Ukrainian American Veterans remember fallen comrades on "Zeleni Sviata"

by Peter Polnyj

HAMPTONBURGH, N.Y. - The Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) is a patriotic organization, composed of honorably discharged veterans of the United States armed forces, who are of Ukrainian heritage or descent. This background identifies the UAV as serving a dual function in the public community: It is both an American veterans' organization and an ethnic Ukrainian organization.

Throughout its 55-year history the UAV has been involved in many community affairs revolving around patriotic functions. Its members not only have honorably served in the U.S. armed forces but continue to serve this country as military advisors and translators for U.S.-Ukraine training missions in Ukraine. Some have served on presidential details, while others have been assigned to work in peacekeeping areas that are needed to help the United States in maintaining peace around the world.

Needless to say, many Ukrainian Americans have given their lives for their adopted country, the United States of America. It follows that, as America honors its heroes on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the Ukrainian American Veterans in the Metropolitan New York area hold their own Ukrainian Memorial Day.

Every second Sunday in June - commonly referred to as "Zeleni Sviata" - at the Holy Spirit Cemetery in Hamptonburgh, N.Y., the UAV members gather together and visit the graves of their fallen comrades. An American flag is placed at the foot of each grave and the detail of UAV members renders a salute to the deceased. The Ukrainian American Veterans do not forget the fallen heroes who fought for Ukrainian independence and have come to America to educate their sons and daughters in the traditions and history of our homeland.

During the parastas services, the UAV colors are presented along with the colors of organizations such as the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), the 1st Division of the Ukrainian National Army and the Brody-Lev Brotherhood.

All organizations then proceed to the Monument of Heroes, where a panakhyda service is conducted by Bishop Basil Losten of the Stamford Eparchy. At the conclusion of the services, taps are played, while all members of theese organizations give a salute to the fallen Ukrainian heroes.

The UAV has participated in this annual event for the past six years and has received many heartfelt thank-yous from visitors to the cemetery when they observe the U.S. flag placed at their loved ones' gravesites. It is reassuring to these family members that deceased Ukrainian American veterans have been remembered by the Ukrainian American Veterans organization.

Peter Polnyj is national adjutant of the Ukrainian American Veterans.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, June 16, 2002, No. 24, Vol. LXX

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