Ukrainian Flag Raised Over Middlesex County Administration Building, County Courthouse

The Ukrainian flag was hoisted into the wind-whipped, sleet-filled sky above the Middlesex County Administration Building and Middlesex County Courthouse on Saturday morning.

Below, about 50 people gathered shoulder to shoulder with representatives from the Ukrainian community in Central New Jersey, watching the flag ascend on Bayard Street.

This solemn ceremony was organized by the Middlesex County Board of Commissioners to celebrate the many contributions made by the Ukrainian residents in Middlesex County and show support for the Ukrainian men and women, soldiers and civilians, who are defending their country from Russian invaders.

There were words of encouragement for the Ukrainians and condemnation for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Father Vasyl Pasakas, Secretary of National Headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, located in South Bound Brook, led the group in a prayer for peace.

Father Pasakas said Ukraine has a long history of struggle that includes World War I, World War II, and the genocide by systemic starvation of Ukrainians in the 1930s known as Holodomor.

He said the residents taking refuge from the siege under bridges count their lives in days, hours, and sometimes, minutes.

“The fight between Russia and Ukraine can be compared to a Bible story from the Old Testament – David fighting Goliath,” he said. “David won because he was fighting for justice. God was with him. God was on the side of people who believed in him. And that’s what we believe will happen with Ukraine. Ukraine and the calls to live as a free, sovereign nation will prevail.”

The war some 5,000 miles away has hit home here in Middlesex County, said Commissioner Charles Kenny.

He said that New Jersey has the fourth-highest Ukrainian population in the United States. Some 7,000 Ukrainians live in Middlesex County, putting it in the top 10 among all counties in New Jersey.

Whether by donating supplies or making a contribution to various organizations, Kenny urged Central New Jerseyans to support the Ukrainians, who he said have been defending their land with “unrelenting courage and grit.”

And although most of Saturday’s event focused on supporting Ukraine, there was outrage directed at Putin’s regime.

Commissioner Director Ron Rios drew applause from those inside the administration building when he said, “Vladimir Putin has no right to enter Ukraine, to invade the homes of peaceful people, when in fact the only place he deserved to go is hell.”

Those who attended Saturday’s event included Deputy Commissioner Shanti Narra, Commissioners Claribel Azcona-Barber and Chanelle Scott McCullum, Middlesex County Surrogate Claribel Cortes, and Father Orest Kunderevych from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in New Brunswick.

Three members of Rutgers’ Ukrainian Student Club, Andrew Kudryle, Sofiya Smaluch, and Daria Smaluch, led in the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.

Story by: Chuck O'Donnell

Photo by: Chuck O'Donnell