:31,569 --> 00:18:34,113
of characters that walk
the streets late at night.
343
00:18:34,614 --> 00:18:36,324
It was a huge
success right off the bat.
344
00:18:36,950 --> 00:18:38,326
And a few months later,
345
00:18:38,326 --> 00:18:39,911
we decided to do it
7 days a week.
346
00:18:40,161 --> 00:18:42,121
I would typically come
in at 4 or 5 in the afternoon
347
00:18:42,121 --> 00:18:44,624
and stay all the way
through 6 or 7 the next morning.
348
00:18:44,624 --> 00:18:46,376
There's not a lot of people
that would take that on.
349
00:18:46,751 --> 00:18:48,127
And eventually
he got sick of doing that,
350
00:18:48,127 --> 00:18:49,254
so that was a conversation.
351
00:18:50,380 --> 00:18:53,716
We always had a cordial
relationship over the years,
352
00:18:53,967 --> 00:18:57,262
but our relationship
was business-like.
353
00:18:57,720 --> 00:19:00,932
When we gathered for family
gatherings, he was my father,
354
00:19:00,932 --> 00:19:02,225
but we would always
end up talking business.
355
00:19:02,892 --> 00:19:04,686
{\an8}Jason would
call his father "Tom,"
356
00:19:04,686 --> 00:19:06,271
{\an8}instead of "Dad" or something,
357
00:19:06,521 --> 00:19:08,982
{\an8}and there was no hugs,
there was a handshake.
358
00:19:08,982 --> 00:19:10,984
That, to me,
was kind of shocking.
359
00:19:11,234 --> 00:19:14,487
Veselka is so interwoven
to the fabric of their lives.
360
00:19:14,487 --> 00:19:17,866
The line is blurred, I think,
between, you know,
361
00:19:17,866 --> 00:19:21,119
outside the walls of the
restaurant and-- and, you know,
362
00:19:21,119 --> 00:19:22,829
personal life at home.
363
00:19:23,663 --> 00:19:25,415
In that sense,
I never had a father
364
00:19:25,415 --> 00:19:28,668
growing up in the business.
365
00:19:28,668 --> 00:19:31,045
{\an8}I remember him
always talking to his uncle,
366
00:19:31,045 --> 00:19:34,173
{\an8}Mykola, every day,
not only for the business,
367
00:19:34,424 --> 00:19:37,594
{\an8}but for anything that he needed.
368
00:19:37,844 --> 00:19:43,433
And I just felt,
um, maybe a disconnect.
369
00:19:43,433 --> 00:19:45,518
I felt like
an overworked employee
370
00:19:45,518 --> 00:19:47,145
and not a family member.
371
00:19:47,395 --> 00:19:48,938
So when Jason had
an opportunity to start
372
00:19:49,188 --> 00:19:52,025
a similar business in
Hawaii, he jumped on it.
373
00:19:52,025 --> 00:19:54,110
But that was
a bad time to go away.
374
00:19:57,113 --> 00:20:01,075
In 1996, we closed and did
a major renovation expansion,
375
00:20:01,326 --> 00:20:04,537
and he wasn't there for that,
and honestly, I kind of,
376
00:20:04,787 --> 00:20:06,956
you know,
resented that a little bit.
377
00:20:08,124 --> 00:20:11,502
I think he said,
"You'll be back,"
378
00:20:11,502 --> 00:20:14,172
um, but he wasn't happy.
379
00:20:14,172 --> 00:20:16,424
So that's when
this wall came down.
380
00:20:16,424 --> 00:20:18,635
We took over 2 more stores,
381
00:20:18,635 --> 00:20:21,596
and that's when we went full
bore into the restaurant
382
00:20:21,846 --> 00:20:24,682
business and gave up
the remnants of the candy store,
383
00:20:24,933 --> 00:20:27,769
which was
kind of a scary proposition.
384
00:20:28,645 --> 00:20:32,690
I was there morning, noon,
and night for a few months.
385
00:20:32,690 --> 00:20:35,360
{\an8}It was me and my
general manager, Gerhard,
386
00:20:35,610 --> 00:20:37,946
{\an8}went through that together.
387
00:20:37,946 --> 00:20:40,114
{\an8}I remember Sally saying,
"You came as close to having
388
00:20:40,365 --> 00:20:44,077
{\an8}a heart attack as I've ever
seen you," because we reopened
389
00:20:44,077 --> 00:20:47,413
with a place twice as big,
and literally within 20 minutes
390
00:20:47,413 --> 00:20:49,457
of opening the door,
we filled up.
391
00:20:51,584 --> 00:20:54,879
The entire
place flowed differently.
392
00:20:56,631 --> 00:20:58,967
A lot of it was me
running around like,
393
00:20:59,217 --> 00:21:00,969
"Okay, spoons,
where are the spoons?"
394
00:21:00,969 --> 00:21:02,720
Where's the butter?
Where's the sour cream?
395
00:21:02,720 --> 00:21:04,263
Where's--"
396
00:21:04,263 --> 00:21:05,306
I needed help.
397
00:21:06,557 --> 00:21:10,311
And obviously having
a family member is invaluable.
398
00:21:11,479 --> 00:21:14,816
Several years later,
it never panned out in Hawaii.
399
00:21:15,066 --> 00:21:18,486
The timing was actually
very apropos, it was Y2K,
400
00:21:18,486 --> 00:21:22,240
it was December of 1999,
and the end of the world was
401
00:21:22,240 --> 00:21:24,409
going to be happening,
but, uh...
402
00:21:25,243 --> 00:21:29,664
my father courted me
and asked me, "Listen,
403
00:21:29,914 --> 00:21:31,666
if you're still
interested in the business,
404
00:21:31,666 --> 00:21:33,543
there's room for--
405
00:21:33,543 --> 00:21:35,169
I'll make room for you.
406
00:21:35,420 --> 00:21:36,796
I could use your help."
407
00:21:38,673 --> 00:21:43,428
My father, my heart
and soul was here in Veselka.
408
00:21:47,390 --> 00:21:51,686
But as time wore on
and I became a father myself,
409
00:21:52,311 --> 00:21:55,440
I began to have
a better understanding of
410
00:21:55,690 --> 00:21:58,401
the relationship I've had
with my father over the years.
411
00:21:59,944 --> 00:22:05,033
The birth of my daughter
brought my father and I closer.
412
00:22:05,033 --> 00:22:06,659
Whatever
family time that we had,
413
00:22:06,909 --> 00:22:09,120
my father kept family family.
414
00:22:12,540 --> 00:22:14,250
You learn
these things over time.
415
00:22:15,251 --> 00:22:16,586
I'm grateful and thankful for
416
00:22:16,836 --> 00:22:18,921
the relationship
that I have with him now.
417
00:22:20,631 --> 00:22:21,883
Veselka, may I help you?
418
00:22:23,634 --> 00:22:25,178
Yeah, hold it please.
419
00:22:25,178 --> 00:22:26,554
Over the years,
I've kind of let him
420
00:22:26,804 --> 00:22:29,682
take more and more
of a leadership role
421
00:22:29,682 --> 00:22:33,269
as I get more comfortable
seeing him develop and learn.
422
00:22:33,269 --> 00:22:37,690
2013, 2014,
we began to start discussing
423
00:22:37,690 --> 00:22:40,443
what's going to happen
when and if he retired.
424
00:22:40,443 --> 00:22:46,074
{\an8}In 2015, I came in and I said,
"So Tom, what do you think?
425
00:22:46,074 --> 00:22:47,992
{\an8}You think it's
time for a new mural?"
426
00:22:48,701 --> 00:22:52,330
"Eh, well, maybe, I don't know,
this one's still popular."
427
00:22:52,330 --> 00:22:54,999
Jason said, "No, it's time for
a new mural, it's time.
428
00:22:55,249 --> 00:22:57,710
Dad, I'll take care of this."
429
00:22:57,960 --> 00:23:00,546
And at that moment, I saw,
you know, the shift,
430
00:23:00,546 --> 00:23:03,257
and I went, "Yeah, baby."
431
00:23:03,257 --> 00:23:06,677
And it just
so happened that he took
432
00:23:06,677 --> 00:23:10,223
over Veselka right
when the pandemic hit.
433
00:23:10,473 --> 00:23:11,849
He grew up with this food.
434
00:23:12,100 --> 00:23:14,227
His grandmother would
make this type of food.
435
00:23:14,227 --> 00:23:15,603
This is really home for him.
436
00:23:15,853 --> 00:23:17,605
Unfortunately,
with the pandemic,
437
00:23:17,605 --> 00:23:20,983
he didn't know whether
Veselka was going to
438
00:23:20,983 --> 00:23:23,069
continue to exist or not.
439
00:23:23,069 --> 00:23:24,779
During some
of the hardest times,
440
00:23:25,029 --> 00:23:27,657
Veselka stayed open
and people just gathered
441
00:23:27,657 --> 00:23:30,660
here to support each
other and find strength.
442
00:23:30,910 --> 00:23:36,165
{\an8}This corner was a good
locus for people to feel
443
00:23:36,165 --> 00:23:38,292
there was a-- a supportive
place to go.
444
00:23:38,292 --> 00:23:43,297
We've had 9/11,
we've had Sandy, and, you know,
445
00:23:43,297 --> 00:23:46,300
it was important to give
people a place to come together.
446
00:23:46,300 --> 00:23:50,263
But when COVID hit,
I didn't feel comfortable
447
00:23:50,513 --> 00:23:52,265
really being in the city.
448
00:23:52,265 --> 00:23:55,601
They started bringing in
the refrigerated morgue trucks.
449
00:23:56,477 --> 00:23:59,564
COVID definitely sped
up the retirement plan.
450
00:23:59,564 --> 00:24:01,899
Amidst
the worldwide pandemic,
451
00:24:02,150 --> 00:24:06,571
Tom would pass Jason the torch,
a true trial by fire.
452
00:24:06,821 --> 00:24:08,823
In the week
leading up to our closure,
453
00:24:09,073 --> 00:24:12,201
I would work the days,
Vitalii would do the nights,
454
00:24:12,201 --> 00:24:14,287
risking, you know,
who knew what.
455
00:24:14,871 --> 00:24:17,290
We closed down so quickly,
456
00:24:17,290 --> 00:24:20,126
everyone was just in disbelief
about what was happening.
457
00:24:20,918 --> 00:24:22,628
{\an8}You know,
when you spend your life
458
00:24:22,628 --> 00:24:26,340
{\an8}dedicated to helping
people or feeding people
459
00:24:26,591 --> 00:24:28,843
{\an8}and being there through crises,
460
00:24:29,093 --> 00:24:30,720
{\an8}and all of a sudden,
you're not there.
461
00:24:30,970 --> 00:24:32,597
{\an8}I mean, you feel
like you pulled the rug
462
00:24:32,847 --> 00:24:34,098
{\an8}out from underneath them.
463
00:24:34,599 --> 00:24:36,058
All the love I ge-- I get
464
00:24:36,309 --> 00:24:37,894
from that place, it's just...
465
00:24:39,187 --> 00:24:41,063
it's really incredible.
466
00:24:43,065 --> 00:24:45,735
As the city
granted outdoor dining,
467
00:24:45,985 --> 00:24:49,864
the community showed its love
for Veselka in a major way.
468
00:24:50,114 --> 00:24:53,117
I'm constantly amazed
that people will sit out there
469
00:24:53,367 --> 00:24:57,914
in freezing temperatures just to
be together and enjoy our food.
470
00:24:58,164 --> 00:25:00,499
And I would walk out of the
restaurant and say thank you,
471
00:25:00,499 --> 00:25:02,960
to everybody,
because if it wasn't for them,
472
00:25:03,211 --> 00:25:04,962
then we would never
get through this hard time.
473
00:25:05,213 --> 00:25:06,505
It was unbelievable.
474
00:25:06,756 --> 00:25:08,257
We opened up for
10 or 12 hours a day,
475
00:25:08,507 --> 00:25:10,468
and people were
stopping by saying,
476
00:25:10,468 --> 00:25:12,637
"Thank God you guys are
still doing well."
477
00:25:12,887 --> 00:25:15,556
And, you know, "Stay the course,
we're gonna beat this."
478
00:25:15,556 --> 00:25:19,602
Somebody said to me, when was
the first time you were here?
479
00:25:19,602 --> 00:25:21,604
And it was in the late 50s.
480
00:25:21,854 --> 00:25:24,106
- Oh, really?
- I was here. Oh, yeah.
481
00:25:24,106 --> 00:25:27,276
And you don't
want to break good habits,
482
00:25:27,526 --> 00:25:29,111
and it's a good habit.
483
00:25:29,362 --> 00:25:32,365
The foundation of this
business is its customers
484
00:25:32,365 --> 00:25:34,659
and what it's
meant to the community.
485
00:25:34,909 --> 00:25:37,536
That's what's allowed
it to weather many storms
486
00:25:37,787 --> 00:25:40,039
for nearly 70 years now.
487
00:25:40,289 --> 00:25:43,542
Everything that could be thrown
at me has been thrown at me,
488
00:25:43,793 --> 00:25:46,879
and we're still there,
and so bring it on.
489
00:25:58,474 --> 00:26:00,393
Russia,
under Vladimir Putin,
490
00:26:00,393 --> 00:26:03,521
has launched what U.S.
officials describe as the most
491
00:26:03,521 --> 00:26:07,692
significant military action
in Europe in 77 years.
492
00:26:07,942 --> 00:26:09,944
Dozens dead,
many more injured,
493
00:26:10,194 --> 00:26:12,029
including civilians.
494
00:26:12,280 --> 00:26:14,198
Explosions and air
raid sirens have been heard in
495
00:26:14,448 --> 00:26:17,326
several Ukrainian cities,
including the capital, Kiev.
496
00:26:17,576 --> 00:26:19,161
And the U.S. fears
497
00:26:19,161 --> 00:26:21,038
the goal is to
take over the country.
498
00:26:21,038 --> 00:26:24,750
Jason was like, "Oh, my God,
I can't believe the news."
499
00:26:25,001 --> 00:26:27,628
And look,
I'm getting all choked up.
500
00:26:28,796 --> 00:26:31,048
H-How can a bully do this?
501
00:26:33,009 --> 00:26:36,804
Innocent lives. Children.
502
00:26:37,096 --> 00:26:38,889
I-I don't understand.
503
00:26:42,893 --> 00:26:44,520
Cabbage.
504
00:26:45,604 --> 00:26:47,440
Carrots and celery...
505
00:26:47,440 --> 00:26:49,191
When the war started,
we obviously wanted to help.
506
00:26:49,191 --> 00:26:53,362
...potato, beans, and pork.
507
00:26:54,739 --> 00:26:57,450
We thought it was very
appropriate for us to donate all
508
00:26:57,450 --> 00:27:00,453
the borscht sales to a local
nonprofit that we support.
509
00:27:00,453 --> 00:27:04,832
People who don't know what
to do, or who feel like I do,
510
00:27:04,832 --> 00:27:06,459
uh, will go to Veselka
511
00:27:06,459 --> 00:27:08,627
and feel like, "Okay,
I'm doing something."
512
00:27:10,796 --> 00:27:12,214
- Hi. Donation?
- Yeah.
513
00:27:12,214 --> 00:27:13,841
- Of course.
- I'll take it.
514
00:27:14,091 --> 00:27:16,635
Whether it's buying
borscht or whether it's
515
00:27:16,635 --> 00:27:18,763
donating clothes or money...
516
00:27:21,849 --> 00:27:23,476
Uh, I'll take it.
517
00:27:24,852 --> 00:27:26,228
{\an8}Oh, my gosh.
518
00:27:26,479 --> 00:27:29,940
We just started this
drive 3 or 4 days ago.
519
00:27:32,276 --> 00:27:33,652
How high can we pile this?
520
00:27:35,279 --> 00:27:36,405
I think that might be enough.
521
00:27:36,697 --> 00:27:38,407
- You have a donation?
- Place to-- Yeah.
522
00:27:38,407 --> 00:27:39,867
Yeah, just drop it right here,
and we'll take it.
523
00:27:40,117 --> 00:27:41,911
- Oh, okay.
- Thank you so much.
