HOUGHTON -- With the exception of a bit of wind on the Portage Lift Bridge, participants in 10th Walk for Ukraine from Houghton to Hancock and back on May 4, 2022, enjoyed pleasant, sunny weather and dry ground.
Nazar Gora -- co-organizer with his wife, Adelina Oronova -- posted photos of the Walk on the Yoopers for Ukraine Facebook page along with these comments: "It's been more than two months of Russian aggression, and this is not time to give up! Here in Keweenaw, we show that our community is with Ukraine standing for the same values: democracy, freedom, and rights. And we are very happy for you all being with us and walking through this hard time for the Ukrainian nation. Glory to Ukraine! Glory to Heroes! Slava Ukraini! Heroiam Slava!"*
As the Walk begins, participants display their signs to passing traffic. (Video by Keweenaw Now)One special guest at the May 4 Walk for Ukraine was Bishop Rayford Ray, the Episcopal Bishop of Northern Michigan (His diocese includes the entire Upper Peninsula), who traveled many miles to participate. Bishop Ray has his office in Marquette and lives near Rapid River. Here he speaks about the importance of events like this Walk for Ukraine:
Bishop Rayford Ray, the Episcopal Bishop of Northern Michigan, speaks with Keweenaw Now during the 10th Walk for Ukraine on May 4 in Houghton. (Video by Keweenaw Now)Nazar Gora expressed thanks to Bishop Ray for a donation he made during his visit to Houghton.
"We would like to thank Bishop Rayford Ray and the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan for financially supporting Ukraine!" Gora said in his Facebook post. "The donated money will go to my family's friend, a military chaplain, who delivers military humanitarian help to the frontline in Eastern Ukraine. Thank you all for keeping in touch with us and caring about Ukraine!"
Participants in the 10th Walk for Ukraine return to Houghton from Hancock on the Portage Lift Bridge. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
After returning to Houghton, participants in the Walk stood on the corner of the Houghton side of the bridge displaying their signs and flags to traffic passing by.
Terry Lahti of Houghton, retired engineer and longtime Copper Country resident, told Keweenaw Now he was participating in the Walk on May 4 to support Ukrainians fighting against Putin and his aggression.
"I am marching to support the brave Ukrainians who are fighting that murderous criminal dictator Putin, who has been responsible for the deaths of thousands of innocent Ukrainian men, woman, and children," Lahti said. "Putin has started this war over false accusations of Ukrainian aggressions, just so that he could increase his control over the Russian people. The Russian people will eventually realize that Putin has killed thousands of young Russian men just to inflate his ego."
Keweenaw County resident Joanne Thomas of Allouez, who is of Croatian descent, commented on her experience participating in the Walk for Ukraine for the first time.
"This was my first time marching for 'Slava Ukraini,'" Thomas noted. "I left the event reflecting on the sense of imminent desperation and anguish of the leaders of this group who are from Ukraine or have ties to their citizens. (They reminded me of the haunting gaze of friends from war-torn Croatia that I knew in the early 90s.) It is true that at this time, assisting in saving Ukraine is literally saving the free world from fascism."
Yoopers for Ukraine, organizers of these walks, have been holding additional events in support of Ukraine, including displays of children's shoes and toys this week to honor the children killed during this war. Watch for more photos and videos, coming soon.
*Click here to visit the Yoopers for Ukraine Facebook page to learn more about their events, see more photos and videos, and join them in support of Ukraine.
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