LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (04/01/01)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Re: the installation of new metropolitan

Dear Editor:

The Ukrainian Weekly has given broad and detailed coverage to the dignified installation of the new Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States. However, being present at the ceremonies on February 27 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Philadelphia, it was disappointing to see the widespread use of English during the divine liturgy and the choir responses.

It was certainly appropriate - in recognition of the large number of non-Ukrainians - to use English, in addition to Ukrainian, during the sermon, Gospel, Epistle and reading of the papal bull. But it was totally inappropriate to force English on half of the service, when it is precisely this liturgy that is to unite Ukrainians throughout the world with their Mother Church in Ukraine.

Such disrespect for our native language is incomprehensible, especially since all present in the church had specially printed booklets containing an exact translation of all the services for non-Ukrainians.

Leo Iwaskiw
Philadelphia

Morton Downey Jr., hero of the underdog

Dear Editor:

Morton Downey Jr. died on Monday, March 12, of complications due to lung cancer. Few people would have thought of this broadcast personality, known as "Mort the Mouth," as a courageous hero of the "underdog" and the downtrodden. And yet, that's exactly his claim to fame among Ukrainian Americans who remember the episode he devoted to the Demjanjuk case. He was one of the original noisy shock jocks with his own popular syndicated television talk show in the 1980s.

Actually, Ed Nishnic should be writing this obituary tribute, for it was his relationship with Mort that climaxed into one of the most exciting and dramatic episodes ever. Who can ever forget how the petite Patience Huntwork completely upstaged the pompous Harvard professional talking head/attorney Alan Dershowitz?

Mr. Dershowitz is most infamous for his contention that John Demjanjuk was guilty of gassing a million Jews at Treblinka because of the way Demjanjuk looks! Of course, Mr. Dershowitz was completely wrong (but not man enough to apologize) because the state of Israel released Mr. Demjanjuk after a lengthy show trial and years of imprisonment. When all the shouting was over there wasn't any proof that Mr. Demjanjuk had ever killed anyone - anywhere - despite Mr. Dershowitz's "he must be guilty of something" plea!

Mr. Downey's show went off the air not too long after that episode, but it is that episode that will earn him a " footnote" in the annals of "freedom and fairness of speech" in Ukrainian American history. I regret that our community never acknowledged his courage, fairness and sensitivity in giving the Demjanjuk supporters a chance to present the truth.

May he rest in peace.

Jaroslaw Sawka
Sterling Heights, Mich.

Air force cooperation: taking the next step

Dear Editor:

In 1994 I wrote here, suggesting that the United States Air Force begin combined operations with the Ukrainian air force. Because of my flight and operations planning career I knew USAF tankers could air refuel Ukrainian receiver aircraft so the two air forces could work together. Since then the U.S. Air Force (through Air National Guard units) has initiated operations and accomplished combined missions in Ukraine. Ukrainian Air Force personnel have come to the United States to learn techniques and military management procedures since then. All of this has taken place in a very positive setting.

The time has come for the second stage of this concept. The USAF has two primary types of aerial tanker aircraft, the KC-10 (very large tanker/cargo aircraft) and the KC-135 (standard size tanker/cargo aircraft). Many KC-135s have been put in storage and are not being used. I envision 12 KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft being sold, leased, lent (any acceptable transfer method) or just given to the Ukrainian air force. This would require crew training (at the tanker base in Oklahoma) and required maintenance training for safe and effective operation of these four-engine Boeing products.

This transfer of air refueling capability would provide many positive results for the United States and Ukraine. Ukraine would become the only other country in continental Europe, with the exception of France, that has this air-refueling capability. United States Air Force (and USN or Marine) units would have an additional locale for any possible future operations/training. Since the KC-135 aircraft has almost unlimited non-stop range (using its own fuel, instead of offloading to a receiver aircraft) Ukrainian air force-sponsored operations could easily visit the United States or other allied locations for exchanges. The KC-135 has a 54-passenger or 80,000-pound cargo capability, in addition to being an aerial tanker.

This would put Ukraine in a very enviable position compared to other Eastern European or Asian countries. Only Israel has similar tanker aircraft and capabilities for air refueling. This would also give pause to Russia and any other nation as it would be tangible proof that a unique relationship exists between the United States and Ukraine. For those who worry about Ukraine going the wrong way in the future, please remember these are U.S.-produced aircraft and we control necessary spare parts and other support needed to use these aircraft. Lastly, these aircraft do not have guns, drop bombs or have any harmful aspects. They would only provide a unique capability for Ukraine and promote a better international relationship between our two countries.

Fellow Ukrainian Americans, if you agree with my "next-step" concept, as expressed here, let the new Bush administration (through your elected representatives) know your desires. This could easily become a win-win situation for both countries.

Steve Olek
Riverside, Calif.

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