On the Day of Remembrance of Fallen Defenders, which is celebrated on August 29, restaurants and cafes across Ukraine set aside a table for the day, prepared as if awaiting a guest, in honor of fallen heroes — those who will never return.

Two colleagues and I went to a participating restaurant in Kyiv. On a special card that's left on the table, we wrote the names of our fallen heroes: my colleague Nataliya — her brother; me — my friend who was killed in 2015.

The "Memorial Table" initiative was being held in Ukraine for the second time. It's established by Maria Grabar in honor of her husband, Ilya Grabar, along with the platform Memorial.

Last year, 100 establishments joined in. This year, close to 800 participated in Ukraine. And, "Memorial Tables" were set up in 6 other countries: Portugal, Poland, Sweden, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and Canada.

I know for sure that in a year I will write at least two more names on a card. I am remembering my friend who died the day after Memorial Day, a week before his 20th birthday. I am remembering my friend who I met at the beginning of the war in 2014, killed. 

The dreams and plans of two more Ukrainian soldiers will never come true...