ST. GEORGE — The Dixie “D” on Black Hill overlooking much of St. George is being lit up in yellow and blue – the colors of the Ukraine flag – as a show of solidarity with the people of Ukraine, Dixie State officials said. 

Last Thursday, Russian military forces invaded Ukraine. Thus far, a mix of the Ukrainian army and militias of residents have held off a larger Russian army from taking over Ukraine’s larger cities, including its capital Kyiv. 

St. George residents might have noticed a test run on Sunday night, but Monday will be the real deal, Dixie State spokesperson Jyl Hall said. 

“Last night, we were practicing to see if we could light the ‘D’ in blue and yellow and it worked out,” Hall said.

St. George is joining in with rallies in support of Ukraine and its people across the state including a rally in Salt Lake City hosted by Gov. Spencer Cox that will culminate in the  State Capitol being lit in yellow and blue.  

“In conjunction with Gov. Cox lighting the Utah State Capitol blue and yellow, the rally at the State Capitol and other organizations around the state showing their support for the people of Ukraine, we will light the ‘D’ blue and yellow,” Hall said.

In a statement, the governor compared the actions of Ukrainians with those of American fighters in both the American Revolution and World War II.

“Over the past few days, we have seen women and men being tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing,” Cox said. “Fortunately, they are meeting their moment in ways that have brought tears to all of our eyes.

“It is breathtaking and inspiring. Famous people, regular people. Ambassadors, boxers, school teachers, moms. All standing up to a maniacally powerful tyrant.” 

There is another connection from St. George to Ukraine. The city’s possible namesake, Christian martyr George of Lydda, is considered a prominent figure in both Ukrainian folklore and religion. May 6 is Saint George Day on the traditional Ukrainian calendar with a feast day that marks spring. The major Ukrainian Christian church in the United States is named for Saint George.

Whether St. George is actually named after the Christian saint is disputed. There are other historical accounts that say it was named for George A. Smith, an apostle in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and first cousin of Brigham Young.

Since an LED lighting upgrade in 2018, the Dixie “D” has been capable of lighting up in different colors at night, which has sometimes been seen with it being lit red for Dixie State Homecoming and red, white and blue for the Fourth of July.

According to the Washington County Historical Society, the “D” consisting of whitewashed rocks has been on Black Hill since February 1915. This means it’s been looking over St. George longer than the Hollywood Sign, which was erected in 1923, has overlooked Hollywood.

Editor’s note, 2 p.m., March 1: Clarification added on origin of St. George name.

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