Lee Allen served two years and found his niche teaching children who have learning difficulties. When he returns to the United States, he hopes to further his education and specialize in art therapy for children with autism and disabilities. He married Tiko, a local, and stayed in Georgia after his term in the Peace Corps was up a year ago awaiting a visa for her. His journey out of Georgia was expected to be with hundreds of others. On Monday, four days into the fighting as Russia seized several towns and a military base deep in western Georgia, Lee Allen evacuated family and friends from one town where they had a family home to his flat elsewhere in the country. As time drew near for Lee and his wife to leave, he could no longer call via cell phone because the Russians had bombed nearby cell towers, Melanie Allen said. But she has received several e-mails. Lee Allen, 34, and his Georgian wife, Tiko, were to have become part of a caravan fleeing the war-torn country. It may be days before Melanie Allen learns if the couple made it out safely.
RPCV Lee Allen is scheduled to begin a risky escape from the country of Georgia
ESCAPE FROM GEORGIA: Ocean Springs woman gathers prayers for son
By KAREN NELSON - klnelson@sunherald.com
Caption: Melanie Allen is seen with her son, Lee, in this family photo. Lee is in the Republic of Georgia where major war has broken out between the breakaway Republic of Georgia and Russia. Last year Lee completed a two-year obligation teaching with the U.S. Peace Corps, and has remained in Georgia awaiting an American visa for his Georgian wife, Tiko.
Melanie Allen has been "scared to death" this week knowing her son was scheduled to begin a risky escape from the country of Georgia, where Russian troops are poised for further invasion.
Lee Allen, 34, and his Georgian wife, Tiko, were to have become part of a caravan fleeing the war-torn country. It may be days before Melanie Allen learns if the couple made it out safely.
She was at her Ocean Springs home Tuesday night with friends who are supporting her.
COURTESY MELANIE ALLEN / Melanie Allen is seen with her son, Lee, in this family photo. Lee is in the Republic of Georgia where major war has broken out between the breakaway Republic of Georgia and Russia. Last year Lee completed a two-year obligation teaching with the U.S. Peace Corps, and has remained in Georgia awaiting an American visa for his Georgian wife, Tiko.
"They have their churches praying for Lee," she Allen said. "There are churches in south Florida and Texas and people all over Ocean Springs praying for him and that's enormously helpful."
Melanie Allen has lived in Ocean Springs since 1994 and Lee has spent much time here. He attended college and worked in Mobile, where his father lives, before going to Georgia with the Peace Corps.
Lee Allen served two years and found his niche teaching children who have learning difficulties. When he returns to the United States, he hopes to further his education and specialize in art therapy for children with autism and disabilities.
He married Tiko, a local, and stayed in Georgia after his term in the Peace Corps was up a year ago awaiting a visa for her.
His journey out of Georgia was expected to be with hundreds of others.
"I'm making myself think positive and pray calm thoughts," Melanie Allen said.
On Monday, four days into the fighting as Russia seized several towns and a military base deep in western Georgia, Lee Allen evacuated family and friends from one town where they had a family home to his flat elsewhere in the country.
As time drew near for Lee and his wife to leave, he could no longer call via cell phone because the Russians had bombed nearby cell towers, Melanie Allen said. But she has received several e-mails.
Lee Allen and his wife had each packed a bag with the minimum of belongings. They had been sleeping in their clothes in case they had to run from their flat in the middle of the night because of bombings.
"We had a couple of very garbled phone conversations yesterday," Melanie Allen said Tuesday. "In one e-mail he said he feels like he's abandoning ship, but at the same time, it's time to come home."
Lee told his mother that under the guise of doing humanitarian work in the region, the Russians had recently rebuilt a central railroad line, which they then used to transport troops and weapons for the invasion.
"His e-mail Tuesday morning said the Russians were still bombing. He could hear it and could hear the bombers going over," Melanie Allen said. "He's hearing there may be ethnic cleansing."
All of that adds to a mother's worries, when she's at home and unable to help. When the ordeal began, she contacted U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker's office and the staff put her in contact with the Georgia Task Force at the State Department. Wicker's spokesman said they will continue to help as Lee Allen and his wife make their journey home.
And Melanie Allen also believes Lee Allen will make it home.
"I have faith in him," she said. "He's a smart young man."