524
00:27:46,123 --> 00:27:48,250
With donations in tow,
525
00:27:48,250 --> 00:27:50,878
Jason and Tom
head to 7th Street,
526
00:27:51,128 --> 00:27:53,297
to what many consider
the beating heart
527
00:27:53,547 --> 00:27:56,509
- of little Ukraine.
528
00:27:56,509 --> 00:27:59,428
Since 1905,
almost as long as there
529
00:27:59,428 --> 00:28:02,681
has been a Ukrainian
community in Manhattan,
530
00:28:02,681 --> 00:28:06,018
the St. George Ukrainian
Catholic Church has been a place
531
00:28:06,268 --> 00:28:09,397
for the neighborhood to
gather for solace and hope.
532
00:28:22,952 --> 00:28:27,331
Today, it is a staging area to
support the war relief effort.
533
00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:30,376
{\an8}
534
00:28:33,462 --> 00:28:34,922
{\an8}- We got boxes in here.
Mm-hmm.
535
00:28:35,172 --> 00:28:36,549
{\an8}They're repacking
our boxes in here.
536
00:28:36,549 --> 00:28:38,050
{\an8}There's just a lot of stuff.
537
00:28:39,468 --> 00:28:41,929
{\an8}
538
00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:48,185
{\an8}
They're overwhelmed in there.
539
00:28:48,185 --> 00:28:50,604
{\an8}They can't get the boxes
picked up in time,
540
00:28:50,855 --> 00:28:52,106
and they need financial help.
541
00:28:52,398 --> 00:28:54,316
So I'm going to try
to find a way to get them
542
00:28:54,567 --> 00:28:56,902
the financial support
from the borscht sales,
543
00:28:57,153 --> 00:28:58,446
so they're going to
give me the details tomorrow.
544
00:29:03,993 --> 00:29:06,036
That's, uh,
that's the National Anthem.
545
00:29:36,692 --> 00:29:38,486
So, yeah, unfortunately,
we're not taking money
546
00:29:38,486 --> 00:29:39,653
or check donations
because we're--
547
00:29:39,904 --> 00:29:41,530
just, it's very complicated.
548
00:29:41,530 --> 00:29:43,365
She just wanted to
leave a personal check for cash.
549
00:29:43,365 --> 00:29:44,658
- Oh, really?
- Yes.
550
00:29:44,909 --> 00:29:46,494
I kinda want to do that.
551
00:29:47,328 --> 00:29:48,913
You know what,
I had an old-time guy,
552
00:29:49,163 --> 00:29:51,540
maybe you know who he was,
he wants to shake my hand,
553
00:29:51,540 --> 00:29:53,626
so he goes,
"Put this to the war chest."
554
00:29:53,626 --> 00:29:55,961
So I'm thinking maybe
he'll give me $20, $40.
555
00:29:56,212 --> 00:29:58,005
He goes,
"Did you see what I gave you?"
556
00:29:58,005 --> 00:30:01,008
And I took it out,
gave me $500-- 5 $100 bills.
557
00:30:01,008 --> 00:30:02,426
I wonder who that was.
558
00:30:02,676 --> 00:30:04,595
I don't know, Smitty,
he said his name was.
559
00:30:04,595 --> 00:30:06,180
Oh, I know, yes.
560
00:30:06,430 --> 00:30:08,057
- A guy named Smitty, maybe?
- I know a guy named Smitty.
561
00:30:08,682 --> 00:30:09,892
{\an8}This has become
my shipping center.
562
00:30:09,892 --> 00:30:11,352
{\an8}- Yes.
Ice packs.
563
00:30:11,352 --> 00:30:12,811
{\an8}It's great.
564
00:30:13,062 --> 00:30:14,772
{\an8}Well, now we're concerned
where it's going to go,
565
00:30:15,022 --> 00:30:17,024
{\an8}where it's going to live
once it's gone out of here.
566
00:30:17,274 --> 00:30:18,859
We've been
talking about renovating
567
00:30:18,859 --> 00:30:21,278
the place for maybe 20
years since the last time
568
00:30:21,529 --> 00:30:23,989
my father did
a major renovation in 1996.
569
00:30:24,698 --> 00:30:27,368
{\an8}It came to fruition when
our neighbor of almost 40 years,
570
00:30:27,368 --> 00:30:30,079
{\an8}Pam Pier, the owner
of Dinosaur Hill, retired.
571
00:30:30,329 --> 00:30:31,914
I love it in here.
572
00:30:31,914 --> 00:30:34,333
She gave us
the opportunity to
573
00:30:34,333 --> 00:30:36,210
expand into the final space.
574
00:30:36,669 --> 00:30:40,256
We're going to go
from about 76 seats to 109.
575
00:30:40,506 --> 00:30:41,924
So when you're here right now,
576
00:30:42,174 --> 00:30:43,759
you can look towards
the front of the restaurant.
577
00:30:43,759 --> 00:30:45,052
You get a lot of light,
you know, it's open.
578
00:30:45,052 --> 00:30:46,637
You can see right to the street.
579
00:30:46,637 --> 00:30:48,097
- I think--
- By keeping this,
580
00:30:48,097 --> 00:30:49,056
I understand
what you're trying to say.
581
00:30:49,306 --> 00:30:50,516
As the guys work to
582
00:30:50,516 --> 00:30:52,226
renovate for a bigger future,
583
00:30:52,226 --> 00:30:55,521
they revisit their past
for cautionary tales.
584
00:30:55,521 --> 00:30:58,691
A 2010 restaurant
called Veselka Bowery.
585
00:30:58,691 --> 00:31:01,569
What I wanted to do
at Bowery in a way was
586
00:31:01,569 --> 00:31:03,070
build my dream restaurant.
587
00:31:03,320 --> 00:31:06,073
We could have this to
protect the longevity of
588
00:31:06,323 --> 00:31:07,658
the business for Jason.
589
00:31:07,908 --> 00:31:12,746
{\an8}It was a upscale
Eastern European restaurant.
590
00:31:12,997 --> 00:31:16,709
It was on East 1st Street
between 2nd and the Bowery,
591
00:31:16,709 --> 00:31:18,752
and we called it Veselka Bowery.
592
00:31:18,752 --> 00:31:20,212
But it wasn't Veselka.
593
00:31:20,212 --> 00:31:22,006
The feeling
that's in this restaurant
594
00:31:22,298 --> 00:31:25,259
i-is probably almost
impossible to duplicate.
595
00:31:25,509 --> 00:31:28,637
The wear and tear, it's
kind of built in over the years.
596
00:31:28,637 --> 00:31:32,266
Ultimately,
Bowery didn't succeed.
597
00:31:32,266 --> 00:31:34,768
So with this renovation,
I'm going to pay really close
598
00:31:35,019 --> 00:31:36,520
attention to the details.
599
00:31:36,520 --> 00:31:38,731
The paneling on the walls,
the flooring.
600
00:31:38,981 --> 00:31:40,983
The bathroom needs to
be absolutely bulletproof.
601
00:31:40,983 --> 00:31:42,651
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
602
00:31:42,651 --> 00:31:44,695
We need, like, prison-quality
indestructibility.
603
00:31:44,945 --> 00:31:46,280
- Stainless steel toilets?
- Stainless steel toilets?
604
00:31:46,280 --> 00:31:48,115
- Yeah.
- Don't laugh.
605
00:31:48,115 --> 00:31:50,868
{\an8}No, I-- I've put those
into restaurants, yeah.
606
00:31:50,868 --> 00:31:52,870
{\an8}It's a real challenge,
because we do want to kind
607
00:31:52,870 --> 00:31:54,580
{\an8}of have it be
clean and efficient,
608
00:31:54,830 --> 00:31:57,166
{\an8}but we don't want
it to look like a Starbucks.
609
00:31:57,166 --> 00:31:58,417
Okay.
610
00:31:58,667 --> 00:32:00,044
And I'm happy to have Justin.
611
00:32:00,294 --> 00:32:01,545
Justin has some
experience with construction.
612
00:32:01,795 --> 00:32:04,006
Part of my
involvement is trying to
613
00:32:04,256 --> 00:32:06,675
help preserve
the soul of what Veselka is.
614
00:32:06,925 --> 00:32:09,470
And most importantly,
Justin wants to avoid
615
00:32:09,470 --> 00:32:12,681
the potential challenges
in working with family.
616
00:32:12,681 --> 00:32:15,476
One of the biggest
differences is the main soffit
617
00:32:15,476 --> 00:32:20,147
over the kitchen has
been moved forward about 2 feet.
618
00:32:20,147 --> 00:32:21,649
That's this,
with the menu boards on it.
619
00:32:21,899 --> 00:32:23,275
I'm just worried about
closing the space off too
620
00:32:23,275 --> 00:32:24,652
much and bringing
it too far forward.
621
00:32:24,902 --> 00:32:26,654
Yeah, that's a good point.
622
00:32:26,904 --> 00:32:29,281
Pulling that forward, we get to
put all the ductwork behind it.
623
00:32:29,531 --> 00:32:30,949
- Yeah.
- Okay.
624
00:32:31,200 --> 00:32:32,826
And then I also just
625
00:32:33,077 --> 00:32:37,206
brought this stone, uh,
just for you guys to see.
626
00:32:37,206 --> 00:32:38,874
- For the counter?
- Yeah.
627
00:32:38,874 --> 00:32:40,042
- That's an interesting idea.
- You know, just--
628
00:32:40,042 --> 00:32:41,293
I like that.
629
00:32:42,002 --> 00:32:45,422
We do the tile plus the stone
top it'll be a very big change.
630
00:32:45,422 --> 00:32:47,049
It'll be
a totally different look.
631
00:32:48,092 --> 00:32:50,719
So, listen, I get
the point they're talking about.
632
00:32:50,969 --> 00:32:52,388
You know,
we need the smoke baffle.
633
00:32:52,388 --> 00:32:53,847
That's code.
634
00:32:54,098 --> 00:32:55,724
But the thing we got
to remember is the counter
635
00:32:55,974 --> 00:32:58,227
line's gonna come
back to where I'm standing.
636
00:32:58,477 --> 00:33:00,562
They're proposing,
initially, to put the menu
637
00:33:00,562 --> 00:33:02,106
boards all the way here.
638
00:33:02,356 --> 00:33:03,691
- Right.
- So I'm just saying,
639
00:33:03,982 --> 00:33:05,859
if we don't need it to come
that far forward,
640
00:33:06,110 --> 00:33:07,653
let's push it back
as far as we can.
641
00:33:07,903 --> 00:33:10,698
As of January of this
year, Justin was hired.
642
00:33:10,948 --> 00:33:12,741
He's joined me full-time
and has really kept my
643
00:33:12,991 --> 00:33:14,326
nose to the grindstone.
644
00:33:14,993 --> 00:33:16,662
I consider Justin my brother.
645
00:33:17,371 --> 00:33:19,331
As early as I can remember,
I looked up to him,
646
00:33:19,581 --> 00:33:22,334
and when we were
discussing the possibility of
647
00:33:22,334 --> 00:33:23,961
me joining the team,
648
00:33:23,961 --> 00:33:25,796
the number one thing
Tom brought up to me was,
649
00:33:26,046 --> 00:33:28,632
it's important that we
protect the family business,
650
00:33:28,632 --> 00:33:32,177
but if something
goes sour and you damage
651
00:33:32,177 --> 00:33:33,595
your relationship with
your family,
652
00:33:33,595 --> 00:33:36,724
that's-- that's much worse.
653
00:33:37,015 --> 00:33:39,143
How was your day today,
?
654
00:33:39,143 --> 00:33:40,769
It's been another long day.
655
00:33:41,019 --> 00:33:43,564
{\an8}People have been lining
up since early in the morning,
656
00:33:43,814 --> 00:33:47,568
{\an8}9, 9:30, for indoor
and outdoor dining.
657
00:33:47,568 --> 00:33:52,781
It's just been a constant flow
of people coming to sympathize.
658
00:33:53,031 --> 00:33:55,075
And the line, still...?
659
00:33:55,576 --> 00:33:56,952
It's still going on.
It's still going-- Yeah.
660
00:33:57,244 --> 00:33:59,163
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
They're standing all day long.
661
00:33:59,413 --> 00:34:01,081
- 30 pierogis, please.
- When you see the mayor
662
00:34:01,081 --> 00:34:03,041
tomorrow, are you gonna
talk to him about what's
663
00:34:03,041 --> 00:34:04,543
gonna happen
with the outdoor dining?
664
00:34:04,543 --> 00:34:06,545
So the scout team called.
665
00:34:06,545 --> 00:34:08,005
They now want a table.
666
00:34:08,005 --> 00:34:09,465
It was initially for
four people.
667
00:34:09,465 --> 00:34:11,175
- He's bringing 10 people.
- What?
668
00:34:11,842 --> 00:34:13,302
I mean, this is amazing.
669
00:34:13,302 --> 00:34:16,430
Since your dad retired,
the pandemic hit,
670
00:34:16,430 --> 00:34:18,223
and now there's a war.
671
00:34:18,223 --> 00:34:20,058
We haven't even
gotten to the renovation.
672
00:34:21,435 --> 00:34:23,771
He gets home
around 10, 10:30 at night.
673
00:34:24,021 --> 00:34:25,898
Sofia's already sleeping,
674
00:34:26,148 --> 00:34:28,692
{\an8}and I-- I barely have
one eye open,
675
00:34:28,942 --> 00:34:30,819
{\an8}trying to stay awake,
at least to say hello when
676
00:34:31,069 --> 00:34:32,404
he walks in the door.
677
00:34:34,198 --> 00:34:37,534
Mentally, he's there 24/7.
678
00:34:37,534 --> 00:34:39,703
That can put a toll on a person.
679
00:34:43,832 --> 00:34:46,919
{\an8}Overall, I've spent
more time here at work
680
00:34:46,919 --> 00:34:48,462
{\an8}than I have spent
with my daughter.
681
00:34:48,754 --> 00:34:52,591
So I think of this as a labor
of love, a child of mine.
682
00:34:53,133 --> 00:34:55,636
He works extremely hard
683
00:34:55,636 --> 00:34:57,846
and gets what
this place is about.
684
00:34:59,515 --> 00:35:01,850
And in a way,
it's more real to him
685
00:35:02,100 --> 00:35:03,602
because he's half Ukrainian.
686
00:35:03,852 --> 00:35:05,771
Sometimes, you know,
he starts to talk in Ukrainian,
687
00:35:06,021 --> 00:35:07,397
like, a few words.
688
00:35:07,397 --> 00:35:08,607
It's so funny.
689
00:35:08,857 --> 00:35:10,234
Jason speak Ukrainian
better than
690
00:35:10,484 --> 00:35:12,569
every Russian
you're gonna meet in your life.
691
00:35:14,154 --> 00:35:16,073
Maybe he doesn't speak fluent,
692
00:35:16,073 --> 00:35:18,492
but he understand
what he's talking about.
693
00:35:23,080 --> 00:35:24,122
Oh, okay.
694
00:35:31,380 --> 00:35:32,422
I'm so sorry.
695
00:35:49,898 --> 00:35:52,943
These are
the signs of the times.
696
00:35:57,281 --> 00:36:02,369
{\an8}Daily reminders for Jason that
there will be many challenges...
697
00:36:10,460 --> 00:36:12,421
{\an8}...and long days ahead.
698
00:36:13,881 --> 00:36:20,762
{\an8}♪
699
00:36:32,107 --> 00:36:36,528
{\an8}
700
00:36:48,999 --> 00:36:50,834
Day 12 of the invasion.
701
00:36:51,084 --> 00:36:52,544
{\an8}
702
00:36:52,794 --> 00:36:55,213
{\an8}And there is no letup
in the Russian shelling,
703
00:36:55,464 --> 00:36:59,676
{\an8}despite a proposal from Moscow
to create safe escape routes.
704
00:36:59,676 --> 00:37:00,719
Morning.
705
00:37:03,013 --> 00:37:04,681
- How'd you sleep?
- Good.
706
00:37:04,681 --> 00:37:07,476
These poor,
innocent people, families,
707
00:37:07,476 --> 00:37:09,186
were going through all this,
708
00:37:09,186 --> 00:37:10,562
and for what?
