EDITORIAL: The famine memorial (10/09/83)

EDITORIAL

The famine memorial

In a sense, the October 2 famine observances in Washington were a somber occasion. For most, they recalled a diabolical political gambit - the wanton destruction of 7 million human lives. For a few others, the survivors of the tragedy, they brought back memories of indescribable horror, of suffering, of living on the brink.

But for the some 18,000 patriotic Ukrainians who made their way to the nation's capital from throughout the United States and Canada, their participation in the observances was a source of immense pride in their community and in themselves. And justly so.

True, perhaps more people could have come. But the dedicated individuals who ventured to Washington did so because they realized that, on the 50th anniversary of the famine, there was nothing more immediate, nothing more pressing or morally compelling than to honor the 7 million victims of this atrocity by telling the world about our national holocaust. They realized that only by doing so will the victims not have died in vain. What's more, they succeeded in an orderly and dignified way.

So who was there? Ukrainians of all ages and backgrounds. Over 1,000 members of the Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization marched together with members of ODUM. Among the Ukrainian Orthodox hierarchs who made the trip were Metropolitan Mstyslav, Archbishops Mark and Constantine, and Bishop Wolodymyr Didowycz, who came all the way from Germany. There were people from Toronto, Ohio, Pennsylvania and upstate New York. A busload from Chicago took 17 hours to make the trip. There were some participants who put partisan politics aside and followed the dictates of conscience, and for this they should be commended. So, too, should Rep. Don Ritter of Pennsylvania, who delivered a stirring address about the famine and its ramifications.

But as the rally and demonstration did much to publicize the famine, it also did much to boost the spirit of the Ukrainian community, which has been dispirited of late by internecine squabbling. The events in Washington proved that organized and effective activism is possible if people have the resolve and the courage to act. The people in Washington showed that they had both, and of this they can be rightfully proud.

We will not dwell on those who were not there or why. But when we surveyed the scene near the Washington Monument, we were genuinely moved by the number of elderly Ukrainians, many in their 70s, who endured long bus trips to be present at this important national event. Their presence speaks volumes about those who could have come, but decided to stay home.

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