Ukrainian American Veterans announce design competition (12/25/05)

Ukrainian American Veterans announce design competition

by Mathew Koziak
and Protopresbyter Frank Estocin

SOMERSET, N.J. - The Ukrainian American Veterans Inc. (UAV) is soliciting proposals for the design of a national monument to be constructed to honor Ukrainian Americans who served in the United States Armed Forces.

The UAV is a patriotic, educational, civic and social organization founded in 1948. It is composed of honorably discharged veterans of the United States Armed Forces who are of Ukrainian heritage. The mission of the UAV is to unite American veterans of Ukrainian descent and to support the Constitution, government and laws of the United States.

Local posts, state departments, members-at-large and a national executive board make up the structure of this nationwide organization. The UAV National Ladies Auxiliary, composed of veterans' wives and other volunteers, helps with fund-raising and various support activities.

While the UAV is the sponsoring organization of this project, the memorial is being erected to not only honor both present and past members of the UAV, but to remember and recognize all veterans of Ukrainian descent who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America. Hundreds of thousands of these men and women fought to protect freedom and liberty. In honoring them, we will acknowledge their service, sacrifice and contributions to the United States of America.

The monument will be erected on the grounds of St. Andrew's Memorial Church and Cemetery at the Ukrainian Orthodox Archdiocesan Center in South Bound Brook, N.J. The site already contains many monuments of prominent Ukrainians.

It also presents a unique opportunity to blend two histories, Ukrainian and American, as it has historical significance dating back to the American Revolution. The property was owned by Hendrick Fisher, who represented New Jersey in the Continental Congress and was present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. He and members of his family are buried in a family plot on the grounds.

The specific location for the monument is a plot, 30 feet by 30 feet, on the right side in front of St. Andrew's Memorial Church. There will be a walkway leading to the monument and this may be extended to go around the base. Ground and aerial pictures are included in the proposal packet to indicate the footprint.

The following describes the design elements that are required:

The base of the design may not be over 30 feet by 30 feet.
The height may not be above 20 feet.
The design must take the peaceful religious location into consideration.
A cross must be incorporated into the design.
The design may not be militaristic in nature.

Members of the Ukrainian American community are encouraged to submit a proposal. Each proposal must include a clearly drawn and defined project design with an estimate of costs. A written description of the project must accompany the architectural drawing. The projected cost of the monument is $250,000.

The Ukrainian American Veterans National Monument Committee will make the final proposal selection. Applicants may be asked to appear before this committee to discuss their proposals. All proposals must be received by Memorial Day, May 29, 2006.

Requests for the proposal application package may be obtained by contacting: UAV National Monument Committee, P.O. Box 5058, Somerset, NJ 08875-5058, Att'n: Design Selection; e-mail, [email protected]. Please provide all identifying information including name, address, phone/fax number and e-mail address when requesting the packet.

Donations in support of this monument also may be sent to the above address.

For more information about the UAV, readers may visit the website at www.uavets.org.

Mathew Koziak, past national commander of the Ukrainian American Veterans, and Protopresbyter Frank Estocin of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. are co-chairs of the UAV National Monument Committee.

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