709
00:37:10,812 --> 00:37:13,106
For a bully who just
wanted some property.
710
00:37:17,653 --> 00:37:18,695
No, no, no.
711
00:37:20,113 --> 00:37:21,490
It's a busy day.
712
00:37:21,740 --> 00:37:23,575
We have to think of this
as a war on a free world,
713
00:37:23,825 --> 00:37:27,955
a democracy, and keep the
pressure on our local officials
714
00:37:27,955 --> 00:37:29,581
that Putin needs to be stopped.
715
00:37:31,041 --> 00:37:32,542
{\an8}Jason and Tom Birchard.
716
00:37:32,542 --> 00:37:33,877
{\an8}- How are you, Mr. Mayor?
How you doing, Tom?
717
00:37:33,877 --> 00:37:35,587
{\an8}No, this is Tom. I'm Jason.
718
00:37:35,587 --> 00:37:37,339
{\an8}This is a family business.
719
00:37:37,339 --> 00:37:38,966
{\an8}- That is a nice style
Very happy to have you here.
720
00:37:38,966 --> 00:37:41,093
- We're father and son.
- Father and son?
721
00:37:41,093 --> 00:37:42,886
I thought you were
gonna say brothers.
722
00:37:42,886 --> 00:37:43,845
That's what I thought.
723
00:37:44,096 --> 00:37:45,639
Thank you so much.
724
00:37:45,639 --> 00:37:47,516
{\an8}New York State and New York City
are the most
725
00:37:47,766 --> 00:37:50,644
{\an8}Ukrainian states and cities
in the world.
726
00:37:50,894 --> 00:37:51,937
{\an8}- That's true.
We agree.
727
00:37:52,229 --> 00:37:54,523
It is absolutely marvelous
728
00:37:54,523 --> 00:37:56,650
how people are
stand with Ukraine.
729
00:37:56,900 --> 00:37:58,735
And not just Ukrainians.
730
00:37:58,986 --> 00:38:02,239
All New Yorkers.
We need you to continue that.
731
00:38:02,239 --> 00:38:03,991
- Right, right.
- Say that New Yorkers
732
00:38:03,991 --> 00:38:05,701
- stand with Ukraine.
- Right, right.
733
00:38:05,701 --> 00:38:07,119
It's an atrocity what's
going on there, Mr. Mayor.
734
00:38:07,119 --> 00:38:08,537
I'm sure you're
well aware of it.
735
00:38:08,787 --> 00:38:10,539
Yes, yes, no, it is.
It really is, you know?
736
00:38:14,376 --> 00:38:18,880
Some journalists say it is a
sort of indiscriminate bombing.
737
00:38:18,880 --> 00:38:20,799
- No.
- It's targeted.
738
00:38:21,049 --> 00:38:23,927
It's absolutely targeted
and on purpose bombing
739
00:38:24,177 --> 00:38:26,805
on residential areas,
targeting kindergartens,
740
00:38:27,055 --> 00:38:31,476
targeting hospitals, targeting
other civilian objects.
741
00:38:31,476 --> 00:38:37,774
They want like barbarians
sit here all over Ukraine.
742
00:38:37,774 --> 00:38:39,693
So we need-- we need help.
743
00:38:39,943 --> 00:38:43,655
Even just so vitally needed
thing like bulletproof vests
744
00:38:43,655 --> 00:38:45,657
for our military.
745
00:38:45,657 --> 00:38:49,036
If you give us those list
of items, you know,
746
00:38:49,286 --> 00:38:52,497
that are needed,
we could really focus on that.
747
00:38:52,497 --> 00:38:54,124
Bon appetit.
Now what do you say--
748
00:38:54,124 --> 00:38:55,667
- what do you say in Ukrainian?
- Smachnoho.
749
00:38:55,667 --> 00:38:58,545
- Smachnoho.
- Smachnoho. Smachnoho.
750
00:38:58,837 --> 00:39:00,714
This is really good.
751
00:39:00,714 --> 00:39:02,716
We were rated one of
the best 24 hours in the city,
752
00:39:02,966 --> 00:39:05,469
but because of all
the mandates and everything
753
00:39:05,469 --> 00:39:07,054
that's been going on,
754
00:39:07,054 --> 00:39:09,056
we haven't been able
to find a proper staff.
755
00:39:09,056 --> 00:39:11,558
But also, we need your
commitment to help with
756
00:39:11,558 --> 00:39:13,935
these outdoor seating
and the outdoor...
757
00:39:13,935 --> 00:39:16,104
Tell me, what needs to be done?
758
00:39:16,104 --> 00:39:19,066
Where should I begin?
759
00:39:21,276 --> 00:39:23,070
I can get you a piece of paper
if you want.
760
00:39:23,070 --> 00:39:24,529
- Nah, nah.
- You like napkins?
761
00:39:26,156 --> 00:39:27,240
What's that say?
762
00:39:27,491 --> 00:39:28,825
"Lift the mandates."
763
00:39:30,660 --> 00:39:33,622
{\an8}
764
00:39:33,622 --> 00:39:35,499
Simple statements.
765
00:39:35,499 --> 00:39:37,876
Obviously,
that's been a big, big help,
766
00:39:37,876 --> 00:39:39,252
what you're doing with that.
767
00:39:39,503 --> 00:39:41,463
We gotta get crime under
control, the petty crime.
768
00:39:41,463 --> 00:39:44,257
- Right.
- The homelessness, the EDPs.
769
00:39:44,508 --> 00:39:45,842
- Right.
- They run rampant
770
00:39:45,842 --> 00:39:47,761
and they terrorize
our customers.
771
00:39:48,011 --> 00:39:49,346
It's not a good way
to promote business.
772
00:39:49,596 --> 00:39:52,099
- Yeah, no, well said.
- And then no--
773
00:39:53,850 --> 00:39:55,685
As he was eating,
he was giving a thumbs up here
774
00:39:55,936 --> 00:39:58,146
and a thumbs-- You know,
I really don't know if he was
775
00:39:58,146 --> 00:40:00,649
really paying attention
to the full conversation.
776
00:40:00,649 --> 00:40:02,442
Somebody in his position,
I guess, has got to have
777
00:40:02,442 --> 00:40:05,570
really big ears to hear
everything and multitask.
778
00:40:05,570 --> 00:40:07,614
- Right.
- I think clearly Jason has to
779
00:40:07,864 --> 00:40:11,118
be the leader at the local level
to help Ukraine.
780
00:40:11,118 --> 00:40:14,371
People say that
this is the hardest job.
781
00:40:14,371 --> 00:40:16,123
And I keep saying
to myself, like,
782
00:40:16,123 --> 00:40:17,624
"When does the hard part start?"
783
00:40:17,624 --> 00:40:20,877
- Wow.
- There's not one day
784
00:40:20,877 --> 00:40:22,379
that I felt overwhelmed.
785
00:40:22,379 --> 00:40:24,756
I felt pain with
the loss of my offices.
786
00:40:25,006 --> 00:40:27,300
But this job,
787
00:40:27,300 --> 00:40:30,053
this is probably one of
the easiest jobs I've ever had.
788
00:40:30,053 --> 00:40:31,638
- Really?
- Yeah, yeah.
789
00:40:31,638 --> 00:40:33,431
- Yeah.
- Wow.
790
00:40:33,431 --> 00:40:35,308
We want you to try one
of these stuffed cabbages here.
791
00:40:35,559 --> 00:40:36,893
- Okay.
- This is for you only.
792
00:40:37,144 --> 00:40:38,770
This is for you.
793
00:40:39,020 --> 00:40:40,188
- Thank you, brother.
- Vegan, totally vegan.
794
00:40:40,438 --> 00:40:41,565
How are you,
how are you?
795
00:40:41,565 --> 00:40:42,649
I'm maintaining.
796
00:40:42,899 --> 00:40:44,151
Good, man. Good, good.
797
00:40:44,401 --> 00:40:45,777
Good, one day at a time.
798
00:40:46,027 --> 00:40:48,155
Uh, well, I'm trying
to do one hour at a time.
799
00:40:48,155 --> 00:40:49,656
Calling my family
back every minute.
800
00:40:49,906 --> 00:40:51,575
Yeah,
I hope they're well, okay?
801
00:40:51,575 --> 00:40:53,451
- 'Cause where in Ukraine?
- Kiev.
802
00:40:54,536 --> 00:40:56,538
Can you make touch
for your family?
803
00:40:56,538 --> 00:40:58,165
Every day, every hour.
804
00:40:58,165 --> 00:40:59,541
That is great to hear.
805
00:41:01,793 --> 00:41:07,299
I know that it is not in the
power of the city, of the city,
806
00:41:07,299 --> 00:41:09,092
to close the skies over Ukraine.
807
00:41:09,092 --> 00:41:11,803
But you can light
the skies every night
808
00:41:11,803 --> 00:41:13,680
with Ukrainian colors.
809
00:41:13,680 --> 00:41:15,098
That's how I decided to do so.
810
00:41:15,348 --> 00:41:19,853
{\an8}
811
00:41:20,103 --> 00:41:24,441
Today we meet to raise
Ukraine's flag
812
00:41:24,441 --> 00:41:26,234
for the very first time
here at Bowling Green.
813
00:41:26,484 --> 00:41:29,112
And today the raising
of the flags represents
814
00:41:29,362 --> 00:41:31,823
that we are united together.
815
00:41:31,823 --> 00:41:38,163
{\an8}
816
00:41:38,413 --> 00:41:42,083
As this is going on now,
almost a day shy of a month,
817
00:41:42,083 --> 00:41:43,960
it really feels
like a bad dream.
818
00:41:44,252 --> 00:41:45,962
It really feels like an episode
of The Twilight Zone, even.
819
00:41:50,675 --> 00:41:54,012
The tone at the restaurant,
it's getting very somber.
820
00:41:54,262 --> 00:41:56,264
My employees feel helpless.
821
00:41:57,140 --> 00:41:59,893
But even now, even after
a month of Vitalii's father
822
00:42:00,143 --> 00:42:02,103
hunkered in his basement
or in subway tunnels,
823
00:42:02,103 --> 00:42:03,897
they tell me that we wanna
come and we wanna work,
824
00:42:04,147 --> 00:42:06,024
we wanna be with
other Ukrainians.
825
00:42:07,025 --> 00:42:10,737
And now,
they wanna tell their stories.
826
00:42:10,737 --> 00:42:13,240
{\an8}A few weeks into the war,
827
00:42:13,240 --> 00:42:17,869
{\an8}I was not sleeping,
I was not eating, I was...
828
00:42:21,081 --> 00:42:22,540
{\an8}I couldn't live my normal life
829
00:42:22,791 --> 00:42:24,584
{\an8}because of things
happening back home,
830
00:42:24,584 --> 00:42:26,795
{\an8}and I decided I wanted to go.
831
00:42:27,045 --> 00:42:29,130
At that particular moment,
832
00:42:29,130 --> 00:42:33,134
my dad, he asked me not to
make anything stupid like that.
833
00:42:33,134 --> 00:42:35,553
He said that as long as
I remain over here,
834
00:42:35,804 --> 00:42:38,932
my family has a chance
in the future,
835
00:42:39,182 --> 00:42:40,558
in the worst-case scenario.
836
00:42:41,476 --> 00:42:44,562
I lived in Kiev, Ukraine,
20 years of my life,
837
00:42:44,813 --> 00:42:46,940
and those were happy 20 years.
838
00:42:47,190 --> 00:42:51,194
And then right after college,
I decided to go to the US,
839
00:42:51,194 --> 00:42:54,698
and two weeks after I landed,
I started working here.
840
00:42:54,948 --> 00:42:58,660
And I've been with Veselka
for almost ten years.
841
00:42:58,910 --> 00:43:01,037
Vitalii has moved up
through the ranks at Veselka,
842
00:43:01,288 --> 00:43:04,541
from being a busboy
to a waiter to a manager.
843
00:43:04,791 --> 00:43:06,835
And now also my roommate.
844
00:43:07,085 --> 00:43:09,045
This way? This way, please.
845
00:43:09,296 --> 00:43:11,464
He's been very frugal
and has saved money,
846
00:43:11,715 --> 00:43:13,842
so he made an offer
on an apartment,
847
00:43:13,842 --> 00:43:15,719
and it fell through
for some reason.
848
00:43:16,511 --> 00:43:19,180
But I told him, "You're always
welcome to come live with me."
849
00:43:26,396 --> 00:43:29,816
Over the years, I was
becoming a part of the family.
850
00:43:31,026 --> 00:43:35,363
Besides being my boss, Jason
and Tom are my friends as well.
851
00:43:35,363 --> 00:43:37,324
- How are you?
- Morning. How you doing, man?
852
00:43:37,324 --> 00:43:38,783
- I'm good. Good to see you.
- Good to see you.
853
00:43:39,034 --> 00:43:41,036
The way that they treat
people personally is
854
00:43:41,286 --> 00:43:45,081
a direct reflection about what
makes this place so special.
855
00:43:45,081 --> 00:43:46,583
- Good to see you.
- How you doing, boss?
856
00:43:46,583 --> 00:43:48,376
Tom, good to see you.
857
00:43:48,376 --> 00:43:49,419
{\an8}Hey, hey!
858
00:43:50,045 --> 00:43:51,713
{\an8}I do remember you.
I remember you.
859
00:43:51,963 --> 00:43:53,631
{\an8}Yes, I remember you.
860
00:43:53,631 --> 00:43:55,216
I like to think
of everybody as family.
861
00:43:55,216 --> 00:43:57,302
Everybody has come to me
and asked for advice,
862
00:43:57,302 --> 00:43:59,888
asked for loans,
asked for guarantees.
863
00:44:00,138 --> 00:44:02,474
{\an8}- How are you?
I'm okay.
864
00:44:02,474 --> 00:44:03,641
{\an8}I don't know how to start,
865
00:44:03,892 --> 00:44:06,227
{\an8}so just gonna tell you
how it is.
866
00:44:06,227 --> 00:44:08,730
You know that we moved
parents to Poland,
867
00:44:08,730 --> 00:44:12,150
and because they don't have,
like, much savings,
868
00:44:12,150 --> 00:44:14,277
they planning on
moving back to Ukraine.
869
00:44:15,195 --> 00:44:17,364
And, um, probably
I'm gonna need your help
870
00:44:17,614 --> 00:44:18,907
to bring my parents over here.
871
00:44:19,282 --> 00:44:21,951
In the past, when you had
to go through the process
872
00:44:22,202 --> 00:44:25,622
of sponsoring anybody,
it was a several-year process
873
00:44:25,622 --> 00:44:29,000
in terms of supplying
the proper documents
874
00:44:29,250 --> 00:44:32,462
and, you know,
getting attorneys involved.
875
00:44:32,462 --> 00:44:35,048
So I heard about this program
Unite for Ukraine.
876
00:44:35,799 --> 00:44:38,593
So basically you need to have
somebody in the United States,
877
00:44:38,843 --> 00:44:41,763
like family,
or you need to find a sponsor.
878
00:44:42,013 --> 00:44:45,266
So we're looking to bring--
How many people to apply for?
879
00:44:45,517 --> 00:44:47,644
It's gonna be four.
880
00:44:47,644 --> 00:44:49,437
It's not gonna be just Mom
and Dad
881
00:44:49,437 --> 00:44:51,606
because my mom and aunt,
they're twins.
882
00:44:51,606 --> 00:44:53,650
They're not gonna
come here separately.
883
00:44:53,650 --> 00:44:55,944
Remind me, where were they
in Ukraine before?
884
00:44:56,194 --> 00:44:59,280
My mom and dad from Nikolaev,
885
00:44:59,280 --> 00:45:01,825
and my aunt and uncle,
they're from Nova Kakhovka.
886
00:45:02,075 --> 00:45:03,535
How far is that from Nikolaev?
887
00:45:03,785 --> 00:45:07,080
Before war, it was,
like, hour and a half by car.
888
00:45:07,330 --> 00:45:09,541
- And now?
- Eleven hours.
889
00:45:09,541 --> 00:45:11,042
They pass, like,
ten checkpoints.
