Chicago veterans post boasts active year and growing membership (03/30/03)

Chicago veterans post boasts active year and growing membership

by John Steciw

CHICAGO - The Ukrainian American Veterans of Chicago, Post 32, is a veterans organization made up of men and women of Ukrainian heritage who served or are currently serving in a military capacity in defense of our great nation. The post was organized a few years ago and is part of the national UAV established in 1948.

"It's been a great year," said Lt. Col. Walter Chytorbok (U.S. Army, ret.), the post commander. "We started with a handfull of veterans and now have over 30 active members and growing." "Our membership consists of people of varied backgrounds, both social and economic," added Staff Sgt. John Steciw (U.S. Army, ret.), the protocol and public relations officer. "On a personal level, we're all involved in the Ukrainian community. Individually, we participate on a number of levels, from youth organizations and church groups, to politics and the arts. As a group, our common bonds are our Ukrainian heritage and our military service to the United States."

Post 32, demographically, is one of the youngest in the country. Although the post is relatively new, it's very active. This past year saw it's participation in many events:

Along with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post and past members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), they helped identify, clear and place flags on the graves of veterans buried at St. Nicholas Cemetery. They participated in the ceremonies held on Memorial Day and Zeleni Sviata and will be continuing the activities of the VFW post as regards the Veteran's Memorial Walkway.

Next year, plans are being made to expand these activities to St. Andrew's Cemetery and the Ukrainian section of Elmwood Cemetery, according to Wally Basarab, the post's quartermaster.
Post members were in attendance at Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's reception commemorating Ukrainian Independence Day.
Post 32 was involved in the raising of the Ukrainian and American flags during ceremonies held in downtown Chicago, at the Daley Plaza, in observance of Ukrainian Independence Day.

"Our post is proud to have been designated by the mayor's office of cultural affairs as the sponsors of next year's events at Daley Plaza," said Jerry Jaworsky, the vice-commander.
Post 32 was invited to participate in the official 2003 Memorial Day parade held by the City of Chicago.
Post members were involved with the ceremonies held on the grounds of St. Andrew's Church in the solemn observance of the Great Famine of 1932-1933.
Post members posted colors and paid respect during the ceremonies commemorating the anniversary of UPA and its surviving members.
The post sent a delegation to the annual UAV convention held in Independence, Ohio.
In December, Post 32 held its first annual Christmas party at the Ukrainian American Club in Chicago. "A good time was had by all and everyone behaved," quipped Roman Zahorodnyj, the group's sergeant-at-arms. Many thanks were offered to John Horodecki and the Ukrainian American Club for being such gracious hosts.

Two members, Adam Bihun, the post's adjutant, and Mr. Steciw, are currently working on a compilation series of musical CDs featuring the talents of many of the Ukrainian American bands from the Chicago area over the years. "We hope to achieve two main goals with this project," said Mr. Bihun. First, sales of these CD's would help raise money for our post. Second, and more importantly, is to archive some of the musical achievements of our immigration and the role this music played in the history and preservation of our Ukrainian culture in Chicago. The musical rights for this project have been donated to the UAV by various groups.

The mission statement of Post 32 is both simple and ambitious:

"To preserve the memory of our Ukrainian American brethren who gave the ultimate sacrifice with their lives in preserving the freedom of our country and our way of life.

"To inform and educate not only our community but the public at large, about the contributions and sacrifices of Ukrainian Americans in our Armed Forces throughout the years.

"To create a forum for the questions and concerns of our veterans and their families.

"To help, along with the national UAV, archive the military service of Ukrainian Americans.

To erect a monument, in the Ukrainian Village neighborhood of Chicago, commemorating Ukrainian American Veterans who served our nation since the Civil War.

"We've already received some very positive responses from city hall about this project," said Mr. Chytorbok.

For more information about becoming a member of the Ukrainian American Veterans of Chicago, Post 32, readers may contact Mr. Bihun, (773) 276-6164, or Mr. Steciw, (773) 227-8708.

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