Sarasota County Ukrainians mark first anniversary of Russian invasion

Members of Sarasota County’s Ukrainian and Ukrainian-American community are planning several programs and rallies to mark the one-year anniversary of  Russia’s invasion of the nation on Feb. 24, 2022.

What it's about

President Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Kyiv this week provided a welcome morale boost, said North Port resident Daria Tomashosky, who is organizing a rally Friday in North Port.

“We were thrilled that President Biden came into Ukraine,” she said, expressing hope that the U.S. would supply assistance more quickly to "finish this war, not keep going on and on and on.”

Earlier:Ballroom dance event raises funds used to deliver aid to Ukrainians

Tomashosky said it’s important for people in the United States to remember what’s at stake.

“People are getting Ukraine fatigue. We understand that in any war you get war fatigue. That’s why on the first anniversary we have to be out there so people remember," Tomashosky said, adding, “We’re fighting for democracy for the world, not just for Ukraine."

Event details

These are some of the area is showing solidarity with Ukraine Thursday and Friday:

• Pastor Sergy Lysak from Kyiv, Ukraine, will share his experiences and offer hope and prayer at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church of Sarasota, 104 S. Pineapple Ave., along with church pastor Dr. Sam Wright.

Andrew Roman brought Kysak to Sarasota through his local nonprofit https://www.ukrainianpeace.org. Roman and Lysak worked together in the Kyiv region several times over the past year to help provide relief for refugees.

Related:‘It breaks my heart.’ Ukrainian Sarasota residents pray for their loved ones

Roman has roots in Ukraine and has brought his cousin, Maryna, to live with his family in Sarasota. They will share their stories along with a prayer vigil for Ukraine.

• The Ukrainian American Club, Ukrainian National Women's League of America-Branch 56, Ukrainian American War Veterans, Ukrainian American Men's Club are joining at 5 p.m. Friday for a rally at the intersection of U.S. 41 and Biscayne Boulevard in North Port.

• From noon to 7 p.m. Friday, Danube International Company is hosting “Standing for Freedom, at the Unconditional Surrender statue at Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, between O’Leary’s and Marina Jack.

Participants can write words of encouragement or draw pictures that will be delivered to Ukrainian soldiers. The program will be highlighted by a public prayer at 5:45 p.m., a flag ceremony at 6 p.m. and a minute of silence and lantern balloon ceremony for Ukrainian soldiers and civilians who died in the war at 6:30 p.m.

A full schedule is at https://www.danubeinternationalcompany.org/events or  https://fb.me/e/3ofmDnvDI.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Rallies, ceremonies mark anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine