COMMUNITY CHRONICLE: Michigan groups mark Veterans' Day (12/16/01)

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE

Michigan groups mark Veterans' Day

by Stephen M. Wichar Sr.

WARREN, Mich. - Michigan's Ukrainian American Veterans Post 101 celebrated Veterans' Day with morning and afternoon memorial services.

At precisely 11:00 hours, on Sunday, November 11, to coincide with Armistice Day of World War I, veterans of World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm as well as veterans of the Ukrainian Galicia Division and the Ukrainian Insurgent Army, assembled in Warren, Mich., to conduct memorial services and to honor all who have made the supreme sacrifice in many conflicts.

A special tribute was offered at the Ukrainian Veterans Monument, flanked by both the American and Ukrainian flags, located on the beautifully landscaped grounds of the Ukrainian Future Credit Union.

Lt. Col. Oleh Cieply (retired) commander of UAV Post 101, was in charge of the memorial detail. He called on the Very Rev. Basyl Salkowski to lead the assembly in memorial prayer. After several commentaries related to the origin of Veterans' Day, the veterans were dismissed.

The main event for the day was the 38th annual Veterans' Day and Remembrance Day Service, a memorial to all who have made the supreme sacrifice in wars of the United States, Canada and Great Britain. The Gold Star Mothers participated in this tribute. The service was held in the center of Detroit in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, a 13th Century English Gothic style church that was the first Episcopal congregation to be organized in the Northwest Territory.

The Very Rev. Stephen H. Bancraft, dean of the cathedral, called the congregation to a "Choral Evensong and Act of Remembrance" at 4 p.m. A "Testimonial Lament" was presented by the 42nd Highlanders Parade under the command of Maj. J. Duffield Vaughn, and colors were placed upon the altar. In a processional hymn, national and unit colors were trooped. Along with units from Canada, Great Britain and United States, the Ukrainian American Veterans Post 101 brought their national colors.

After several Psalms and the Lord's Prayer, brief prayers were given by representatives of different branches of the service, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and the Gold Star Mothers. The keynote address was delivered by Lt. Gen. Romeo A. Dullaire, Canadian Defense, (retired). An offertory was conducted and presented to the Chaplain's Discretionary Fund. In a solemn presentation of colors, three national anthems were sung by the assembly: "O Canada," "God Save the Queen" and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

A full two-minute silence was observed for those who perished at war, and "Taps" and the "Last Post" were bugled to mark the passing of the honored dead. A spirited "Reveille" was sounded as a symbol of new hope for those who carry on. The presented colors were then retired.

The tragedy of September 11 was remembered with the Cathedral Choir singing "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Remembrance Day was concluded with a Postlude by the 42nd Highlanders.

Sixty-nine civic, patriotic, lineal and veterans organizations were represented and honored during this day. The Air Force, Navy and Army Junior ROTC, Civil Air Patroll and Michigan's USAF Auxiliary were a part of this remembrance service.

All participants were invited to attend a reception in Barth Hall.

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