Enough Jenkintown residents gathered recently at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center on North Cedar Road to swell attendance to standing room only. Antionette Lee, KYW Newsradio, reported what the crowd shared: tears, pride and hope.

Attendees include both residents from Ukrainian-American community and those of other cultural backgrounds. The main motivator across all heritages was a show of solidarity with Eastern Europeans.

The program began with the State Anthem of Ukraine (Shche ne vmerla Ukrayina), followed by “God Bless America.”

Eugene Luciw, the president and chairman of the board of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America’s Philadelphia branch, offered a solemn remembrance: “… For the fallen, for the injured, for the displaced persons, millions of them.”

A thread of hopeful resolve, however, also permeated the crowd.

“When Ukraine is restored, it’s going to be a powerhouse in Europe,” Luciw added.

More on the Jenkintown show of solidarity at the Ukrainian Educational and Cultural Center is at KYW Newsradio.

_____

The State Anthem of Ukraine.