Johnny:
Oklahoma is well inland, so I suppose that you do not make your living on the sea. Those of us who do, or in my case, once did, do not see national flags when our brothers and sisters are in jeopardy. All who slip their cables and move over and under the sea, do so at some risk and go with the prayers of all others who share the oceans with them.
Very few days pass by that I do not remember one of the most beautiful days when my crews and I rowed two currachs I built, out of Baltimore harbor, escorting the Pride of Baltimore out of the harbor. I still see her skipper at the helm, waving as she sped out to sea, and to her fate -- to run her bow into a wave and sink with many of her crew and her skipper in moments.
This is a time for prayers and solidarity, not the old cold war mistrust which led us into so many bad times and bad decisions. Let us all extend to our Russian shipmates our prayers and hopes and help if they ask.
Larry