Each Sunday since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022, our friends in Oshawa, Ontario hold a weekly rally [no matter the weather!] at the Albert Street bridge over Highway 401 – the Highway of Heroes. Today – Sunday, May 10 / Mother’s Day – is no exception.
Did you know … ?
The first Mother’s Day in North America was a response by mothers who, after the American Civil War (ending in 1865), were tired of sending their sons off to die in war. Thus, mothers declare the 2nd Sunday of May a day of peace, for mothers. The first Mother’s Day in Canada didn’t occur until May, 1914. Ironically, just months prior to the onset of the First World War.
And so, this day – Mother’s Day – Canadians who stand with Ukraine also stand with Ukraine’s mothers, praying for peace for all.
When we are able to journey into Oshawa, we join “Oshawa Stand With Ukraine” rallies at the bridge over the Highway of Heroes. Waving Ukrainian and Canadian flags to motorists who respond with waves and blaring honking horns. Every Sunday, dozens of drivers in cars and trucks traveling home, to visit family, on the way back from the cottage, delivering goods, acknowledge that they see us, that they haven’t forgotten about Ukraine either.
After, there are refreshments. Sometimes, a community gathering for postcard-writing to Defenders. At St. George Ukrainian Catholic Church. Or, at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Or, down by Lake Ontario at the Oshawa Museum.
Recently, ForumTV featured Stand with Ukraine Oshawa, including Postcards to the Front [by Bohdan Kolacz, KFilms – you can hear us at the 5:18 mark). Click below to view.
Thank you to all in the Oshawa/Durham community – residents, political leaders, church leaders, community institutions, the Ukrainian community, and BCU Financial / Foundation – for your sustained support of Ukraine in so many ways, including writing thousands of postcard messages of support to Defenders of Ukraine.
Please tell others about this project.
Not sure how to get started? Check our “How to” page, and our Ukrainian phrases page. Maybe you want to organize a group of family, friends or others to write postcards? We have a page with suggestions about How to Run a Postcard-Writing Workshop.
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Your cards do make a difference, as Danylo tells us from the front lines –
Nothing warms the soldiers’ heart as a handwritten letter.
Postcards to the Front (Canada / Канада) 
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