Participants in 8th Walk for Ukraine not deterred by cold winds on Lift Bridge

By Michele Bourdieu

Participants in the 8th Walk for Ukraine, on April 21, display their flags and signs in support of Ukraine to traffic in Houghton near the Portage Lift Bridge. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo © and courtesy Adelina Oronova)

HOUGHTON -- Braving high winds on and near the Portage Lift Bridge last Thursday, April 21, participants in the 8th Walk for Ukraine held on to their flags and signs as they walked from Houghton across the bridge to Hancock and back.

Hancock resident and Army veteran John Loosemore, who has participated in several of these Walks for Ukraine with his three children -- Kaitlyn, 9; Jethro, 7; and Jacob, 4 -- posted on the Yoopers for Ukraine Facebook page and shared with Keweenaw Now some comments on last week's windy challenges.

"Kaitlyn was complaining about cold hands after we crossed the bridge in the strong wind," Loosemore writes. "I spoke to her a bit about the Ukrainian soldiers holed up in the bombed-out steel plant at Mariupol at that very minute. How they were without enough food or water or medical care or ammunition, completely surrounded by Russians who outnumbered them 10 to 1, without any realistic hope of rescue, and facing death at any minute, yet were determined to fight on for their country's freedom. Kaitlyn immediately suggested we should stay and hold our signs a little longer."

Loosemore adds he and Kaitlyn were keeping a very close eye on little Jacob during the Walk. He notes the wind and cold were the reason he didn't allow Jacob to carry a flag or sign that day.

John Loosemore and his three children wait in the wind for the 8th Walk for Ukraine to begin on April 21. Pictured with their Dad are, from left, Kaitlyn, Jethro and Jacob. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Also participating in this Walk was Ženia Vorodis, a Russian graduate student in computer science at Michigan Tech, who opposes the war and supports his friends from Ukraine.

Ženia Vorodis, a Michigan Tech graduate student from Russia, tells Keweenaw Now why he is walking to support Ukraine. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Jane Reoch of Hancock, also a veteran, displayed a sign she made for the Walk and expressed her strong opposition to Russian aggression against Ukraine.

As participants line up for the April 21, 2022, Walk for Ukraine across the Portage Lift Bridge, Jane Reoch comments on the sign she made and why she has participated in several of these local Walks for Ukraine. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Participants in the April 21, 2022, Walk for Ukraine face high winds on the Portage Lift Bridge as they walk from Houghton to Hancock, displaying flags and signs in support of Ukraine. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Janeen Stephenson of Houghton commented on her reason for participation in the Walk.

"The Ukrainian people have demonstrated to the world what courage is," Stephenson told Keweenaw Now.  "Putin's war on their country is brutal and the devastation of property and death of civilians is criminal. I joined the march on the bridge to show my support for the Ukrainian people and to bring local attention to the ongoing war."

Janeen Stephenson, right, is pictured here with other walkers on the Hancock side of the bridge, where they display their signs and flags for passing traffic. (Photo © and courtesy Anna Hill)

On the Hancock side of the Portage Lift Bridge, participants in the 8th Walk for Ukraine spend some time facing traffic despite strong, cold winds before returning across the bridge to Houghton. (Photo © and courtesy Adelina Oronova)

Ukrainian Anna Hill, now of Chassell, often brings sunflowers (the national flower of Ukraine) to the walks to share with participants. (Photo courtesy Anna Hill)

The Facebook group Yoopers for Ukraine has been organizing these walks on the Portage Lift Bridge. The 9th Walk for Ukraine will be held at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 28. Meet on the Houghton side of the bridge. Some flags and signs will be available or you can bring your own.

Visit the Yoopers for Ukraine Facebook page for more information on local activities to support Ukraine.