Ukrainian Soldiers Recreate 19th Century Painting in Defiance of Russia

There is just something about defiance in the face of overwhelming odds that live on in legend long after the event has passed.

In the dark winter months of December 1944, the German army laid siege to the provincial Belgian town of Bastogne — defending the town were American paratroopers from the famed 101st Airborne Division, my old unit. They were surrounded.

On December 22, two German officers approached the American perimeter and demanded to speak with the U.S. commanding officer.