Ukrainian American Veterans Post 35 hosts UPA conference (09/04/05)

Ukrainian American Veterans Post 35 hosts UPA conference

by Bohdan Pyskir

CHICAGO - Ukrainian American Veterans Post 35 of Palatine, Ill., held a conference on the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) at the Selfreliance Ukrainian American Federal Credit Union on June 11.

Post 35 organized the UPA conference to raise funds in support of Dr. Orest Logusz's forthcoming book about the UPA.

Lt. Col. Roman Golash, Post 35 commander and conference chairman, put together an impressive and comprehensive speaker list comprising distinguished UPA veterans, historians and military experts.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Peter Potichnyj, an UPA veteran, the editor-in-chief of Litopys UPA (UPA Chronicle) and professor emeritus at McMaster University. Prof. Potichnyj gave an overview of the very important UPA-related NKVD microfilm archive housed in the Peter J. Potichnyj Collection on Insurgency and Counter-Insurgency in Ukraine at the University of Toronto.

Dr. Myron Kuropas, adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University discussed the global perspective of the UPA and its impact today.

Maria Pyskir presented an analysis of why the UPA fought against insurmountable odds and explained the struggle's legacy for future generations of Ukrainians.

Irena Kaminska, an UPA veteran, discussed her soon-to-be published memoirs.

During a break, Commander Golash presented special military coins to the youngest participants of the conference - members of the Ukrainian American Youth Association (SUM). The "Lieutenant Colonel Army Coins" were given to Paul Chyterbok, Stefko Trynoha, Michael Doolin of SUM Chicago and Mattey Osyka of SUM Palatine.

Post 35's judge advocate general, Commander (ret.) Chuck Dobra, contrasted the legalities and moralities of the UPA freedom movement with terrorist crimes being committed today.

Sgt. Maj. (ret.) Danylo Zahody, recently retired after 30 years with the Green Berets, gave an inspiring presentation suggesting that today's U.S. Army Special Forces use many military tactics initially perfected by UPA warriors 60 years ago. He also noted with great pride that many Ukrainian Americans served and continue to serve in the U.S. military's elite special force units.

The last speaker was Lt. Col. Orest Logusz. Dr. Logusz outlined his research plans and held a question and answer session to solicit comments and suggestions on his yet to be titled UPA history. Research on the much-anticipated book has already begun.

Post 35 expressed thanks to Selfreliance for sponsoring the event and to Bohdan Watral, Selfreliance president and CEO, for his kind remarks and words of encouragement during the conference.

UAV Post 35 named in honor of 1st Lt. Ivan Shandor is headquartered in Palatine but has members from all over the United Sates. Members present at the conference traveled from Washington state, Kansas, Milwaukee and various parts of Illinois.

Post 35 is accepting donations for the upcoming UPA book by Dr. Logusz. To donate readers may contact [email protected]. Conference program books are also available and may be obtained also by contacting Mr. Golash via e-mail.

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