890
00:45:11,292 --> 00:45:12,627
You need to get,
like, undressed.
891
00:45:12,877 --> 00:45:14,712
They checking tattoos,
they checking the car.
892
00:45:14,963 --> 00:45:17,507
Even it was, like, two kids
and three ladies in the car.
893
00:45:19,509 --> 00:45:21,678
So not one, not two, but four.
894
00:45:21,928 --> 00:45:22,971
- Four.
- Yeah.
895
00:45:23,221 --> 00:45:24,639
Now we're trying
to get them here.
896
00:45:26,558 --> 00:45:27,600
Please.
897
00:45:38,403 --> 00:45:39,821
Let's do it.
898
00:45:41,656 --> 00:45:43,658
- I love you.
- I love you too, man.
899
00:45:45,285 --> 00:45:46,369
Thank you.
900
00:45:46,744 --> 00:45:48,746
I don't say no.
901
00:45:48,997 --> 00:45:50,415
I'm a yes man.
902
00:45:51,040 --> 00:45:52,459
With any key employees,
903
00:45:52,459 --> 00:45:54,461
we explored
getting them legalized.
904
00:45:54,461 --> 00:45:56,087
One of them being Vitalii,
905
00:45:56,087 --> 00:45:58,089
another being Ivan the grillman.
906
00:45:59,048 --> 00:46:01,926
{\an8}It's a long, tedious process
of a lot of paperwork,
907
00:46:02,177 --> 00:46:03,928
{\an8}and it's costly.
908
00:46:04,179 --> 00:46:07,557
But Mr. Jason, Mr. Tom said yes
without even thinking about it,
909
00:46:07,807 --> 00:46:11,728
and then Veselka
sponsored me for a green card.
910
00:46:24,699 --> 00:46:26,284
{\an8}You know?
911
00:46:26,284 --> 00:46:27,660
Hopefully my wife is
not gonna be mad at me,
912
00:46:27,911 --> 00:46:30,371
but he's the one
who keep me here.
913
00:46:30,622 --> 00:46:32,540
So, yeah.
If not him, I would left.
914
00:46:33,416 --> 00:46:34,959
Dima is
one of the strongest
915
00:46:35,210 --> 00:46:38,296
and most resilient guys
here working.
916
00:46:38,296 --> 00:46:40,965
Unfortunately, because
of the war, he wanted to go
917
00:46:41,216 --> 00:46:44,010
very much early on and
still has the desire, but...
918
00:46:44,010 --> 00:46:46,429
I just feel bad because
of my friends is there
919
00:46:46,679 --> 00:46:49,265
and I'm here, and like
most of them is in the army,
920
00:46:49,265 --> 00:46:53,520
so I just don't feel okay
to, like, be okay.
921
00:46:57,524 --> 00:46:59,484
I think we came to a realization
922
00:46:59,484 --> 00:47:01,778
that we can help
the guys on the front.
923
00:47:01,778 --> 00:47:03,363
Different collections,
924
00:47:03,613 --> 00:47:07,450
and Dima bought, I don't know
how many armor plates
925
00:47:07,700 --> 00:47:09,536
that were hand-carried
to the front.
926
00:47:09,786 --> 00:47:13,957
We're saving lives from here
as best as we can.
927
00:47:27,095 --> 00:47:30,598
{\an8}We've invited you here today to
spend a couple of hours with us
928
00:47:30,848 --> 00:47:33,518
{\an8}on a bike ride
to show solidarity
929
00:47:33,518 --> 00:47:36,854
{\an8}with the struggling and
suffering people of Ukraine.
930
00:47:37,105 --> 00:47:43,194
{\an8}
931
00:48:21,107 --> 00:48:24,110
{\an8}
As the 12-mile ride wraps up,
932
00:48:24,110 --> 00:48:27,572
{\an8}the annual Ukrainian festival
is starting two blocks south.
933
00:48:27,572 --> 00:48:29,115
{\an8}Oh, here's Veselka!
934
00:48:29,115 --> 00:48:31,117
{\an8}
A reminder of the traditions
935
00:48:31,367 --> 00:48:35,288
{\an8}at the heart of this shrinking
little Ukrainian community.
936
00:48:35,288 --> 00:48:37,415
This is my best bud.
We need to get him a hot dog.
937
00:48:37,415 --> 00:48:39,292
You'd like a hot dog?
938
00:48:39,292 --> 00:48:40,543
That's actually a parówka.
939
00:48:40,793 --> 00:48:42,545
We get it from
the Ukrainian butcher.
940
00:48:42,795 --> 00:48:46,507
- It's really good.
- Vitalii! Hi, roomie!
941
00:48:46,507 --> 00:48:48,134
He's busy, he's busy.
942
00:48:50,094 --> 00:48:52,889
For Vitalii,
the event is a reminder of home.
943
00:48:55,892 --> 00:48:57,435
While he puts on a good face
944
00:48:57,685 --> 00:48:59,395
- for his surrogate family...
- Very good.
945
00:48:59,395 --> 00:49:01,147
...his biological one...
946
00:49:01,397 --> 00:49:04,025
- If I earned this, so did you.
- ...is still a world away.
947
00:49:04,025 --> 00:49:06,110
All three of you, smile!
948
00:49:07,278 --> 00:49:11,407
{\an8}
949
00:49:11,407 --> 00:49:16,120
{\an8}
950
00:49:59,122 --> 00:50:04,085
{\an8}
951
00:50:19,559 --> 00:50:22,729
{\an8}When the war began, the
process of sponsoring anybody,
952
00:50:22,729 --> 00:50:24,772
it was a multi-year process.
953
00:50:25,481 --> 00:50:27,692
What's happening now with
uniting for Ukraine,
954
00:50:27,942 --> 00:50:30,027
everything was done
online very quickly.
955
00:50:30,820 --> 00:50:32,989
Somebody could be here
as quick as a month.
956
00:50:32,989 --> 00:50:35,491
{\an8}
957
00:50:39,996 --> 00:50:42,039
{\an8}
Such is the case for Dima,
958
00:50:42,039 --> 00:50:44,917
{\an8}reunited with his mother,
his aunt,
959
00:50:45,168 --> 00:50:49,046
{\an8}his father, and his uncle
in just under a month.
960
00:50:49,297 --> 00:50:51,883
{\an8}
961
00:51:44,936 --> 00:51:47,563
{\an8}So some of the idea
of the new space,
962
00:51:47,563 --> 00:51:49,232
{\an8}this wall gets broken down,
963
00:51:49,232 --> 00:51:51,609
{\an8}because what's gonna happen,
the office is gonna
964
00:51:51,609 --> 00:51:54,946
{\an8}- move over there.
Oh. Oh!
965
00:51:55,196 --> 00:51:58,157
In 1980, I was doing
some creative sign work
966
00:51:58,157 --> 00:52:00,701
around the East Village
when Tom Birchard said,
967
00:52:00,701 --> 00:52:02,078
"I could use a sign."
968
00:52:02,954 --> 00:52:04,705
So when I came over
to check out the space,
969
00:52:04,956 --> 00:52:06,833
I knew immediately
I didn't wanna do a sign.
970
00:52:06,833 --> 00:52:08,334
I wanted to do a mural.
971
00:52:08,334 --> 00:52:10,127
And it's still out there.
972
00:52:10,628 --> 00:52:12,380
Over the next 40 years,
973
00:52:12,672 --> 00:52:17,093
I've painted probably
15 different murals here.
974
00:52:17,385 --> 00:52:19,136
It's been sort of a quirky,
975
00:52:19,136 --> 00:52:22,014
East Village, iconic element
of the restaurant
976
00:52:22,265 --> 00:52:23,850
that make Veselka what it is.
977
00:52:24,308 --> 00:52:25,893
It's been fascinating, also,
978
00:52:26,143 --> 00:52:29,730
to watch Charnick's development.
979
00:52:31,816 --> 00:52:33,734
Tom was great,
because pretty much anything
980
00:52:33,985 --> 00:52:35,862
I kind of wanted
to come up with, he said,
981
00:52:35,862 --> 00:52:36,904
yeah, just do it, do it.
982
00:52:38,573 --> 00:52:40,116
It became my showcase.
983
00:52:40,908 --> 00:52:43,661
♪ Shake it up baby,
twist and shout ♪
984
00:52:43,661 --> 00:52:45,621
He's kind of a funny
kind of hustler kind of guy,
985
00:52:45,872 --> 00:52:49,292
so he'd figure out a way
for us to sell his work
986
00:52:49,542 --> 00:52:52,628
so we could hire him again
to paint another one.
987
00:52:52,628 --> 00:52:54,881
You're not recording
what I'm saying, are you?
988
00:52:55,172 --> 00:52:56,591
I'll deny all of it.
989
00:52:56,591 --> 00:52:59,302
But he's still with us.
He's a big ally.
990
00:52:59,552 --> 00:53:01,888
It's gonna go just about
in there like that,
991
00:53:01,888 --> 00:53:03,514
at a sort of an angle.
992
00:53:03,514 --> 00:53:05,308
Why did you choose
purple on the left?
993
00:53:06,309 --> 00:53:07,977
How did you choose these two?
994
00:53:08,561 --> 00:53:10,021
{\an8}First of all,
how dare you?
995
00:53:10,021 --> 00:53:11,564
{\an8}-
Okay.
996
00:53:11,814 --> 00:53:13,608
{\an8}I'm just trying
to understand your logic.
997
00:53:13,858 --> 00:53:15,151
{\an8}I'm kidding.
998
00:53:15,151 --> 00:53:16,903
Then the war starts in Ukraine.
999
00:53:21,449 --> 00:53:24,035
And I thought, wow,
here's an idea.
1000
00:53:24,035 --> 00:53:26,787
How about I do
a mural on canvas,
1001
00:53:26,787 --> 00:53:29,874
basically saying,
"We will rise from the ashes,
1002
00:53:30,124 --> 00:53:31,292
and the rubble."
1003
00:53:32,001 --> 00:53:34,211
So I called Jason and I said,
"What do you think of this?"
1004
00:53:34,211 --> 00:53:36,589
And right away, his passion
for the Ukraine effort
1005
00:53:36,839 --> 00:53:38,591
was so strong, he said,
"Let's do it."
1006
00:53:46,474 --> 00:53:48,225
Okay, good, good.
1007
00:53:48,726 --> 00:53:50,645
You even see the way
the lighting is hitting it.
1008
00:53:50,645 --> 00:53:51,687
- I love it.
- It's shining.
1009
00:53:56,442 --> 00:53:58,694
My grandfather would be very
proud to see this.
1010
00:54:20,424 --> 00:54:21,592
Another day.
1011
00:54:23,052 --> 00:54:24,261
Back to routine.
1012
00:54:25,638 --> 00:54:28,432
If nothing else,
for a sense of normalcy.
1013
00:54:29,016 --> 00:54:31,978
But today isn't any normal day.
1014
00:54:31,978 --> 00:54:33,270
Let's drop this down
here today.
1015
00:54:33,688 --> 00:54:35,606
{\an8}You guys are aware today
is Ukrainian Independence Day?
1016
00:54:35,856 --> 00:54:36,857
{\an8}Did you know that?
1017
00:54:37,483 --> 00:54:39,735
{\an8}- Oh, no, I didn't.
Now you do.
1018
00:54:39,986 --> 00:54:43,739
An Independence Day
marked by six months of war.
1019
00:54:50,246 --> 00:54:53,290
Imagine a July Fourth
in the United States
1020
00:54:53,541 --> 00:54:55,418
where there are no fireworks,
1021
00:54:55,960 --> 00:54:57,962
there are no barbecues,
1022
00:54:58,421 --> 00:55:00,631
and you're huddled
inside your home,
1023
00:55:00,881 --> 00:55:02,174
with no electricity,
1024
00:55:02,967 --> 00:55:06,762
waiting for the air raid
siren to stop.
1025
00:55:09,015 --> 00:55:11,267
So, I-- thank-- thank you
for recognizing this day.
1026
00:55:11,267 --> 00:55:12,643
{\an8}I mean, a lot of people--
I mean, obviously,
1027
00:55:12,893 --> 00:55:14,603
{\an8}it's an important day
in Ukraine,
1028
00:55:14,854 --> 00:55:16,731
{\an8}but a lot of people don't know
that the war is ongoing, and...
1029
00:55:17,231 --> 00:55:19,942
Vitalii, longtime employee,
Ukrainian,
1030
00:55:19,942 --> 00:55:21,652
- parents are still in Kyiv.
- Oh.
1031
00:55:21,902 --> 00:55:22,778
So.
1032
00:55:23,029 --> 00:55:24,196
It's heartbreaking.
1033
00:55:24,447 --> 00:55:25,614
The war rages,
and Vitalii's parents
1034
00:55:25,614 --> 00:55:26,949
don't feel comfortable leaving.
1035
00:55:27,366 --> 00:55:29,577
He's trying his best,
but he needs a boost.
1036
00:55:29,577 --> 00:55:32,288
Tonight, there is
a charity event at the US Open.
1037
00:55:32,580 --> 00:55:34,081
Andrew!
1038
00:55:34,081 --> 00:55:34,957
And they are honoring
Veselka.
1039
00:55:35,207 --> 00:55:36,709
Thank you for coming tonight,
1040
00:55:36,959 --> 00:55:39,170
and being part of this special
event at the US Open.
1041
00:55:39,170 --> 00:55:40,963
{\an8}Oh, yes, I'm looking
forward to that.
1042
00:55:40,963 --> 00:55:42,631
{\an8}Oh. Me and my whole family.
1043
00:55:42,882 --> 00:55:44,341
{\an8}- Everyone is going.
Please tell me how it is.
1044
00:55:44,592 --> 00:55:46,343
Unfortunately, as you know,
I'm not gonna be here,
1045
00:55:46,594 --> 00:55:49,847
but Justin and Vitalii are
gonna be our representatives.
1046
00:55:50,097 --> 00:55:52,099
I think they'll do their best.
1047
00:55:52,349 --> 00:55:55,603
And when you watch TV,
do you recognize the buildings?
1048
00:55:55,603 --> 00:55:57,313
Not anymore.
1049
00:55:57,313 --> 00:55:58,606
Did you think about
going back and fighting?
1050
00:55:59,148 --> 00:56:01,358
Yes, but my parents insisted.
1051
00:56:01,358 --> 00:56:02,651
- I agree with your parents.
- They made sure,
1052
00:56:02,902 --> 00:56:04,195
I would never go back there
and fight.
1053
00:56:04,195 --> 00:56:05,154
- Yeah, yeah.
- Because I--
1054
00:56:05,404 --> 00:56:07,448
if I go-- if I go back there,
1055
00:56:07,448 --> 00:56:09,700
worst-case scenario, they have
no other options in the future.
1056
00:56:09,700 --> 00:56:12,745
It can't happen.
How many kids in your family?
1057
00:56:13,037 --> 00:56:14,455
Oh, no. No.
1058
00:56:15,122 --> 00:56:16,707
I'm glad to meet you,
1059
00:56:16,707 --> 00:56:18,334
but I hope not to see you
in another six months.
1060
00:56:18,334 --> 00:56:19,502
- Exactly.
- You know why.
1061
00:56:19,752 --> 00:56:21,378
- I know why. I know why.
- Thank you.
1062
00:56:24,340 --> 00:56:26,801
Are you feeling good
about tonight?
1063
00:56:27,426 --> 00:56:28,969
I'm not in the best
mood right now,
1064
00:56:29,220 --> 00:56:30,846
but I'm pretty sure I'll be
in a better mood by--
1065
00:56:31,097 --> 00:56:32,348
by the time we get there.
1066
00:56:32,973 --> 00:56:35,267
You're gonna be on the court
representing us,
1067
00:56:35,518 --> 00:56:38,562
and you'll have the opportunity
to play tennis
1068
00:56:38,562 --> 00:56:40,606
with some of the stars,
including Rafael Nadal.
1069
00:56:40,856 --> 00:56:42,858
So, I hope you brushed up
on your game,
1070
00:56:43,109 --> 00:56:44,485
and are able to compete
with him.
1071
00:56:44,485 --> 00:56:45,986
I'll get it figured out.
1072
00:56:45,986 --> 00:56:47,655
I heard he's got
a mean slice.
