SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A memorial service in Lackawanna County commemorating the two-year anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine.
More than a dozen honored and remembered the lives lost and those at war.
Members of the group called Scranton for Ukraine gathered at a coffee shop in downtown Scranton two years to the day after Russia invaded Ukraine.
February 24, 2022, is a day people at this event will never forget. that was the day Russia invaded Ukraine. More than a dozen people living in northeastern Pennsylvania met at Commonwealth Coffee House to talk and share about how their lives were affected after the invasion there.
The founder of the Scranton for Ukraine shares how he felt on this day two years ago when he first heard about the Russian invasion in his home country.
"My brother and I we wanted to go over there and help but didn’t do that so we had to do something locally. we couldn’t find local support so we formed our own group," said Alex Groysman the founder of Scranton 4 Ukranie.
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Their goal was to continue spreading awareness about the war conflict in that region, raise funds, and promote their 5k event, which will be held later this summer.
Merchandise like pins, shirts, and bumper stickers with Ukrainian colors, Ukrainian flags, and Ukrainian-style clothing were sold with funds going to a group in Philadelphia called 'Life for Ukraine' who helps refugees from the conflict area.
"Life for Ukraine in Philadelphia like we did last year they did a lot of work directly with refugees in Ukraine. They have more connections than us," says Groysman.
Members Saturday felt comfort being with loved ones but were also reminded and upset about the war continuing.
"I wish we didn’t have to do this especially two years after and there’s no end in sight so it’s kind of bittersweet. it’s nice to see people out but it’s not nice to see them for this reason," added Groysman.
"It brought back a ton of memories with friends and family that we still have living there. we lost a couple of people that we do know when it first started, I thought it was dreaming," stated Kira Moore member of Scranton 4 Ukraine.
The group is concluding the event by walking from the coffee shop to downtown Courthouse Square to keep awareness up for the war in Ukraine
"We’re ending it with a walk down to the courthouse just to commemorate the war that is still going on in its second year," continued Moore.
To read more information or donate please head to the group's website titled Scranton 4 Ukraine.
