New Jersey's Gov. McGreevey hosts 1,300 Ukrainians on Independence Day (09/01/02)

New Jersey's Gov. McGreevey hosts 1,300 Ukrainians on Independence Day

by Andrew Nynka

PRINCETON, N.J. - In a turnout that some state officials called a surprise, Ukrainians came out in droves for a historic flag-raising ceremony at the New Jersey governor's mansion on August 24. The event marked the first time the flag of free Ukraine flew at the governor's Drumthwacket residence since the country gained its independence 11 years ago.

Officials at Gov. James E. McGreevey's office counted approximately 1,300 guests at the event and said the attendance made a significant impact on the governor's awareness of the Ukrainian community in New Jersey.

Guests, like Zenia Brozyna of Woodridge, N.J., said they came in support of Ukraine on its Independence Day. Mrs. Brozyna, a longtime resident of New Jersey, added that, "this was the first time I could celebrate this important date together with the governor of my state."

And, by the account of many guests, the governor showed himself to be well-informed and concerned about Ukraine. "It was obvious that he took the time to find out about Ukrainians and the problems Ukrainians have had. But he also seemed knowledgeable about the things Ukraine still needed to do. He seemed very personally involved and interested in Ukrainian issues," another of the guests, Katherine Steciuk, said.

Guests called Gov. McGreevey well-informed and a dynamic speaker who gave hours of his time for Ukrainians. Mrs. Brozyna said she was "very surprised by the depth of his knowledge of Ukraine."

One official at the governor's office commented on the large turnout. Toral Patel, the governor's deputy director of ethnic and minority affairs, said it was the largest group Gov. McGreevey had hosted during his term and added that her office had not been aware of such a large Ukrainian community in New Jersey.

Nevertheless, some guests were disappointed with the turnout and said the majority of those present were older. Dr. Steciuk added that the turnout did not truly represent the Ukrainian community. "I would have liked to have seen more youth at the event," she said.

During the two-hour program the governor noted Ukraine's long struggle for freedom and self-determination, and commended its citizens and the diaspora for upholding that fight for so many years. "We must remember to support a free and independent Ukraine," the governor said. "The battle for Ukrainian independence will not end on this anniversary celebration or any future anniversary celebration. That battle will always be there."

The governor added that Ukrainians in New Jersey played a strong role in upholding a heritage and culture that dates back over a millennium and said his administration would continue to uphold that community. He said New Jersey's education curriculum would now offer students the ability to learn about the Ukraine Famine of 1932-1933 through his famine curriculum and added that the state ethnic committee would have a Ukrainian representative.

But the governor also focused on Ukraine's future. "Let us not be fooled," he said, "we need to understand what will secure a strong, independent Ukraine is full integration into the NATO agreement." He urged people not to forget Ukraine and said, "God willing, for as long as this greatest of nations - the United States - is strong, there will always be a free and independent Ukraine."

Speaking on behalf of the governor's Ukrainian Independence Day Committee Theodore Romankow, whom Gov. McGreevey recently appointed to the position of Union County Prosecutor, thanked Gov. McGreevey for giving Ukrainians the opportunity to hold the flag-raising at the governor's residence. He noted the significance and meaning of the event for guests who personally struggled through oppressive regimes, war and famine.

Ukraine's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Valeriy P. Kuchinsky said the event also marked the realization of a long-held dream. "The things our predecessors dreamed about are coming true," he said. He focused his remarks on Ukraine's success in diplomatic and international arenas, saying it was important for people to remember that in its brief history the country had moved forward on democratic principles. He said that with the support of people like Gov. McGreevey, Ukraine would continue to do so.

Minister Counselor of the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington Volodymyr Yatsenkivskyi addressed the crowd as the day's keynote speaker. His comments centered on Ukraine's achievements since 1991. He said Ukraine, with the help of its allies, is making the reforms necessary to become a strategic part of a democratic world community.

The program included an invocation by Metropolitan-Archbishop Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church and a closing benediction by Archbishop Antony of the Eastern Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., as well as a brief history of Ukraine by Dr. Bohdan Vitvitsky, a statement by recently re-elected Clifton City Councilman Stefan Tatarenko, the "Pledge of Allegiance," the singing of "God Bless America," the introduction of the Ukrainian and American flags by the Ukrainian American Veterans and musical selections by a bandura trio from Clifton, N.J.

Groups and individuals, including the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America - Coordinating Council of New Jersey and the Ukrainian Flag-Raising Committee, bestowed kind words and gifts on Gov. McGreevey.

Following the benediction, Olga Bodnar Talyn sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and, as the Ukrainian flag was raised for the first time above the governor's mansion, led the gathering in singing the Ukrainian national anthem.

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