1073
00:56:48,447 --> 00:56:50,324
He's got a mean ace.
1074
00:56:52,201 --> 00:56:53,619
Let's stop the traffic here.
1075
00:56:53,619 --> 00:56:55,371
You know, we only got
a few minutes,
1076
00:56:55,371 --> 00:56:56,789
- so, let's take advantage of it.
- I don't know if, uh...
1077
00:56:58,165 --> 00:57:00,835
Vitalii, I think you need
a little practice.
1078
00:57:02,419 --> 00:57:04,213
Let's do this.
Let me see that backhand.
1079
00:57:05,714 --> 00:57:07,842
All right.
1080
00:57:08,092 --> 00:57:09,301
The net's a little bit higher.
1081
00:57:15,766 --> 00:57:17,351
I don't think he's gonna--
1082
00:57:17,351 --> 00:57:19,145
- Oh, Justin.
- I'm not the ball boy.
1083
00:57:19,145 --> 00:57:20,312
- You're ball boy.
- No, I'm not.
1084
00:57:20,563 --> 00:57:21,814
I didn't say
I was a pro.
1085
00:57:24,358 --> 00:57:26,068
All right.
I think we got it.
1086
00:57:34,660 --> 00:57:35,703
Wow.
1087
00:57:37,204 --> 00:57:38,247
Feel loose?
1088
00:57:42,626 --> 00:57:44,920
{\an8}I was telling Justin
I watched the CNBC thing.
1089
00:57:44,920 --> 00:57:47,006
{\an8}It was really cool.
With your interview about...
1090
00:57:47,673 --> 00:57:49,175
{\an8}- Veselka, and--
Yeah.
1091
00:57:50,134 --> 00:57:51,260
Yeah, I wish it never happened.
1092
00:57:51,552 --> 00:57:53,345
I-- I didn't care
for the interview.
1093
00:57:53,345 --> 00:57:54,680
I just wish that it--
the whole thing never happened.
1094
00:57:54,680 --> 00:57:55,764
- Yeah.
- You know what I'm saying?
1095
00:57:55,764 --> 00:57:57,099
Of course. Yeah. Absolutely.
1096
00:58:26,670 --> 00:58:28,505
Slava Ukraine!
1097
00:58:28,881 --> 00:58:30,007
Anthony?
1098
00:58:30,549 --> 00:58:33,594
Vitalii and Justin on the ESPN.
1099
00:58:34,553 --> 00:58:35,930
What?
1100
00:58:35,930 --> 00:58:38,015
Yeah. Vitalii and Justin
on ESPN.
1101
00:58:38,265 --> 00:58:39,934
ESPN, playing tennis.
1102
00:58:40,184 --> 00:58:41,352
Nice, bro.
1103
00:58:41,352 --> 00:58:43,729
Right here in New York City,
1104
00:58:44,772 --> 00:58:48,317
There's a restaurant in the
little Ukraine neighborhood.
1105
00:58:48,317 --> 00:58:49,360
Veselka.
1106
00:58:49,610 --> 00:58:51,445
- Oh, that's cool.
- Wow.
1107
00:58:51,862 --> 00:58:53,739
Since the beginning of the war,
1108
00:58:53,739 --> 00:58:56,158
when we began donating
the soup proceeds,
1109
00:58:56,408 --> 00:58:59,787
uh, we've raised over $250,000,
1110
00:58:59,787 --> 00:59:02,414
which is 3,000 gallons of soup.
1111
00:59:03,165 --> 00:59:05,542
We feel this support every day.
1112
00:59:06,001 --> 00:59:07,795
I'm very thankful
to the community
1113
00:59:08,045 --> 00:59:10,256
of Manhattan, New York.
1114
00:59:10,506 --> 00:59:12,549
People from other states
came by.
1115
00:59:12,549 --> 00:59:13,676
They just want
to show their support.
1116
00:59:14,051 --> 00:59:15,344
They want to say
that they care.
1117
00:59:15,594 --> 00:59:17,179
I highly appreciate that.
1118
00:59:17,888 --> 00:59:19,556
- Thank you, Vitalii.
- Thank you very much, guys.
1119
00:59:19,807 --> 00:59:22,059
Let's bring the players out,
ready for the coin toss.
1120
00:59:22,059 --> 00:59:23,519
John McEnroe. Look at that.
1121
00:59:23,769 --> 00:59:24,895
I mean, he's so intense.
1122
00:59:26,355 --> 00:59:28,065
We've got a racket.
You guys went with Vitalii?
1123
00:59:28,315 --> 00:59:29,441
Rafael Nadal.
1124
00:59:29,817 --> 00:59:31,235
Come on, Vitalii.
Let's see what we've got.
1125
00:59:31,819 --> 00:59:32,987
Look, he's taking
his shirt off.
1126
00:59:33,237 --> 00:59:34,697
Rafael, what do you think?
1127
00:59:34,947 --> 00:59:36,782
- You think he can handle you?
1128
00:59:36,782 --> 00:59:38,784
Take your shirt off, V.
1129
00:59:40,995 --> 00:59:42,621
- What do I do now?
- Huh?
1130
00:59:42,871 --> 00:59:44,665
- Tell me, what do I do now?
- Yeah, just look at the ball.
1131
00:59:44,665 --> 00:59:46,542
Just hit it, yeah?
1132
00:59:46,542 --> 00:59:47,501
Get that ball.
1133
00:59:47,751 --> 00:59:49,378
Come on, Vitalii. Aie!
1134
00:59:50,796 --> 00:59:52,798
- Come on.
- That was close.
1135
00:59:53,048 --> 00:59:55,676
Oh, I'm scared for when
I have to start playing.
1136
00:59:55,676 --> 00:59:57,469
Oh, my gosh.
Okay, let's go.
1137
00:59:57,761 --> 00:59:59,054
Here we go.
1138
00:59:59,054 --> 01:00:00,306
- Just like-- woo!
- Yes.
1139
01:00:03,475 --> 01:00:04,935
- There we go.
- Here we go.
1140
01:00:04,935 --> 01:00:06,478
Oh, he's getting better
and better.
1141
01:00:06,729 --> 01:00:08,522
- Come on, Justin.
- All right.
1142
01:00:08,814 --> 01:00:10,357
Here we go, let's
hear it for the Veselka guys!
1143
01:00:12,067 --> 01:00:13,569
Woo-hoo!
1144
01:00:13,569 --> 01:00:15,696
Thank you,
gentlemen.
1145
01:00:15,696 --> 01:00:17,239
I'm not sure
if I did well.
1146
01:00:18,240 --> 01:00:20,826
I'm glad we're giving all
the support we can to Ukraine.
1147
01:00:21,577 --> 01:00:23,746
I'm also thankful to my Veselka
family that's been
1148
01:00:23,996 --> 01:00:25,831
supporting me personally,
1149
01:00:25,831 --> 01:00:27,374
all the Ukrainian staff.
1150
01:00:28,125 --> 01:00:29,960
Thank you very much for all
of your support.
1151
01:00:30,502 --> 01:00:31,628
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Vitalii.
1152
01:00:31,628 --> 01:00:33,005
Well done. Well said, Vitalii.
1153
01:00:33,547 --> 01:00:35,716
A brief moment
of joy,
1154
01:00:35,966 --> 01:00:38,886
and a break from the realities
of this war.
1155
01:00:39,345 --> 01:00:41,764
Much-needed fuel
for the present,
1156
01:00:42,556 --> 01:00:44,266
and for what's to come.
1157
01:00:44,516 --> 01:00:46,268
So, it works well
then, yes?
1158
01:00:46,268 --> 01:00:47,728
Yeah, oh, okay,
that's great, yeah.
1159
01:00:47,978 --> 01:00:48,854
I know it's a lot bigger,
1160
01:00:49,104 --> 01:00:51,106
but a lot more power, too.
1161
01:00:52,066 --> 01:00:54,401
New ovens are good?
Everything else is working okay?
1162
01:00:54,401 --> 01:00:55,986
Everything okay.
1163
01:00:56,236 --> 01:00:57,654
Good. It's nice to
actually have four working ovens
1164
01:00:57,654 --> 01:00:59,656
instead of two.
1165
01:00:59,656 --> 01:01:00,699
And they're hot.
1166
01:01:02,618 --> 01:01:04,495
So, the renovation
is still going as planned.
1167
01:01:04,745 --> 01:01:07,581
I mean, we postponed it
for this-- this year.
1168
01:01:07,581 --> 01:01:10,584
Is there a date you'd like
to commit for the closing date?
1169
01:01:11,377 --> 01:01:13,545
I-- I was thinking April First,
but maybe...
1170
01:01:13,796 --> 01:01:15,297
I'd like to do it
a little sooner.
1171
01:01:15,297 --> 01:01:17,633
Well, I-- I really don't see
March One as a--
1172
01:01:17,633 --> 01:01:19,343
- a-- a realistic target date.
- You don't?
1173
01:01:19,593 --> 01:01:21,178
- No.
- Why not?
1174
01:01:21,178 --> 01:01:23,138
If we have all the drawings
in by Jan. One,
1175
01:01:23,138 --> 01:01:24,515
then going out to bid
in two months,
1176
01:01:24,765 --> 01:01:26,517
you think we can go--
get to construction?
1177
01:01:26,517 --> 01:01:28,227
Two to three weeks is plenty
1178
01:01:28,227 --> 01:01:31,313
to get a bid back,
and then two weeks to mobilize.
1179
01:01:31,939 --> 01:01:33,565
I mean, honestly,
I don't want to have to go
1180
01:01:33,565 --> 01:01:35,567
back through what we went
through this summer.
1181
01:01:35,567 --> 01:01:37,569
The A.C. is just not keeping up,
1182
01:01:37,569 --> 01:01:40,280
and we know we're going
to do this anyway.
1183
01:01:40,280 --> 01:01:41,907
We need to just bite the bullet,
and do it.
1184
01:01:42,950 --> 01:01:45,452
I understood the challenge
of working for family,
1185
01:01:45,452 --> 01:01:47,830
working myself,
working for my father.
1186
01:01:47,830 --> 01:01:49,164
I felt things were...
1187
01:01:49,790 --> 01:01:51,417
uh, moving at a slower pace
1188
01:01:51,667 --> 01:01:53,377
than what I would've,
uh, preferred.
1189
01:01:53,627 --> 01:01:55,546
He has a lot of my bad habits.
1190
01:01:55,546 --> 01:01:58,048
He does a lot of the things
that I don't like about myself.
1191
01:01:58,048 --> 01:01:59,716
Back in the early 2000s,
1192
01:02:00,342 --> 01:02:03,512
we were having a discussion
about something that I made
1193
01:02:03,512 --> 01:02:06,140
a decision on that I didn't get
clearance from him,
1194
01:02:06,140 --> 01:02:08,600
and he made very clear to me,
he says,
1195
01:02:09,101 --> 01:02:11,437
"Let's remember whose role
was whose.
1196
01:02:11,437 --> 01:02:13,480
I'm Bush. You're Cheney."
1197
01:02:17,734 --> 01:02:19,403
I don't-- I don't remember
saying that,
1198
01:02:19,903 --> 01:02:21,864
but yeah, that's--
I guess that kind of summed up
1199
01:02:22,114 --> 01:02:23,991
the-- the relationship
at that time.
1200
01:02:24,241 --> 01:02:26,827
Reopening won't be overnight,
right?
1201
01:02:27,077 --> 01:02:29,163
Labor Day is the kickoff
to the busy season, right?
1202
01:02:29,163 --> 01:02:30,956
- Yeah. Obviously.
- So, obviously a little before.
1203
01:02:30,956 --> 01:02:33,125
But, yeah, any time sooner
than that is gravy, as they say.
1204
01:02:33,375 --> 01:02:34,918
Yeah. Yeah.
1205
01:02:34,918 --> 01:02:36,253
Maybe July 4th would be--
would be cool, but--
1206
01:02:36,503 --> 01:02:37,671
I don't know, I'm thinking
that's-- that's--
1207
01:02:38,672 --> 01:02:39,965
Um...
1208
01:02:42,384 --> 01:02:45,637
I think he's erring
on the side of caution
1209
01:02:45,888 --> 01:02:48,682
because the development
of this project
1210
01:02:48,682 --> 01:02:50,601
has been years in the making.
1211
01:02:50,601 --> 01:02:53,228
Something that he's known
every single day of his life
1212
01:02:53,228 --> 01:02:56,023
for many, many years is going
to be, in a sense, gone.
1213
01:02:57,649 --> 01:03:02,279
The renovation will happen
on my terms.
1214
01:03:05,032 --> 01:03:07,159
Not Justin's or anybody else's,
1215
01:03:07,159 --> 01:03:08,869
but-- or actually,
unfortunately,
1216
01:03:08,869 --> 01:03:11,371
maybe it depends
on the war's terms.
1217
01:03:14,625 --> 01:03:15,667
I didn't think of that.
1218
01:03:18,420 --> 01:03:20,672
The embarrassing
destruction of a key bridge
1219
01:03:20,672 --> 01:03:23,175
linking Russia to Crimea
led to an escalation
1220
01:03:23,425 --> 01:03:24,676
of attacks across Ukraine
this week,
1221
01:03:24,927 --> 01:03:26,470
that have killed dozens,
1222
01:03:26,470 --> 01:03:28,222
and injured more than
100 others.
1223
01:03:29,890 --> 01:03:31,767
{\an8}In the shadow
of these events,
1224
01:03:32,017 --> 01:03:35,896
{\an8}Jason prepares for the arrival
of special guests from Ukraine.
1225
01:03:36,647 --> 01:03:38,941
The Ukrainian National
Baseball Team.
1226
01:03:41,443 --> 01:03:43,695
Here in the US
for a two-game charity event,
1227
01:03:43,946 --> 01:03:46,031
{\an8}to keep American
support strong.
1228
01:03:46,031 --> 01:03:49,952
{\an8}
1229
01:03:50,869 --> 01:03:53,789
This is a-- an honor for me
to have them here.
1230
01:03:54,039 --> 01:03:56,625
I-- I would like them
to, uh, enjoy some traditional
1231
01:03:56,625 --> 01:03:59,169
Ukrainian food,
but I hope that they experience
1232
01:03:59,169 --> 01:04:01,088
{\an8}some different things
while they're here in New York.
1233
01:04:01,547 --> 01:04:05,008
{\an8}
1234
01:04:08,971 --> 01:04:10,013
{\an8}Thank you.
1235
01:04:16,687 --> 01:04:17,980
Everyone's so quiet.
1236
01:04:21,191 --> 01:04:23,318
{\an8}
1237
01:04:23,569 --> 01:04:24,945
{\an8}Ev-- Everybody in yellow.
1238
01:04:25,195 --> 01:04:27,197
{\an8}Everybody in yellow?
1239
01:04:27,864 --> 01:04:30,867
Actually, before we sit
in a plane,
1240
01:04:31,118 --> 01:04:33,370
we didn't believe that
we-- we would come,
1241
01:04:33,620 --> 01:04:36,081
because of the circumstances,
because of the situation.
1242
01:04:36,081 --> 01:04:39,001
{\an8}A lot of things were done
to make it happen,
1243
01:04:39,001 --> 01:04:40,127
{\an8}as-- as I understand.
1244
01:04:42,045 --> 01:04:43,422
{\an8}Yeah, yeah, yeah,
yeah, yeah.
1245
01:04:43,422 --> 01:04:45,841
{\an8}
1246
01:04:53,098 --> 01:04:55,267
{\an8}His father
is fighting.
1247
01:04:55,267 --> 01:04:56,727
His father, and his father.
1248
01:04:58,103 --> 01:05:00,105
Here in the United States,
there are a lot of people
1249
01:05:00,105 --> 01:05:02,774
who are sending money
and supplies to Ukraine.
1250
01:05:02,774 --> 01:05:04,484
Do you see them in Ukraine?
1251
01:05:04,484 --> 01:05:06,612
We feel support,
yeah, absolutely.
