GLEN SPEY – A vigil in Glen Spey was held in the continued support of the nation of Ukraine, as February 24th marked the one year anniversary of the Russian invasion.

Sullivan County District 2 Legislator Nadia Rajsz, a first generation Ukrainian-American, invited residents of the county to keep those immediately impacted by the ongoing Russian aggressions in their hearts and their minds.

Before offering up prayers of peace and remembrance, Pastor Nancy Vonderhorst read aloud lyrics from Country star Brad Paisley’s single, “Same Here,” which features President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

“However you talk, whatever you think. From the songs that you sing to the drink that you drink. If you miss your mama and worry ‘bout your babies. And love each other like crazy. And want someone to share your hopes and fears. Same here,” Paisley sings in his song, Same Here.

The lyrics continue, “We speak different languages in our life. Yes, but I think we appreciate the same things - children, freedom, our flag, our soldiers, our people. The biggest treasure we have. And friends. And we’re proud of our army who defends our freedom and will defend our lives.”

Rajsz took the podium, recalling the rally that took place one year ago when the invasion first began.

“We will never cease to exist as a people because of Putin’s war and genocide, we are Ukrainian,” Rajsz said. “Ukraine is stronger and more resistant than that.”

Rajsz also recalled the horrors of the Holodomor, a man-made famine used by Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin against the people of Ukraine in the 1930’s, which is estimated to have killed 28,000 people each day. 

More than 13 million people have been uprooted from their homes because of the current conflict, with tens of thousands of men, women, and children losing their lives in Ukraine over the course of the past year, according to Rajsz.

“Like my parents, they are displaced by a war started by a madman,” Rajsz said.

Rajsz welcomed with open arms a number of Ukrainian families who were recently displaced into the Sullivan County community.