Think about it.

116 sailors are stuck in a submarine somewhere around 500 feet below the surface of the Barents sea.

They're stuck down there because of an accident of some kind. Either they collided with another sub, struck a drifting mine from WWII or the propellant of a practice torpedo ignited prematurely in the firing tube. Either way they dove uncontrollably into the bottom of the sea and now their vessel holds them there listing at a 60 degree angle.

No matter why they're there its not because they deserve to be. Don't give me the crap I've heard about how "They chose a dangerous profession and they knew the risks" Don't tell me that "Navies exist to wage war so the sailors are morally corrupt" Don't tell me "Those are the breaks"

That's all bullshit. Those guys were doing a necessary job that can get them killed, just like I do. Things went for a shit big time Sunday and now they are slowly dying, and they know it.

They're sitting there, in the cold, in the dark because their battery power is precious, it's all that can run the equipment that makes the oxygen. If there is any light at all, the only thing they'll see above them is the steel hull.

They're huddled there, not moving. Moving wastes oxygen
They are terrified, but must be silent. Talking wastes oxygen
They're cold, and must press together tightly. Shivering wastes oxygen
They can pray silently, to themselves, but not out loud, where they might all take some comfort. Praying wastes oxygen

It's easy to dismiss those poor freezing bastards stuck under those waves breathing the increasingly fetid air. It's easy to just think of them as a faceless number. Just some more Russians.

Think about it.

Next time you see a city bus go by, think that those guys down there waiting to die would fill three of those. They've been waiting to die all week. They know how unlikely a hope rescue is.

Go to the bank tomorrow
buy two rolls of pennies
spread the coins on a table in front of you
add sixteen more

You'll have a hard time holding them all in your two hands
some will slip, some will fall
maybe roll under some furniture
and be lost
after all..
how much effort is a penny worth?

Line them up
at first they seem identical
look at each one
you will see the differences if you look for them
some different shades of copper
some have nicks, scratches, bends, stains
some are old
some are new

Each penny is a life
Those sailors look alike too, at first glance
Each penny has a name and a mother
and their mothers, fathers, wives, and children can pick them out from the crowd
and tell you that their penny is different
and valuable beyond price.
 

Do them a favour.

Pray to whatever god you believe in, if any,  pray out loud because they have to remain silent and cold.

Pray that they live, because many of them will be praying for death by now.

Pray for the people who love them.

Pray for the guys who are going after them.
 

My prayer for Dmitry and the other 115 is simple

God, please let them all see the sky again
 

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