1252
01:05:06,612 --> 01:05:11,575
And this means that not only
from the perspective of money,
1253
01:05:11,575 --> 01:05:13,452
of ammunition, all of that,
1254
01:05:13,452 --> 01:05:15,412
it's been about feeling
1255
01:05:15,662 --> 01:05:18,624
that, uh, you are not alone,
and everybody supports you.
1256
01:05:18,874 --> 01:05:20,792
And so...
1257
01:05:22,127 --> 01:05:23,879
bringing varenyky to us
in New York,
1258
01:05:23,879 --> 01:05:26,173
that means a lot to us.
1259
01:05:26,423 --> 01:05:28,300
- Thank you for that.
- Thank you.
1260
01:05:31,970 --> 01:05:33,013
Um...
1261
01:05:33,930 --> 01:05:35,891
oh, my friend,
who's from Kyiv as well,
1262
01:05:35,891 --> 01:05:37,392
has a story for you.
1263
01:05:37,392 --> 01:05:41,146
{\an8}
1264
01:05:41,396 --> 01:05:44,191
Between the Seventh and Ninth
of October,
1265
01:05:44,691 --> 01:05:49,655
there were some sort
of competitions in Hungary,
1266
01:05:49,905 --> 01:05:51,281
and the Czech Republic.
1267
01:05:55,827 --> 01:05:57,788
So, as of seven o'clock
in the morning
1268
01:05:58,038 --> 01:05:59,623
on the October 10th,
1269
01:05:59,956 --> 01:06:02,918
the delegation
that was coming from Hungary
1270
01:06:02,918 --> 01:06:05,295
was on the way,
going back to Kyiv.
1271
01:06:06,213 --> 01:06:08,882
And as the massive bombing
started,
1272
01:06:09,132 --> 01:06:12,594
um, they had to stop
in the middle of nowhere,
1273
01:06:12,844 --> 01:06:15,555
and his son,
who's nine years old,
1274
01:06:15,806 --> 01:06:17,599
was a part of the delegation.
1275
01:06:17,849 --> 01:06:19,976
One day, October Ninth,
1276
01:06:19,976 --> 01:06:22,979
kids are playing baseball,
getting honored,
1277
01:06:23,647 --> 01:06:25,440
and the next day
they're coming back home--
1278
01:06:25,440 --> 01:06:27,067
back home into--
1279
01:06:27,317 --> 01:06:30,112
come back again
into war and massive bombings.
1280
01:06:32,364 --> 01:06:34,199
Please express to him, I--
1281
01:06:34,449 --> 01:06:35,701
I need a second, sorry.
1282
01:06:35,701 --> 01:06:36,827
- I'm sorry.
- It's all right.
1283
01:06:40,580 --> 01:06:42,374
Here in America,
we feel your pain.
1284
01:06:42,708 --> 01:06:44,126
We understand what...
1285
01:06:44,126 --> 01:06:46,169
I know that one day, it's--
1286
01:06:47,671 --> 01:06:49,631
you feel safe, and one day,
1287
01:06:49,881 --> 01:06:52,759
you feel like it could
be your last day.
1288
01:06:53,093 --> 01:06:55,011
And there's-- I know
it must be difficult
1289
01:06:55,262 --> 01:06:58,390
for all of you to be here,
but trust me when I tell you,
1290
01:06:58,390 --> 01:06:59,891
you're a sign of hope.
1291
01:07:00,684 --> 01:07:03,270
By you being here
shows a lot of resolve.
1292
01:07:03,520 --> 01:07:05,564
We-- we don't-- we don't need
peace right now.
1293
01:07:05,814 --> 01:07:07,566
- We-- We need--
- War. Win the war.
1294
01:07:07,566 --> 01:07:09,109
We don't agree on peace.
1295
01:07:09,693 --> 01:07:12,738
So no peace, only-- only win.
1296
01:07:14,197 --> 01:07:15,157
You okay?
1297
01:07:15,407 --> 01:07:16,366
I'm sorry.
1298
01:07:18,618 --> 01:07:19,745
{\an8}I know, I know.
1299
01:07:20,078 --> 01:07:21,830
{\an8}
1300
01:07:55,822 --> 01:07:58,074
{\an8}
1301
01:08:01,203 --> 01:08:04,664
{\an8}
1302
01:08:10,545 --> 01:08:13,089
Say pierogi.
1303
01:08:13,340 --> 01:08:14,716
Slava Ukraini!
1304
01:08:16,301 --> 01:08:20,096
And this team behind us
has shown the resiliency
1305
01:08:20,931 --> 01:08:23,934
of what it is to continue
to push forward
1306
01:08:23,934 --> 01:08:26,102
in spite of all
that you are facing.
1307
01:08:26,686 --> 01:08:29,272
This is the jersey
of the national team of Ukraine,
1308
01:08:29,272 --> 01:08:31,691
and we would like if you will
sign the ball for us.
1309
01:08:31,942 --> 01:08:33,235
Yes.
1310
01:08:33,485 --> 01:08:35,111
And we will
sign the ball for you.
1311
01:08:35,362 --> 01:08:36,530
The mayor's
endorsement for these games
1312
01:08:36,530 --> 01:08:37,697
is special for the players.
1313
01:08:37,697 --> 01:08:38,865
Who wears 39 on the Yankees?
1314
01:08:41,451 --> 01:08:43,745
They hope that it
translates into a large turnout.
1315
01:08:43,995 --> 01:08:45,872
Thank you.
You will grab my ball?
1316
01:08:46,248 --> 01:08:48,083
Have you got any idea
of the emotion--
1317
01:08:48,083 --> 01:08:49,835
the emotional impact
from these guys,
1318
01:08:49,835 --> 01:08:52,003
like, coming from where
they are, to coming to here?
1319
01:08:52,254 --> 01:08:53,588
It must be shocking.
1320
01:08:53,588 --> 01:08:55,382
This is his first time
in the US.
1321
01:08:56,132 --> 01:08:59,344
He's still a little shocked
to come from the place
1322
01:09:00,011 --> 01:09:01,638
where there's an active war
going on,
1323
01:09:01,888 --> 01:09:03,473
to a peaceful place like this.
1324
01:09:04,474 --> 01:09:06,226
It takes a moment
to get used to it.
1325
01:09:06,476 --> 01:09:07,936
One dollar! One dollar!
1326
01:09:08,186 --> 01:09:10,480
But he wanted to say
thank you for the opportunity
1327
01:09:10,480 --> 01:09:11,898
to be down here at this moment.
1328
01:09:24,911 --> 01:09:27,747
It's game day,
out in Coney Island.
1329
01:09:32,377 --> 01:09:33,920
I don't-- I don't want
to hit the garbage thing.
1330
01:09:34,754 --> 01:09:36,047
{\an8}I'm good here.
What, are the other sides okay?
1331
01:09:36,298 --> 01:09:37,257
{\an8}Perfect.
1332
01:09:38,008 --> 01:09:39,676
Jason serves
the team lunch,
1333
01:09:40,010 --> 01:09:41,261
to put a little pep
in their step.
1334
01:09:43,096 --> 01:09:44,180
We're heading out.
1335
01:09:44,639 --> 01:09:46,600
We've gotta go unpack
for the-- for the booth.
1336
01:09:49,394 --> 01:09:51,354
Huh, it's pretty nice.
A nice view.
1337
01:09:51,771 --> 01:09:53,565
Now it's time
to feed the fans.
1338
01:09:53,815 --> 01:09:55,692
- Just put it, like, over.
- Mm-hmm.
1339
01:09:56,192 --> 01:09:57,944
Well, it looks nice.
1340
01:09:58,194 --> 01:10:00,697
Can-- Then we can put the--
the flowers here, maybe on top.
1341
01:10:00,947 --> 01:10:02,532
We're an hour away.
1342
01:10:02,532 --> 01:10:03,742
Borscht in the middle.
Pierogis to the side.
1343
01:10:04,034 --> 01:10:05,827
Yes, yes.
I'll just tape it to the edge.
1344
01:10:05,827 --> 01:10:06,786
Let's go.
1345
01:10:09,915 --> 01:10:12,042
The stadium seats
up to 7,000.
1346
01:10:15,086 --> 01:10:18,173
Jason is prepared
to feed a lot of mouths.
1347
01:10:20,508 --> 01:10:23,470
For the players,
this is a chance for them
1348
01:10:23,470 --> 01:10:26,723
to take a break from the war
and play again,
1349
01:10:26,973 --> 01:10:31,061
to play in
a packed stadium in the U.S.
1350
01:10:31,061 --> 01:10:32,520
It's good for them.
1351
01:10:36,274 --> 01:10:38,610
I think...
1352
01:10:38,610 --> 01:10:41,821
both you and me are going
to get lucky to see my mom
1353
01:10:42,072 --> 01:10:44,616
here for some time very soon.
1354
01:10:45,867 --> 01:10:48,203
If circumstances allow.
1355
01:10:51,998 --> 01:10:54,459
{\an8}Is she going to feel comfortable
1356
01:10:54,459 --> 01:10:57,003
{\an8}leaving
your grandmother back home?
1357
01:10:57,253 --> 01:10:58,630
That's what she says.
1358
01:11:04,844 --> 01:11:06,554
{\an8}And will your father keep an eye
1359
01:11:06,554 --> 01:11:09,099
{\an8}or he doesn't have
a relationship with her so much?
1360
01:11:09,099 --> 01:11:11,893
No, not too much, unfortunately.
1361
01:11:18,733 --> 01:11:20,652
I think these guys
are eager to play.
1362
01:11:22,612 --> 01:11:25,490
Baseball may
be America's pastime,
1363
01:11:25,490 --> 01:11:28,576
but it is
a universal symbol of freedom.
1364
01:11:28,576 --> 01:11:29,786
Your bat, lucky bat?
1365
01:11:31,079 --> 01:11:32,747
Win or lose,
1366
01:11:32,998 --> 01:11:35,417
all proceeds
will go towards rebuilding
1367
01:11:35,667 --> 01:11:38,545
baseball fields
destroyed by the war.
1368
01:11:38,795 --> 01:11:41,089
During the first few months,
everybody wanted to contribute,
1369
01:11:41,089 --> 01:11:43,675
but it's died down now,
and events like this
1370
01:11:43,925 --> 01:11:46,386
keep it in
everybody's awareness,
1371
01:11:46,386 --> 01:11:47,887
and we have
to continue to do that.
1372
01:11:48,138 --> 01:11:50,348
Irela appreciates what you do,
1373
01:11:50,348 --> 01:11:52,642
and he wants to say
thank you and give you a shirt.
1374
01:11:52,642 --> 01:11:56,771
{\an8}
1375
01:12:05,113 --> 01:12:07,323
Oh, all right.
1376
01:12:08,366 --> 01:12:10,243
All right. Thank you.
1377
01:12:11,161 --> 01:12:12,579
Thank you, thank you so much.
1378
01:12:12,829 --> 01:12:14,330
This is worse
than me playing tennis.
1379
01:12:14,581 --> 01:12:15,582
The pressure, the pressure.
1380
01:12:15,832 --> 01:12:17,667
You didn't slip, that was good.
1381
01:12:25,717 --> 01:12:28,219
Oy, Bosha, this is quiet.
1382
01:12:29,512 --> 01:12:31,097
I don't know.
1383
01:12:31,347 --> 01:12:33,099
It's Brooklyn on Friday nights.
1384
01:12:33,349 --> 01:12:35,101
You got this,
Ukraine, you got this!
1385
01:12:59,209 --> 01:13:01,252
There you go, there you go!
1386
01:13:01,252 --> 01:13:02,712
There you go!
1387
01:13:31,407 --> 01:13:34,744
Minus the first inning jitters,
we're doing pretty well.
1388
01:13:34,994 --> 01:13:36,579
Are they feeling better?
1389
01:13:36,579 --> 01:13:37,997
I mean, you're giving them
a little pep talk,
1390
01:13:37,997 --> 01:13:39,499
- tell them to keep it--
- Yeah, yeah.
1391
01:13:39,499 --> 01:13:41,126
- Have fun.
- Yeah, that's what it's about.
1392
01:13:41,126 --> 01:13:43,253
♪ Let's go, Ukraine ♪
1393
01:13:43,253 --> 01:13:45,922
Bottom of the 7th, right?
This is it.
1394
01:13:45,922 --> 01:13:48,883
Now batting,
number 22, Paul Boyko.
1395
01:13:49,134 --> 01:13:51,511
Let's go, Boyko!
1396
01:13:51,511 --> 01:13:52,971
Ukraine, let's go!
1397
01:13:53,304 --> 01:13:55,014
I feel bad for
the guys, honestly,
1398
01:13:55,014 --> 01:13:58,017
that there
wasn't a better turnout.
1399
01:13:58,017 --> 01:13:59,310
But in the end,
they got a chance
1400
01:13:59,561 --> 01:14:01,521
to play baseball again,
you know?
1401
01:14:01,521 --> 01:14:03,314
A reminder of what
their country's fighting for,
1402
01:14:04,691 --> 01:14:06,401
why we're supporting them.
1403
01:14:08,111 --> 01:14:09,696
Let's go, Boyko!
1404
01:14:09,988 --> 01:14:12,073
I wanted to
be part of this to...
1405
01:14:12,323 --> 01:14:16,995
give them
and my own team some hope.
1406
01:14:27,964 --> 01:14:29,799
NYPD took the day,
1407
01:14:30,049 --> 01:14:31,968
but let's give it up
for Ukraine as well.
1408
01:14:32,218 --> 01:14:35,388
Come on, stand up and give them
a round of applause.
1409
01:14:36,139 --> 01:14:39,601
Five, four, three,
1410
01:14:39,851 --> 01:14:41,811
two, one!
1411
01:14:51,362 --> 01:14:52,906
Tonight,
1412
01:14:53,156 --> 01:14:55,783
the Ukrainians took
the field as free men.
1413
01:14:58,912 --> 01:15:04,334
They played with pride
for their country, their people.
1414
01:15:04,334 --> 01:15:10,340
But they are not cheering
or celebrating
1415
01:15:10,340 --> 01:15:15,929
because they know that
the game is far from over.
1416
01:15:26,731 --> 01:15:27,982
{\an8}Hello?
1417
01:15:51,130 --> 01:15:54,717
{\an8}So, my mom is coming
to the U.S. this week.
1418
01:15:54,968 --> 01:15:58,221
She's traveling from Ukraine
to Poland by bus today.
1419
01:16:03,768 --> 01:16:07,814
Any commute coming out of
the Ukraine to Poland is...
1420
01:16:08,064 --> 01:16:09,565
It's complicated.
1421
01:16:09,565 --> 01:16:11,401
{\an8}
1422
01:16:12,193 --> 01:16:13,444
{\an8}Hello?
1423
01:16:24,622 --> 01:16:30,253
{\an8}
1424
01:16:32,255 --> 01:16:33,506
{\an8}Hello?
1425
01:16:41,014 --> 01:16:43,057
{\an8}My grandmother called me
three times
1426
01:16:43,308 --> 01:16:45,101
{\an8}to check if there were
any updates.
1427
01:16:45,351 --> 01:16:46,644
{\an8}There are no updates.
1428
01:16:55,069 --> 01:16:56,779
{\an8}What are you thinking right now?
1429
01:16:57,030 --> 01:16:59,574
{\an8}I can't stop thinking of
the story that
1430
01:16:59,824 --> 01:17:02,785
{\an8}the baseball player told us
about his kids
1431
01:17:03,036 --> 01:17:05,788
{\an8}being stuck on the bus
and not able to come back home.
1432
01:17:06,998 --> 01:17:08,458
And I'm very worried.
1433
01:17:11,294 --> 01:17:16,382
{\an8}♪
1434
01:17:17,800 --> 01:17:20,595
A sleepless
and stressful night.
1435
01:17:23,306 --> 01:17:25,641
But relief
comes later in the day...
1436
01:17:25,641 --> 01:17:27,518
Hello?
1437
01:17:27,518 --> 01:17:29,937
...when Vitalii's mom is able
to call him from Poland.
1438
01:17:32,440 --> 01:17:35,485
{\an8}Besides being mentally tired,
I'm also physically tired.
1439
01:17:35,485 --> 01:17:38,363
{\an8}But Jason tells me
every other day, he tells me,
1440
01:17:38,363 --> 01:17:42,617
{\an8}smile more,
or just take it easier.
