"Last words" written by International Legion fighter Andreas Gallozzi to his family
Andreas Gallozzi was 22 years old, from the Yonne department in Burgundy. He had always wanted to be in the military. He joined the 17th Engineer Parachute Regiment in September 2020.
On 16 February 2023, Andreas was killed in action against the Russians near Svatove, in eastern Ukraine.
His mother Edith was on the Maidan in Kyiv on 17 February, and at the same time Rémi and others were at the cemetery where Andreas is buried in France.
He left France to defend democracy, Ukraine, Ukrainians, and Europe. During his training in the International Legion, where he was nicknamed Frenchie, many noted that he was determined and willing to do his duty. In telephone conversations with his mother Edith, he would repeat: "Mum, I'm happy where I am now; I know what I'm here for; I understand what I'm doing." Once, on the front line, he told her: "Mum, it's 14-18 (years of the First World War - author) in the twenty-first century." His great-uncle, whose story Andreas had heard and knew well, like other members of his family, fell into a trench in 1918 and the last thing he said was: "It's okay".
In Andreas's personal belongings, which colleagues from the International Legion returned, his mother found a note instructing the family where to look for his last words on his phone.
The "note is too late" read:
"War is the curse of humanity because war never dies. There will always be just causes worth fighting for and dying for if necessary, fighting against madmen who want to destroy everything around them for their own ego...nothing but trivialities."
...then he will write it as his "Last Words":
noting that the following text was inspired by letters from French soldiers of the First World War, Andreas voluntarily chose the text that perhaps touched him the most, and he adapted it, adding his own words.
"Last words:
"My dearest mother, my dear family, my loyal friends. The war is over for me, but I have no regrets, I have seen enough heroism and horror.
I pray that your fate will be more merciful. Our life is short. I am grateful to heaven for all the joys, happiness and trials that fate has prepared for me.
My life was wonderful and almost full.
These few words will be my last. I spent my last hours looking at all the photos with you, my precious memories.
Only a miracle could have saved me. I knew that this mission could be too dangerous, but I am a stubborn man, I did not want to leave my friends who would go alone into the center of this hell.
War makes people crazy. I did my duty, I defended the honor of France, Ukraine and Europe. I don't feel any remorse about coming to Ukraine, I have found the meaning of my life and my beliefs. My only regret is that I didn't have time to love someone with all my heart.
I hope you will find the strength to forgive me and that God would like to perhaps unite us in heaven or elsewhere by separating us on this earth.
Never forget the soldiers who died for the righteous cause.
I will never forget you, I love you."
His last words were written on 1 February 2023. Andreas was killed in action against the Russians near Svatove, in eastern Ukraine, on 16 February 2023.
Once in the arms of his fellow Japanese, Andreas said the last thing: "It's okay."
Translation: Yelyzaveta Yuhnova
