THE 12th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE (09/14/03)

THE 12th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

LackawannaCounty, Pa.

SCRANTON, Pa. - On Friday, August 22, the Lackawanna County Commission-ers invited members of the Ukrainian community to the County Court House in Central City Scranton to celebrate the 12th anniversary of Ukraine's Independence.

Commissioners Randy A. Castellani, Joseph J. Corcoran and Robert C. Cordaro proclaimed Sunday, August 24, as "Ukrainian Independence Day" in Lackawanna County, emphasizing that Ukrainians throughout the world have preserved an indestructible spirit of religious, cultural, historical and national identity. They noted that all freedom-loving people and the Ukrainian Heritage Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania share in the celebration of the anniversary of Ukraine's long-awaited self-determination and casting off of Soviet Communism.

Coordinated by the Ukrainian Heritage Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the ceremonies took place outdoors at the main entrance to the Court House and also included the raising of the Ukrainian flag and the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem and "The Star-Spangled Banner."

San Antonio, Texas

SAN ANTONIO - The nascent San Antonio-area Ukrainian hromada held its first annual Ukrainian Independence Day celebration on Sunday, August 24. Despite threatening skies, the weather held up, and about 50 adults and children participated. A potluck picnic was hosted by Paul and Susan Copeland at their neighborhood association pavilion, featuring grilled kebabs and an assortment of delectable picnic food.

Besides food and fellowship and some recorded Ukrainian music, the area's Ukrainian Americans marked the occasion with a prayer for Ukraine, a toast to Ukraine (with Ukrainian "horilka," of course), and a spirited rendition of "Shche ne vmerla Ukraina." (It was sobering to note that none of our recent immigrants knew the words to the national anthem.)

As usual, this year it was an eclectic group, including Ukrainians by birth, Ukrainians by blood, Ukrainians by marriage, parents of little Ukrainians, and Ukrainians by association - two women who had spent time in Kyiv teaching. Several new members, as well as some folks from up the road in Austin, were present as well. Organizers of the event said that next time they hope to include Ukrainian soldiers from the Defense Language Institute at Lackland Air Force Base. (The next gathering will be for a bandura concert by Julian Kytasty in September.)

The hromada (community) in central and south Texas is always searching for more Ukrainians. If you know of someone in the Austin area, they are asked to contact Natalia Lysyj at [email protected]; in the San Antonio area contact Stephen Sokolyk at (830) 606-5810, or [email protected].

Ocean County, N.J.

TOMS RIVER, N.J. - The Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders recently hosted a flag-raising ceremony commemorating the 12th year of Ukraine's independence. Pictured (from left) with members of the Ukrainian American Club of Ocean County are John Bortnyk, flag-raising coordinator Ihor Dworjan, trustee, and Freeholder Director John C. Bartlett, Jr.

Cook County, Ill.

CHICAGO - Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas (left) met Consul General of Ukraine Borys Bazylevsky and his wife at the 12th anniversary of Ukraine independence gala. She congratulated them on their work within the Chicago Ukrainian community. Treasurer Pappas spoke at the event as part of the Treasurer's Outreach Program and Services (TOPS).

| Home Page |