1441
01:17:49,415 --> 01:17:50,833
Yo.
1442
01:17:51,084 --> 01:17:52,543
Good night.
1443
01:17:52,794 --> 01:17:54,295
All my best to Mom.
1444
01:17:54,545 --> 01:17:56,005
I look forward to meeting her.
1445
01:17:56,005 --> 01:17:57,715
And how long are
you going on vacation for?
1446
01:17:58,299 --> 01:18:00,968
If you allow me,
I'll take off next week.
1447
01:18:00,968 --> 01:18:02,845
{\an8}What are we going to do
when Vitalii's not here
1448
01:18:03,096 --> 01:18:04,639
{\an8}- for the week he's traveling?
Well, someone has to do
1449
01:18:04,639 --> 01:18:06,599
{\an8}- the ordering.
Okay.
1450
01:18:06,849 --> 01:18:10,311
{\an8}I have vast experience doing it,
but never here.
1451
01:18:10,561 --> 01:18:11,813
- I did all the ordering--
- I know you did.
1452
01:18:12,063 --> 01:18:14,690
- I know.
- And it closed, Gary.
1453
01:18:14,941 --> 01:18:17,068
Place closed.
1454
01:18:17,068 --> 01:18:20,571
I asked Vitalii
about his mom coming, and,
1455
01:18:20,822 --> 01:18:23,908
you know, he keeps things
close to the vest.
1456
01:18:23,908 --> 01:18:25,326
So when
you come in tomorrow day,
1457
01:18:25,576 --> 01:18:26,911
your mother's going
to be sleeping, right?
1458
01:18:26,911 --> 01:18:28,538
- Yep.
- I don't know, man.
1459
01:18:28,788 --> 01:18:32,667
She needs to finish
her work by November 15,
1460
01:18:32,917 --> 01:18:34,669
so she has a lot to do, so...
1461
01:18:34,919 --> 01:18:36,212
So I don't know. Whatever.
1462
01:18:36,462 --> 01:18:37,630
- I'll see you tomorrow.
- All right.
1463
01:18:37,630 --> 01:18:38,589
{\an8}- Thank you.
All right.
1464
01:18:38,840 --> 01:18:40,758
{\an8}
1465
01:18:56,399 --> 01:19:01,737
I can look like
a rough person from the outside,
1466
01:19:01,988 --> 01:19:06,033
but I'm a very sentimental
person from the inside.
1467
01:19:17,420 --> 01:19:20,465
I'm going to the airport
to pick up my mom,
1468
01:19:20,465 --> 01:19:23,551
and it's going to be
her first time in the U.S.
1469
01:19:23,801 --> 01:19:25,511
I have difficulties to...
1470
01:19:25,511 --> 01:19:27,722
how to express
how I feel right now.
1471
01:19:29,432 --> 01:19:31,392
Probably smell like pierogi.
1472
01:19:31,392 --> 01:19:37,899
I've been there
since 8 until 5, 9 hours.
1473
01:19:42,111 --> 01:19:45,573
The plan is for her
to visit for a month,
1474
01:19:45,573 --> 01:19:49,535
and my mom was really nervous
to leave her mom over there,
1475
01:19:49,785 --> 01:19:54,415
but my dad will be
looking after her for some time.
1476
01:19:54,415 --> 01:19:59,253
My mom always said, as long
as my mother stays alive,
1477
01:19:59,253 --> 01:20:03,132
I'm not going
to move anywhere else.
1478
01:20:03,382 --> 01:20:05,551
And what my dad said was
1479
01:20:05,801 --> 01:20:08,429
something completely different,
but very similar.
1480
01:20:08,429 --> 01:20:10,348
He said, as long as Ukraine
1481
01:20:10,598 --> 01:20:14,143
stays on the map of Europe
as an independent country,
1482
01:20:14,143 --> 01:20:16,437
he said,
I'm not going to move out.
1483
01:20:16,938 --> 01:20:18,397
If I go back home right now,
1484
01:20:18,689 --> 01:20:20,566
not that I don't want to,
I really want to do that,
1485
01:20:20,816 --> 01:20:24,195
but I'm not able
to leave the country, so...
1486
01:20:24,195 --> 01:20:25,821
I'm stuck for
a certain period of time,
1487
01:20:26,072 --> 01:20:27,990
and the worst part
about it is that
1488
01:20:27,990 --> 01:20:31,494
that period of time
is an unknown,
1489
01:20:31,494 --> 01:20:35,248
and all men between
the age of 18 and 60
1490
01:20:35,248 --> 01:20:37,917
cannot leave the country,
at least these days.
1491
01:21:34,682 --> 01:21:41,230
{\an8}
1492
01:21:42,773 --> 01:21:46,277
She said she's
been counting days...
1493
01:21:46,277 --> 01:21:49,864
to finally come here and see me
in the first place, and...
1494
01:21:50,114 --> 01:21:54,577
this whole thing that's been
building up inside of me for--
1495
01:21:54,827 --> 01:21:57,121
for probably a month or so,
it's gone.
1496
01:21:57,121 --> 01:21:59,457
We're here.
She's here. We're good.
1497
01:21:59,457 --> 01:22:03,044
I'm feeling less tired,
and I'm good to go.
1498
01:22:03,294 --> 01:22:05,338
I'm very excited for tomorrow.
1499
01:22:06,339 --> 01:22:08,841
{\an8}
1500
01:22:38,788 --> 01:22:41,957
{\an8}
1501
01:22:54,178 --> 01:22:57,139
{\an8}
1502
01:23:12,780 --> 01:23:16,450
{\an8}
1503
01:23:19,787 --> 01:23:21,580
Nice to meet you, too.
1504
01:23:21,580 --> 01:23:23,374
Nice to meet you.
1505
01:23:24,417 --> 01:23:29,422
{\an8}
1506
01:23:36,429 --> 01:23:37,471
{\an8}Jason.
1507
01:23:39,890 --> 01:23:40,933
{\an8}Justin.
1508
01:23:46,439 --> 01:23:48,232
{\an8}Good. Good to see you.
1509
01:23:48,232 --> 01:23:50,651
{\an8}She doesn't look like you.
1510
01:23:50,651 --> 01:23:52,611
Maybe that was
a mistake that took place.
1511
01:23:52,862 --> 01:23:54,739
I think she does.
I think she does.
1512
01:23:57,199 --> 01:23:58,367
Nice to meet you.
1513
01:23:58,367 --> 01:23:59,994
Thank you for having us.
1514
01:24:00,244 --> 01:24:01,537
Thank you for being here.
1515
01:24:02,747 --> 01:24:04,290
It's been a pleasure.
Let's eat.
1516
01:24:11,088 --> 01:24:13,466
She likes that we have
a lot of decorations.
1517
01:24:13,466 --> 01:24:15,176
Yeah, yeah.
1518
01:24:15,176 --> 01:24:18,304
How does it feel to
have your mom here in Veselka?
1519
01:24:18,554 --> 01:24:20,890
I feel good.
I'm finally happy.
1520
01:24:21,140 --> 01:24:24,393
The only thing I need to
make sure we're going to try
1521
01:24:24,393 --> 01:24:28,606
{\an8}to call our dad, my dad,
every day just to cheer him up.
1522
01:24:28,606 --> 01:24:33,402
{\an8}
1523
01:24:48,459 --> 01:24:52,505
{\an8}She said they have a lot of
cats, but only one son.
1524
01:24:52,505 --> 01:24:56,884
And they put a lot of effort
into basically raising me.
1525
01:24:57,134 --> 01:24:58,552
Yeah. Only child.
1526
01:24:58,803 --> 01:25:02,139
They invested a lot,
yeah, and they really appreciate
1527
01:25:02,139 --> 01:25:07,311
that you taking good care
of me while I decided
1528
01:25:07,311 --> 01:25:09,980
to leave home
and come down here.
1529
01:25:10,940 --> 01:25:14,568
We know it's been
a difficult time for you, and...
1530
01:25:14,568 --> 01:25:17,655
you know you can count on us
as much as I can count on you.
1531
01:25:18,364 --> 01:25:20,449
It's become our concern for you,
1532
01:25:20,449 --> 01:25:23,828
for her, and we're
happy that she's safe.
1533
01:25:24,370 --> 01:25:26,664
And if she doesn't mind,
I'd like to give her a hug.
1534
01:25:26,914 --> 01:25:27,957
Okay.
1535
01:25:27,957 --> 01:25:30,751
{\an8}
1536
01:25:37,383 --> 01:25:39,760
She said first one is free.
1537
01:25:40,010 --> 01:25:41,679
After that, it's.
1538
01:25:43,931 --> 01:25:46,392
Thanks for everything.
1539
01:25:46,392 --> 01:25:48,727
- Yes.
- Tom, thank you for everything.
1540
01:26:04,994 --> 01:26:09,498
Their journey,
nine months in the making,
1541
01:26:09,498 --> 01:26:14,503
is worthy of all
the sights and tastes...
1542
01:26:14,503 --> 01:26:15,629
{\an8}Mmm.
1543
01:26:15,629 --> 01:26:17,047
{\an8}
1544
01:26:17,298 --> 01:26:19,550
...that New York City
has to offer.
1545
01:26:30,978 --> 01:26:34,148
We begin today with what
appears to be the largest wave
1546
01:26:34,148 --> 01:26:37,192
of Russian strikes
on Ukraine in weeks.
1547
01:26:38,152 --> 01:26:41,947
Close to a month
after my mum arrived,
1548
01:26:42,197 --> 01:26:44,533
events were
taking place in Kyiv.
1549
01:26:44,533 --> 01:26:46,702
We have made
the decision for her to stay
1550
01:26:46,952 --> 01:26:49,622
until my birthday,
January 15th.
1551
01:26:49,622 --> 01:26:53,918
She spends most of
her time by herself.
1552
01:26:54,168 --> 01:26:58,380
She still has issues speaking
and understanding English.
1553
01:26:59,423 --> 01:27:02,676
She hasn't been comfortable
leaving the house,
1554
01:27:02,676 --> 01:27:06,013
and she misses her mother.
1555
01:27:06,764 --> 01:27:08,140
She feels lonely.
1556
01:27:09,767 --> 01:27:12,478
So she needs to socialize.
1557
01:27:16,523 --> 01:27:21,612
{\an8}♪
1558
01:27:21,612 --> 01:27:25,783
{\an8}
1559
01:27:42,508 --> 01:27:45,094
{\an8}Finally, she has
some sort of routine
1560
01:27:45,344 --> 01:27:47,096
to build her schedule around,
1561
01:27:47,346 --> 01:27:48,973
{\an8}and I see that she's changing.
1562
01:27:48,973 --> 01:27:54,186
{\an8}
1563
01:28:24,174 --> 01:28:26,635
{\an8}Members of Congress,
1564
01:28:26,635 --> 01:28:29,096
{\an8}His Excellency
Volodymyr Zelensky,
1565
01:28:29,346 --> 01:28:30,848
{\an8}President of the Ukraine.
1566
01:28:31,098 --> 01:28:33,517
{\an8}
1567
01:28:48,657 --> 01:28:50,826
This struggle will define
1568
01:28:51,076 --> 01:28:55,706
in what world our children
and grandchildren will live.
1569
01:28:55,956 --> 01:28:57,958
It will define
whether it will be
1570
01:28:58,208 --> 01:29:00,586
a democracy of Ukrainians
1571
01:29:00,836 --> 01:29:02,963
and for Americans, for all.
1572
01:29:03,213 --> 01:29:06,592
May God forever bless
the United States of America.
1573
01:29:06,592 --> 01:29:10,929
Merry Christmas
and Happy Victorious New Year.
1574
01:29:11,180 --> 01:29:12,306
Slava Ukraina!
1575
01:29:13,432 --> 01:29:16,560
{\an8}
1576
01:29:59,061 --> 01:30:05,943
{\an8}♪
1577
01:30:12,032 --> 01:30:13,784
{\an8}
1578
01:30:14,034 --> 01:30:15,911
{\an8}
1579
01:30:16,161 --> 01:30:18,497
{\an8}- Good, you?
Good. Another day.
1580
01:30:18,497 --> 01:30:22,876
{\an8}
1581
01:30:36,223 --> 01:30:37,766
- Together with kids?
- Yes.
1582
01:30:37,766 --> 01:30:39,726
- You understand this?
- Yes.
1583
01:30:40,727 --> 01:30:46,567
{\an8}
1584
01:30:56,243 --> 01:30:59,288
{\an8}
1585
01:31:14,428 --> 01:31:16,638
{\an8}
1586
01:31:16,638 --> 01:31:18,473
{\an8}All right, she's saying
she's going to cry.
1587
01:31:18,473 --> 01:31:21,560
My aunt and uncle,
they lost the house,
1588
01:31:21,560 --> 01:31:24,605
like, almost,
almost two weeks ago.
1589
01:31:24,855 --> 01:31:26,356
It was shelling of the city,
1590
01:31:26,356 --> 01:31:29,359
and one of the mines
land on the balcony.
1591
01:31:29,359 --> 01:31:31,195
So, basically,
the whole apartment
1592
01:31:31,445 --> 01:31:33,322
just destroyed and burned out.
1593
01:31:34,323 --> 01:31:35,574
So, yeah.
1594
01:31:38,118 --> 01:31:40,996
{\an8}No, it's just the mortars.
1595
01:31:41,914 --> 01:31:43,081
How to say that correctly?
1596
01:31:43,332 --> 01:31:44,291
Yeah, mortars.
1597
01:31:46,293 --> 01:31:48,295
Dima is so matter-of-fact.
1598
01:31:51,006 --> 01:31:52,257
I'm concerned about
his mental health
1599
01:31:52,507 --> 01:31:56,678
and what's going on in his head.
1600
01:31:56,678 --> 01:31:58,096
But I'm doing my best
1601
01:31:58,096 --> 01:31:59,723
to distract him
with positive stuff,
1602
01:31:59,973 --> 01:32:01,642
supporting his own fundraiser
1603
01:32:01,892 --> 01:32:04,603
to get the guys on
the front tactical gear.
1604
01:32:04,853 --> 01:32:06,188
Thank you, Poppy.
1605
01:32:07,022 --> 01:32:09,775
The war has
taken on many layers,
1606
01:32:10,025 --> 01:32:12,903
not only the bombing
and loss of life
1607
01:32:12,903 --> 01:32:15,739
and the destruction of
infrastructure,
1608
01:32:15,739 --> 01:32:18,742
but I think the real toll
that we don't see is
1609
01:32:18,742 --> 01:32:20,786
the emotional and mental toll
1610
01:32:21,036 --> 01:32:22,746
on families that
are being separated
1611
01:32:22,996 --> 01:32:24,665
or displaced from each other.
1612
01:32:25,332 --> 01:32:27,292
Vitalii is sponsoring
his mother,
1613
01:32:27,542 --> 01:32:29,044
who was initially
going to be for a month,
1614
01:32:29,294 --> 01:32:31,421
has now gone much longer.
1615
01:32:31,672 --> 01:32:37,761
That set him off in a moment
of anger against his mother.
1616
01:32:41,723 --> 01:32:43,934
You can talk to him
more about that. I mean...
1617
01:32:44,935 --> 01:32:47,771
I don't think
he's going to open up to that.
1618
01:32:47,771 --> 01:32:49,147
{\an8}-
I understand.
1619
01:32:49,147 --> 01:32:50,607
{\an8}That's all
I'm comfortable saying.
1620
01:32:53,527 --> 01:32:57,739
My mom now lives
5,000 miles away from my dad.
1621
01:33:00,617 --> 01:33:02,828
There was a decision
that was not made by me,
1622
01:33:03,078 --> 01:33:05,622
but it included me,
that my mom's going to stay.
1623
01:33:07,165 --> 01:33:08,667
I had to take a break
1624
01:33:08,667 --> 01:33:10,961
and process
my dad being left alone.
1625
01:33:12,796 --> 01:33:17,426
I reacted in a weird way.
I couldn't communicate with her.
1626
01:33:17,426 --> 01:33:19,803
I couldn't talk to her
for some period of time.
1627
01:33:21,638 --> 01:33:24,766
Our communication
was very basic.
