Public Event For Anniversary Of Russian Invasion Of Ukraine To Be Held In Maplewood

MAPLEWOOD, NJ — Officials from Maplewood and South Orange will remember the victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and commemorate the anniversary of the invasion this Saturday evening. The public is invited.

International and national news outlets have said that a true death toll in the invasion — which began in late February 2022 — is elusive, but they estimate that at least 200,000 troops and civilians have died.

The casualties included children, such as a 4-year-old girl with Down Syndrome who was killed by a Russian missile as she was being taken for speech therapy last year.

Maplewood Mayor Dean Dafis and South Orange Village President Sheila Collum will give remarks, as will Father Sviatoslav Hot from the Ukranian Orthodox Church of Holy Ascension and other faith-based and community representatives.

Ukranian music will be played, and officials will light candles.

Maplewood Town Hall will be lit in the colors of the Ukraine.

The event takes place Saturday, Feb. 25 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Town Hall, 574 Valley St. in Maplewood.

Meanwhile, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-11th Dist.) read a statement into the Congressional Record Friday morning, "Recognizing the anniversary of Russia’s unprovoked war in Ukraine and honoring the strength of the Ukrainian people."

She was scheduled to deliver the address Friday night at the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey’s memorial service.

Statement as delivered to the Congressional Record

Mister Speaker, I rise today to recognize the strength of the Ukrainian people after enduring one year of merciless attacks by Russian forces. February 24, 2023, marks one year since Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions of people.

When Putin ordered his tanks and forces into regions like Mariupol and Kharkiv, he thought Ukraine would fall in a matter of days. Instead of an easy victory, Putin’s war of aggression has been a dismal failure.

In the past year, I visited Ukraine right before the Russian invasion and again this past summer. There, I saw clear evidence of Putin’s war crimes – atrocities against civilians and children, and attacks on the Ukrainian people’s very existence as a nation. I walked around St. Andrew’s Church in Bucha where 116 people were buried in a mass grave because the city morgue was completely occupied. But I also saw Ukrainians display remarkable resilience and bravery, even when Russian forces attacked basic services and critical civilian infrastructure.

The people of Ukraine refuse to be forced into an authoritarian state where any opposition is met with jail, torture, or murder. They are prepared to pay the ultimate price for their freedom. Ukrainian armed forces and leadership, like President Zelensky, defend their homeland with skill, determination, and bravery.

I have met with many NATO members over the past year and am proud to report that NATO is stronger than ever. We are more united than ever in providing military, economic, and humanitarian assistance to support Ukraine’s right to sovereignty.

The United States and our Western allies understand that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is not just a Ukraine problem, it’s a battle between democracy and authoritarianism worldwide. We are delivering a strong and unequivocal answer: we will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow, and forever.

Since the invasion, the United States has provided unprecedented support and coordination, which has helped the Ukrainian military make exponential gains. During my last trip, I told President Zelensky about his deep support from the Ukrainian-American community here in the United States. I have met with Parliamentarians from Ukraine throughout the war, twice in the past two months alone, as well as the Mayor of Kyiv, and it is always important to me to share the deep support they have from Americans from across the country.

Our area, which has one of the largest Ukrainian-American populations in the United States, has demonstrated remarkable generosity and determination to support the children, families, and servicemembers of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Cultural Center of NJ has shipped 18 containers to Ukraine with aid valued at over $4 million. Local families have opened their homes to Ukrainians seeking refuge from the conflict. Our local governments and law enforcement have sent supplies, including equipment like bullet-proof vests.

Picatinny Arsenal in my congressional district has been integral to Ukraine’s military success. They have developed the primary cannon being used by the Ukrainian army, and continue to be responsible for every piece of ammunition being sent by the United States to Ukraine. We are so proud of their work and dedication.

The US and our fellow democracies must continue to support Ukraine in 2023 to prevent a new era of authoritarianism. I remain committed to protecting the fundamental values of peace, prosperity, and stability across the globe.