BOBBY ARDOIN
Contributing Writer
Editor’s Note: Opelousas attorney Bruce Gaudin, a friend of the Renaud family, has submitted a letter written by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the family of American journalist Brent Renaud, who was killed on assignment last week covering the war in Ukraine. Gaudin has agreed to share this letter to the Renaud family written by Zelensky with St. Landry Now. — Bobby Ardoin, editorial consultant and contributing writer, St. Landry Now.
Mr. Louis Renaud
Ms. Georgann Freasier
Mr. Graig Renaud
Ms. Michele Purifoy
Little Rock, Arkansas
Dear Family of Brent Renaud,
It is with deep sadness that I am writing to extend my heartfelt condolences to you on the tragic loss of your beloved son and brother, Brent Renaud.
A talented and brave journalist, Brent lost his life while documenting human tragedy, devastation and suffering of the millions of Ukrainians. With all his courage and determination, he traveled to the most dangerous war zones to film the unprecedented ruthlessness and evil, also inflicted upon our nation by the aggressor state.
The people of Ukraine, who are fighting against the Russian regime to defend their Homeland and democracy in the world, are mourning with you.
We are thankful to Brent for his professionalism and commitment to the values of compassion, ethics and justice.
May Brent’s life, service and sacrifice inspire generations of people all around the world to stand up in fight for the forces of light against forces of darkness.
Sincerely.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Photograph from KATC News website.
Publisher’s Note: St. Landry Now might be one of the few news organizations publishing firsthand news from those affected by the invasion of Ukraine. Also, not many other news organizations have published the letter supposedly written by Zelenskyy to the parents of the American journalist who died in Ukraine. We plan to continue to publish the information we received from those in Ukraine.
St. Landry Now provides our readers with local news as well as things not offered by other news organizations. In many instances, our online newspaper’s website is trend setting. – Carola Lillie Hartley, publisher and contributing writer, St. Landry Now.