1628
01:33:26,601 --> 01:33:30,522
{\an8}Closer to the New Year,
we had a conversation.
1629
01:33:30,522 --> 01:33:34,318
{\an8}
1630
01:34:05,057 --> 01:34:11,063
{\an8}
1631
01:34:33,210 --> 01:34:39,758
{\an8}
1632
01:34:55,148 --> 01:35:00,862
{\an8}
1633
01:35:08,036 --> 01:35:10,247
So then it just became...
1634
01:35:11,373 --> 01:35:13,834
how do I manage my mother,
1635
01:35:14,084 --> 01:35:18,422
who I'm angry with,
but I also want to help her.
1636
01:35:18,422 --> 01:35:19,881
When my parents separated,
1637
01:35:20,132 --> 01:35:22,676
initially it was thought
it would be a short-term,
1638
01:35:22,676 --> 01:35:24,428
one-year separation from
my mother,
1639
01:35:24,428 --> 01:35:27,097
but she never returned.
1640
01:35:27,347 --> 01:35:29,766
And then my father
took full custody...
1641
01:35:30,976 --> 01:35:34,646
while my mother
decided to do her thing.
1642
01:35:38,150 --> 01:35:41,987
Vitalii's part of
my extended family, so...
1643
01:35:42,237 --> 01:35:43,989
I shared
that information with him,
1644
01:35:44,239 --> 01:35:46,491
and we've talked that out
and said, listen,
1645
01:35:46,741 --> 01:35:49,619
I understand it's
a bad situation, but...
1646
01:35:49,619 --> 01:35:52,831
it's her life,
and she wants to...
1647
01:35:52,831 --> 01:35:56,626
move on
and do something different.
1648
01:35:56,877 --> 01:35:57,919
She has the right to.
1649
01:36:08,722 --> 01:36:09,764
{\an8}Cat.
1650
01:36:10,974 --> 01:36:12,100
Dog.
1651
01:36:12,100 --> 01:36:13,268
Hot dog.
1652
01:36:14,311 --> 01:36:15,437
Cheeseburger.
1653
01:36:18,690 --> 01:36:19,816
Whether she wants to leave
1654
01:36:20,108 --> 01:36:21,943
or whether
she wants to stay, she...
1655
01:36:22,194 --> 01:36:23,612
she can make
a decision on her own,
1656
01:36:23,862 --> 01:36:28,617
and I'm going to support
whatever she decides.
1657
01:36:29,743 --> 01:36:30,827
Home.
1658
01:36:32,037 --> 01:36:33,497
Democracy.
1659
01:36:34,748 --> 01:36:35,790
Peace.
1660
01:36:36,791 --> 01:36:37,918
Son.
1661
01:36:39,961 --> 01:36:47,010
{\an8}
1662
01:36:47,010 --> 01:36:48,637
Okay.
1663
01:36:48,637 --> 01:36:51,056
My mom's been here for three
and a half months,
1664
01:36:51,306 --> 01:36:55,227
and tomorrow will mark a year
since the invasion has started.
1665
01:36:57,270 --> 01:37:00,649
There are more questions
1666
01:37:00,649 --> 01:37:04,152
than answers in this story
and what's going to happen.
1667
01:37:06,446 --> 01:37:09,324
{\an8}But Veselka has become
a second home
1668
01:37:09,574 --> 01:37:11,076
for a lot of Ukrainians now.
1669
01:37:11,326 --> 01:37:12,869
The flowers return.
1670
01:37:13,119 --> 01:37:14,120
And when
a community comes together,
1671
01:37:14,371 --> 01:37:16,581
there is strength in numbers.
1672
01:37:16,581 --> 01:37:17,707
Thank you.
1673
01:37:17,958 --> 01:37:19,918
- It's been a year.
- It's crazy.
1674
01:37:20,168 --> 01:37:21,795
- You guys are doing fantastic.
- Thank you, thank you.
1675
01:37:22,045 --> 01:37:23,672
- Beautiful work.
- Thank you.
1676
01:37:23,922 --> 01:37:26,424
We've always had the
greatest customers, you know.
1677
01:37:26,424 --> 01:37:29,427
Every table tells
a different story,
1678
01:37:29,427 --> 01:37:33,181
and today of all days,
I stumbled on an incredible one.
1679
01:37:33,431 --> 01:37:36,977
{\an8}
1680
01:37:40,397 --> 01:37:43,817
{\an8}They just arrived
last night from Germany.
1681
01:37:43,817 --> 01:37:45,360
{\an8}Where are they from in Ukraine?
1682
01:37:45,360 --> 01:37:46,945
{\an8}Kharkiv.
1683
01:37:47,195 --> 01:37:48,780
{\an8}Is this the first place
they've been to since they--
1684
01:37:53,910 --> 01:37:56,079
{\an8}They're going to a big surprise.
1685
01:37:56,329 --> 01:37:58,665
There's an American lady.
1686
01:37:58,665 --> 01:38:02,377
She's giving a house for them
to live for free, a big house.
1687
01:38:02,377 --> 01:38:05,589
Is he surprised to see so
much support for Ukraine here?
1688
01:38:05,589 --> 01:38:10,010
{\an8}
1689
01:38:12,387 --> 01:38:15,599
{\an8}
1690
01:38:20,562 --> 01:38:22,647
{\an8}Does he still have family
in Ukraine?
1691
01:38:22,647 --> 01:38:25,275
{\an8}
1692
01:38:55,805 --> 01:38:59,809
{\an8}
1693
01:39:24,542 --> 01:39:27,879
{\an8}
1694
01:39:31,257 --> 01:39:33,051
His father was found in Russia.
1695
01:39:33,051 --> 01:39:34,469
They took him to Russia.
1696
01:39:34,469 --> 01:39:36,054
{\an8}So he's still there.
1697
01:39:36,054 --> 01:39:39,474
{\an8}
1698
01:39:39,724 --> 01:39:41,393
{\an8}He has no option
to leave there, though?
1699
01:39:43,728 --> 01:39:45,647
Tell him I'm really sorry
to hear that.
1700
01:39:45,897 --> 01:39:46,856
I wish...
1701
01:39:49,275 --> 01:39:53,321
{\an8}But I'm happy to see that
he's here and, you know,
1702
01:39:53,321 --> 01:39:55,365
{\an8}with your help and...
1703
01:39:55,365 --> 01:39:57,575
{\an8}Anytime they find
themselves in New York,
1704
01:39:57,826 --> 01:39:59,869
please, be my guest.
1705
01:40:00,120 --> 01:40:04,374
{\an8}
1706
01:40:06,793 --> 01:40:08,837
He took his children to
the western part of Ukraine,
1707
01:40:09,087 --> 01:40:11,840
early in the war,
and then found a sponsor.
1708
01:40:12,090 --> 01:40:13,508
They just flew last night.
1709
01:40:13,508 --> 01:40:16,010
{\an8}This was
their first meal here today,
1710
01:40:16,010 --> 01:40:17,137
{\an8}and they're
driving to Cleveland.
1711
01:40:17,387 --> 01:40:18,680
{\an8}Yeah, it's a great story.
1712
01:40:18,930 --> 01:40:20,557
{\an8}Jason's grandparents,
who told me stories
1713
01:40:20,807 --> 01:40:23,518
{\an8}of what they went
through post-World War II,
1714
01:40:23,518 --> 01:40:26,604
and it was very similar
to what's happening now.
1715
01:40:26,855 --> 01:40:31,151
, can you give me
one small knife or fork, please?
1716
01:40:31,401 --> 01:40:35,321
Today it's
exactly one year, and...
1717
01:40:36,948 --> 01:40:38,575
everything's the same.
1718
01:40:38,825 --> 01:40:43,121
Ukraine or Ukrainian population
fighting with Russia,
1719
01:40:43,121 --> 01:40:48,668
last 300 years,
300 years, yeah.
1720
01:40:48,668 --> 01:40:50,044
It's discouraging.
1721
01:40:50,044 --> 01:40:51,546
As a human race,
what have we learned?
1722
01:40:51,796 --> 01:40:53,548
- We're making the same mistakes.
- History repeats itself.
1723
01:40:53,548 --> 01:40:56,050
- The same--
- There's 14,000 refugees
1724
01:40:56,301 --> 01:40:58,470
since the war started
that are in New York.
1725
01:40:58,470 --> 01:41:00,180
I know they're
in different parts,
1726
01:41:00,180 --> 01:41:01,848
but do anyone come in here?
1727
01:41:02,098 --> 01:41:04,726
Actually, believe it or not,
I've applied for 10 refugees
1728
01:41:04,976 --> 01:41:07,771
to come to New York,
and all 10 have been accepted,
1729
01:41:07,771 --> 01:41:09,439
with a handful working here.
1730
01:41:09,439 --> 01:41:11,524
So it's been a great program,
and I know
1731
01:41:11,775 --> 01:41:13,651
you had said initially
that you would welcome...
1732
01:41:13,902 --> 01:41:17,030
New York would welcome
as many as possible.
1733
01:41:17,530 --> 01:41:20,325
So we're very grateful for that.
1734
01:41:24,496 --> 01:41:27,624
Right now my family
is safe and they're here,
1735
01:41:27,624 --> 01:41:29,959
which is the biggest,
1736
01:41:29,959 --> 01:41:31,920
probably,
achievement in my life,
1737
01:41:32,170 --> 01:41:34,964
to be the good son
and take care of my family.
1738
01:41:36,007 --> 01:41:38,218
And everything what
I have right now is because
1739
01:41:38,468 --> 01:41:43,014
of Veselka and Jason.
1740
01:41:43,264 --> 01:41:48,812
If not for this place,
I don't know where I would be.
1741
01:41:53,274 --> 01:41:55,735
With food,
you can connect anybody.
1742
01:41:56,444 --> 01:41:59,823
I went through a time where
there were no people there,
1743
01:41:59,823 --> 01:42:03,743
and now to have it give back...
1744
01:42:06,287 --> 01:42:08,873
it's great. That's what...
1745
01:42:08,873 --> 01:42:10,542
that's what keeps me going.
1746
01:42:13,169 --> 01:42:16,756
I think of all of you
as extended family,
1747
01:42:17,006 --> 01:42:19,050
and I truly appreciate
1748
01:42:19,050 --> 01:42:21,678
everything that you guys
have done this year.
1749
01:42:24,264 --> 01:42:26,224
We've gone through a lot, right?
1750
01:42:26,224 --> 01:42:29,561
It's been a difficult year,
and I only hope that
1751
01:42:29,561 --> 01:42:31,563
we're going to have
a better year ahead.
1752
01:42:31,813 --> 01:42:33,189
But, uh...
1753
01:42:33,857 --> 01:42:35,608
I just wanted to share,
1754
01:42:35,608 --> 01:42:37,652
I don't know when the renovation
is going to happen now.
1755
01:42:37,902 --> 01:42:39,195
I don't think it's...
1756
01:42:40,113 --> 01:42:42,615
It doesn't feel right
to close now.
1757
01:42:44,659 --> 01:42:47,120
My grandfather was part of
an organization called Plast,
1758
01:42:47,120 --> 01:42:49,414
which was a Ukrainian
scout organization.
1759
01:42:49,664 --> 01:42:51,165
You know,
they teach language and culture,
1760
01:42:51,416 --> 01:42:53,251
but they also
teach survival skills.
1761
01:42:53,251 --> 01:42:57,297
You know, how to make a fire,
how to make a shelter.
1762
01:42:57,547 --> 01:43:00,008
When they opened
this chapter here,
1763
01:43:00,258 --> 01:43:02,510
my grandfather was the one
that said, you know what,
1764
01:43:02,510 --> 01:43:05,889
you're the one
that's going to provide food.
1765
01:43:06,681 --> 01:43:11,394
Bringing Ukrainians together
to keep his dream alive,
1766
01:43:11,394 --> 01:43:13,813
to keep Ukraine...
1767
01:43:15,940 --> 01:43:17,567
for Ukrainians.
1768
01:43:17,567 --> 01:43:19,444
You know,
I often say to people,
1769
01:43:19,444 --> 01:43:21,446
if my father-in-law were still
alive and he could see this,
1770
01:43:21,696 --> 01:43:23,239
he would have
another heart attack.
1771
01:43:23,239 --> 01:43:26,701
Because this is beyond
anything he ever saw
1772
01:43:26,951 --> 01:43:29,245
or maybe even dreamed of.
1773
01:43:29,245 --> 01:43:32,290
We're building this
beautiful Ukrainian family
1774
01:43:32,290 --> 01:43:36,044
in the heart of little Ukraine,
the way Volodymyr had intended.
1775
01:43:36,920 --> 01:43:38,922
And Jason,
I'm really proud of him
1776
01:43:38,922 --> 01:43:42,592
the way he's taken the reins
and gets what it's about.
1777
01:43:42,592 --> 01:43:44,969
Jason is the right leader,
1778
01:43:45,219 --> 01:43:48,681
the right father figure
at the right time.
1779
01:43:48,681 --> 01:43:52,977
As long as we need to do
our best to contribute and help,
1780
01:43:52,977 --> 01:43:54,687
I'm going to continue
to do what I can.
1781
01:43:54,938 --> 01:43:56,439
And with your guys' help,
1782
01:43:56,439 --> 01:44:00,068
we're going
to continue to do together.
1783
01:44:00,318 --> 01:44:01,694
- Of course.
- Of course.
1784
01:44:01,945 --> 01:44:03,112
But my father-in-law
would be surprised.
1785
01:44:03,112 --> 01:44:04,948
I mean, I wish...
1786
01:44:08,076 --> 01:44:10,662
I could show him, but...
1787
01:44:10,912 --> 01:44:12,705
maybe he's looking down at us.
I don't know.
1788
01:44:12,705 --> 01:44:14,457
Sometimes I feel like he is.
1789
01:44:14,457 --> 01:44:16,626
Like that picture there,
he's looking down with his dog.
1790
01:44:16,626 --> 01:44:21,047
I'm like, okay,
see what you started?
1791
01:44:23,091 --> 01:44:26,010
There is the family
that you are born into
1792
01:44:26,260 --> 01:44:29,639
and the family that you choose.
1793
01:44:29,639 --> 01:44:32,767
Volodymyr built his
own rainbow.
1794
01:44:33,017 --> 01:44:38,731
Where family
is the treasure at its end.
1795
01:45:20,565 --> 01:45:26,696
♪ Meet me on the corner
at the center of the world ♪
1796
01:45:26,696 --> 01:45:30,616
♪ Meet me where the towers
kiss the clouds in the sky ♪
1797
01:45:32,118 --> 01:45:36,914
♪ Grab a table by the window,
we can watch the world go by ♪
1798
01:45:37,707 --> 01:45:44,797
♪ Just you and I ♪
1799
01:45:45,089 --> 01:45:50,553
♪ A place for us
is a place for all ♪
1800
01:45:50,553 --> 01:45:55,600
{\an8}♪ A place to live
anytime you fall ♪
1801
01:45:56,684 --> 01:46:01,773
{\an8}♪ If you're ever lost
and need a place to go ♪
1802
01:46:02,065 --> 01:46:04,567
{\an8}♪ You can find some peace
and quiet ♪
1803
01:46:04,567 --> 01:46:07,945
{\an8}♪ Among a million other souls ♪
1804
01:46:09,405 --> 01:46:12,950
{\an8}♪ Just meet me on the corner
at the center of the world ♪
1805
01:46:18,122 --> 01:46:21,793
{\an8}♪ Meet me on the corner
at the center of the world ♪
1806
01:46:23,461 --> 01:46:27,840
{\an8}♪ Just you and I ♪
1807
01:46:32,011 --> 01:46:33,638
{\an8}
1808
01:46:33,638 --> 01:46:35,098
{\an8}I'll get it, Poppy.
1809
01:46:36,849 --> 01:46:39,310
{\an8}Hello, this is Veselka.
How may I help you?
1810
01:46:40,853 --> 01:46:41,896
{\an8}It's Mike.
1811
01:46:42,146 --> 01:46:43,648
{\an8}Thank you.
1812
01:46:44,107 --> 01:46:45,525
{\an8}Hi, how are you?