UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Celebrations throughout North America: New Jersey (10/07/01)

UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY: Celebrations throughout North America

New Jersey

by Walter Bodnar

EAST HANOVER, N.J. - "We have reached the first 10-year milestone of independent Ukraine" was the theme at New Jersey's statewide 10th anniversary celebration of Ukraine's independence held at the Ramada Hotel in East Hanover, N.J., on Saturday, September 22.

Although the atmosphere at the banquet, attended by more than 300 people, was somber and gray - colored by the heart-wrenching aura of the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States, the commemoration was carried off with solemnity and hope for a better future. The audience also received a preview of what to expect from Ukraine 10 years hence.

After the singing of the American and Ukrainian national anthems, the invocation was delivered by the Rev. Bohdan Lukie, pastor of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark. Banquet chairman John Burtyk introduced the master of ceremonies, Nestor Olesnycky, who called for a moment of silence for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the downed jet in Pennsylvania.

The first speaker was Hryhorii Omelchenko, who heads the anti-corruption committee in Ukraine's Parliament. The national deputy asked whether we are satisfied with what we now have in Ukraine after 10 years.

"We must face ourselves and face the truth," he said, "We yearned for a free Ukraine after many years under the yoke of Moscow, which dealt us famine, eliminated our intellectuals and hammered at our spiritual values. Our hopes were high at the announcement of independence in 1991, but the lack of morals in culture, economics, human rights and national ideals has resulted in corruption at top levels."

Mr. Omelchenko continued: "You should know that censorship and harassment of journalists, and a denigration of the Ukrainian language exists under the present regime. However, once we take affairs into our own hands with a resolute effort of heart, mind and body, and form a coalition to oust the present corruptors, Ukraine will rise and we will regard our motherland with dignity, hope and a feeling of accomplishment. The present muddled situation will then become but a vanishing memory as we celebrate the 20th year of Ukrainian independence."

Askold Lozynskyj, keynote speaker and president of Ukrainian World Congress, who took an active part in the recent third World Forum of Ukrainians in Kyiv, observed that as newly independent Ukraine celebrated its 10th anniversary some unwise decisions or mistakes were bound to happen. "We must be patient," he said, "for better days are coming."

He noted that, "although Leonid Danylovych Kuchma understands his mission more and more with each passing year, he will retire one day and another president will take his place. We must acknowledge that President Kuchma has been very active in foreign affairs - visiting heads of state and taking part in international parleys. In 1996 Ukraine adopted a new Constitution, which is on par with other leading countries in the world. There have also been positive signs in the economic sphere."

"There is only one Ukraine - we have no other," the UWC leader underscored. "We must always keep the Ukrainian ideal in the forefront and vow in the next 10 years to unite with the least of our Ukrainian brethren. We in the diaspora must be a unit in this rebirth."

Commenting on religious affairs, Mr. Lozynskyj noted that there are more than 3,000 churches in Ukraine. The Ukrainian Catholic Church has been making progress and Pope John Paul II's recent tour of Ukraine has uplifted the Church - both the Byzantine and the Latin rites - in spite of the Russian Orthodox Church's visible opposition to the papal visit.

Col. Victor Gvozd, military attaché at Ukraine's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, stated that "it is a fact that Ukraine exists." It is true that problems still persist, but they are steadily being solved, he explained, adding, progress is being made and a bright future is in store for Ukraine in the next 10 years.

A similar note was struck by Ukraine's consul general in New York, Serhiy Pohoreltzev, who said that given more time everything will work out for the best.

A number of special guests appeared on the dais to offer their best wishes on this occasion of Ukraine's 10th anniversary while being cognizant of the difficult period the United States is now going through due to the recent terrorist onslaught.

Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) said that we can "help to make this the greatest country on earth and to help keep Ukraine free."

New Jersey State Sen. Anthony Bucco, Republican assistant majority leader, stated that, "with a unity of purpose, we can overcome our present difficulties.

Bret Schundler, the Republican candidate for governor of New Jersey, said that in spite of the recent tragedy, we can advance the cause of peace.

Speaking on behalf of the Democratic candidate for governor James E. McGreevey, his mother, Bonnie McGreevey offered a solemn prayer to heal the wounds inflicted by destructive forces and conveyed the candidate's best wishes to the Ukrainian community.

A proclamation for Ukraine's 10th anniversary that was issued by Mr. McGreevey in his role as mayor of Woodbridge Township was read by the candidate's sister, Sharon, who also noted the seriousness of the recent tragedy both for the United States and the world.

Michael Sawkiw, Jr. president of Ukrathe inian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) came from Washington to offer his best wishes for Ukraine's 10th anniversary. The master of ceremonies read messages from numerous organizations and individuals, and acknowledgments were given to the Ukrainian National Assocation and the UCCA New Jersey Council for providing the initiative in forming the statewide 10th Anniversary of Ukraine's Independence Committee.

A musical interlude followed, with selections from Ukrainian and other operatic arias sung by Olesh Chmyr, baritone, and Anna Bachynska, soprano, accompanied by pianist Volodymyr Vynnytsky.

Concluding the program were remarks by the anniversary committee's chairman, Michael Koziupa, who thanked the statewide committee and its sponsors, namely the UNA, UCCA New Jersey Council, Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union and Michael Halibej, realtor.

Mr. Koziupa also gave a special tribute to the oldest generation in the diaspora for taking the more difficult road of raising their children as Ukrainian Americans, who remember their heritage, traditions and language. These "hyphenated Ukrainians" around the world are helping Ukraine achieve a brighter future, he said.

Mr. Koziupa also commended the Ramada Hotel's general manager, Orest Fedash, for his banquet arrangements and contributions to the cocktail hour which preceded the main event.

The Rev. Yuriy Sivko, representing the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., offered the benediction. This was followed by the singing of "God Bless America" by all present.

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