Ukrainian American Veterans discuss Peace Shield missions (05/03/98)

Ukrainian American Veterans discuss Peace Shield missions

by Roman G. Golash

CHICAGO - Ukrainian American Veterans Post 32, held a conference for the community titled "Peace Shield Missions 1995-1998," on January 24 in conjunction with the Ukrainian American Military Association.

The moderator was Cmdr. Chuck Dobra, USNR, who is also the commander of the Judge Advocate Group at Great Lakes Naval Air Station.

Sgt. 1st Class Peter Lysenko, USAR, discussed his experiences at Peace Shield 95, which took place near Lviv. Sgt. 1st Class Lysenko is also a member of a local military intelligence language company.

A report on Peace Shield 96 was presented by Maj. Roman Golash, USAR, who is also the post commander and operations officer for the Ukrainian American Military Association (UAMA).

Lt. Col. Walter Chyterbok provided a report on the most recent Peace Shield 97 in California and discussed the next Peace Shield 98 mission, which will be held in Ukraine. Lt. Col. Chyterbok is a member of the 85th Training Division at Sheridan Reserve Center. The presentations were prepared in Ukrainian with overheads and slides.

Chicago UAV Post 32, which now has 20 members, continues to contact veterans of the U.S. armed services to join the local organization. In 1999 at the end of September, the local post will host the national convention in Chicago.

The UAV and UAMA are also considering the possibility of publishing a bilingual, Ukrainian-English, book on military missions to Ukraine since 1993 that will include mission descriptions and photos showing the evolving military relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine.

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Those with past military experience in the U.S. military can join the Ukrainian American Veterans; those who live in a city with no active post can organize a post. Those on active duty, or those who are members of the active reserve, may join the Ukrainian American Military Association. For more information contact Maj. Golash, via fax, (847) 885-8565, or e-mail, [email protected].