Shevchenko Monument - A "New Statue Of Liberty" (06/27/04)

ARAS SHEVCHENKO IN WASHINGTON: 1964-2004

The Ukrainian Weekly, July 3, 1964

Shevchenko Monument - A "New Statue Of Liberty"
- Unveiled In Washington By General Eisenhower In Solemn Ceremonies

100,000 PARTICIPANTS CHEER HIS CALL FOR A "NEW WORLD OF FREEDOM";

HAILS SHEVCHENKO AS SYMBOL OF UKRAINIAN INDEPENDENCE

WASHINGTON, D.C., June 27, 1964 (W.D.) - General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States of America, officially unveiled the Shevchenko monument today, as some 100,000 Americans and Canadians of Ukrainian descent, and many Ukrainians from other parts of the world cheered and applauded the former President of the United States.

General Dwight D. Eisenhower called for a "new world movement" to encourage the peoples of the captive nations, including those inside the Soviet Union and Red China, to throw off the communist tyrants who are holding them in captivity and enslavement.

Prior to the unveiling ceremony, more than 40,000 paraded in what appeared to be one of the largest parades ever held in Washington, D.C., according to newspapermen and police officials. The marchers took their stride in exemplary order. Despite the scorching sun and humidity, there were no casualties. Led by Colonel William Rybak, parade marshal, they included members of the Shevchenko Monument Honorary Sponsoring Committee, the Shevchenko Anniversary Honorary Committee, members of the executive boards of the Shevchenko Memorial Committee of America and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, then representatives of Ukrainian organizations from overseas countries from Western Europe and South America (Argentina and Venezuela), and a large group numbering several thousand Ukrainians from Canada, Ukrainian American organizations, representatives of the captive nations and strong units of Ukrainian American youth organizations.

Rousing Ovation And Enthusiasm

General Eisenhower was cheered for several minutes by the enthusiastic crowds, and the chanting of "We Like Ike" reverberated throughout the area filled by the 100,000-strong festive audience.

The ceremony was opened by Prof. Lev E. Dobriansky, president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and vice-president of the Shevchenko Memorial Committee of America. After the rendition of the American national anthem, the Most Rev. Ambrose Senyshyn, Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the United States, read the invocation in both English and Ukrainian. Prof. Roman Smal-Stocki, President of the Shevchenko Memorial Committee of America, delivered a brief and cogent address in Ukrainian and English stressing the importance of the Shevchenko monument in Washington.

General Eisenhower was flown by helicopter from Gettysburg to officiate at the unveiling. He was ushered through the crowds escorted by FBI agents. Standing beneath an umbrella put up to protect him from the scorching sun, the former President delivered his 12-minute address with a poise that befits a great military and civic leader, and statesman. He was interrupted on several occasions by the crowds who expressed their full agreement with what the speaker had to say.

Despite a prolonged program and unbearable heat, General Eisenhower stayed to the end of the unveiling ceremony. The former President said he hoped the erection of the Shevchenko monument in the nation's capital would help to "rekindle a new world movement in the hearts, minds, words and actions of men; a never-ending movement dedicated to the independence and freedom of peoples of all captive nations of the entire world ..."

"We can be sure," General Eisenhower stated, "that this nation will, with its valued allies, sustain the strength - spiritual, economic and military - to foil any ill-advised attempt by dictators to seize any area where the love of freedom lives and blazes ..."

General Eisenhower concluded that Shevchenko symbolizes the spirit of national independence not only of Ukraine, but of all other captive nations of the world.

After the statue of Taras Shevchenko was unveiled by General Eisenhower, the "Testament" of Taras Shevchenko was sung by the entire throng, led by the Ukrainian Choral Societies of America.

Other speakers who addressed the memorable gathering were the Hon. Michael A. Feighan of Ohio, the Hon. Edward J. Derwinski of Illinois, the Hon. Thaddeus J. Dulski of New York and the Hon. Daniel J. Flood of Pennsylvania. The Most Rev. Ioan Theodorovych, Archbishop-Metropolitan of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A., gave the benediction. At the conclusion of the ceremony, "Shche Ne Vmerla Ukraina," the Ukrainian national anthem, was sung by the huge crowd of participants.

Among the distinguished guests on the platform before the Shevchenko monument were the Most Rev. Joseph M. Schmondiuk, Bishop of the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Stamford, Conn.; the Most Rev. Jaroslav Gabro, Bishop of the St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Chicago; the Most Rev. Mstyslav Skrypnyk, Archbishop and head of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A.; Jack Palance and Mike Mazurki, Hollywood actors of Ukrainian descent; Dr. Juan J. Mathe, First Secretary and Cultural Attache of the Argentine Embassy; Miss Michele Metrinko, "Miss USA" for 1964; Dr. Frederick Brown Harris, Chaplain of the U.S. Senate; and Mrs. Harris; and Dr. Stepan Wytwytsky, President of the Ukrainian National Republic-in-Exile.

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