For the Ukrainian servicemen, who grew up listening to the American band’s music, seeing their idol in person was a cherished dream come true.
"Metallica's songs are very popular in Ukraine. When we were growing up, we all listened to them and dreamed of seeing them live," said one of the soldiers.
During his brief surprise visit, Hetfield wished the wounded soldiers, Roman Denisyuk and Ihor Voinyi, a speedy recovery.
The meeting had been arranged by Kelli Rohrig, co-founder of Limbs for Liberty, an NGO dedicated to supporting Ukrainian veterans in need of prosthetic limbs. Rohrig spotted Hetfield in the hospital's parking lot and asked the musician to visit the Ukrainian soldiers.
"It was unexpected, at first I couldn't even believe it was really him," Voinyi said, as quoted by Polish state news agency PAP. "It was a brief but cordial meeting, although it would have been nicer to meet over a campfire and a drink than in the hospital."
Anton Herashchenko, an advisor to Ukraine's interior minister, took to Twitter to express his gratitude for the support. Sharing a photograph of Hetfield visiting the soldiers, Herashchenko tweeted he was "thankful to all who help our Defenders return to life."
Metallica last year donated USD 500,000 to assist refugees from the ongoing war in Ukraine.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP
