Ukrainian American Veterans to erect monument at Orthodox center (04/17/05)

Ukrainian American Veterans to erect monument at Orthodox center

SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. - For decades there has been a strong desire among the membership of the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) to construct a national monument that would pay tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Americans of Ukrainian ancestry who gave so much - in many cases their very lives - in service to the United States.

The idea of a national monument honoring all Ukrainian Americans who served in the U.S. armed forces was presented to Archbishop Antony, president of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. approximately one year ago. The archbishop enthusiastically embraced the idea and, after discussions with the hierarchs and Metropolitan Council of the Church, offered a plot of land in a prime location on the grounds of St. Andrew's Memorial Church and Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J., as the site for the monument.

Most appropriate is the fact that the site in South Bound Brook has historical significance dating back to the American Revolution. The property was owned by Hendrick Fisher, a leader of the New Jersey delegation to the Continental Congress. The family's private cemetery is now surrounded by the graves of Ukrainians who fought for freedom both in Ukraine and in the United States. Thus, this presents a unique blending of two histories - Ukrainian and American.

On October 21, 2004, at a meeting presided over by newly elected UAV National Commander Anna Krawczuk, a group of veterans and clergy met and formed the Ukrainian American Veterans National Monument Committee. Honorary chairmen are Metropolitan Constantine of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the U.S., and long-time UAV activist Stephen Wichar. Archbishop Antony is an active advisor to the committee.

Co-chairmen of the committee are UAV Immediate Past National Commander Mathew Koziak and the Rev. Protopresbyter Frank Estocin of the UOC-USA. The treasurer is National Commander Krawczuk and assistant treasurer is Dobrodiyka Irene Estocin. The committee secretary is UAV National Adjutant Walter Bodnar.

Other committee members include the Rev. Protopresbyter William Diakiw, UOC; Archpriest Daniel Gurovich, Ukrainian Catholic Church; PNC and UAV National Historian Vasyl Luchkiw; Vice-President Oksana Koziak of the UAV Ladies Auxiliary; UAV National Webmaster Walter Demetro; UAV Post 30 Commander Bernard Krawczuk; UAV National Public Relations Officer Michael Wowk; and UAV Past National Commander Edward Zetick.

Further and more information concerning the monument will appear in various community newspapers. For inquiries and to send donations, readers may write to: UAV National Monument Committee, P.O. Box 5058, Somerset, NJ 08875-5058.

| Home Page |