Jax Beach neighborhood draped in blue and yellow for Ukraine

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A home in Jacksonville Beach lit up in blue and yellow to show support for Ukraine last week.

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The solidarity spread, as other neighborhoods put out flags and bows along 10th St. sporting the Ukraine colors.

“Even though we’re obviously a far distance away, we are still thinking of them, and they are on our minds,” Elizabeth Cox said.

She lit her house in blue and yellow without knowing her neighbor a few houses down is Ukrainian.

“All people are united. All people are helping each other. And, all people are trying to withstand it and win,” said Nataliya Roman.

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Seeing the lights last Tuesday night on her street brought her to tears.

Roman is a professor at the University of North Florida, but she grew up in Ukraine and worked there as a TV reporter for eight years before moving to the United States about 12 years ago.

“It’s absolutely horrible. You wake up, check the news and just hope nothing bad happens to them,” she said in reference to her family, who still lives in Ukraine.

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Roman said most have come out of hiding as the conflict has raged on for two weeks.

“They hear sirens all day long, all day long. And they stop hiding because it’s impossible to live like this,” she said.

She added that symbols of support are a sign that her country will overcome.

Even a billboard along Jacksonville Beach Blvd. reads, “United We Stand With Ukraine.”

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