Celebration in Union, N.J., features grand display of flags (09/24/06)

THE 15th ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Celebration in Union, N.J., features grand display of flags

by Michael Koziupa

UNION, N.J. - The Township of Union, N.J., has one of the grandest displays in the country celebrating Ukrainian independence.

The township allows the Union Committee Celebrating Ukrainian Independence, which functions under the auspices of the Union/Essex counties branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, to place flags up and down the two main cross streets in downtown Union for the week of Ukrainian independence celebrations. In addition, a giant banner that is hung over the main street reads "Ukrainian Americans celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day."

On the Sunday before August 24, at noon, the Town Hall's assembly hall was filled with members of the local Ukrainian American community who came to take part in the flag-raising ceremony. The program consisted of the presentation of the national and organizational flags. This was followed by an invocation. The deputy mayor of Union, Brenda C. Restivo, read the township proclamation and presented it to Michael Koziupa, committee chairman, and Paul Batkiw, the committee's liaison to the town.

Lt. Gen. Vitali Kuksenko, attaché and military advisor at Ukraine's Permanent Mission to the United Nations, delivered greetings. The main Ukrainian speaker was Osip Roshka, editor of the Catholic Weekly newspaper America. The main English speaker was Mr. Koziupa, national president of the Organization for the Defense of Four Freedoms for Ukraine.

The Ukrainian flag was then carried outside to the main flagpole before the Town Hall with all the guests gathering around. Joining this part of the ceremony were Mayor Peter A. Capodice and Committeeman Anthony Terrezza. All present sang the Ukrainian national anthem. The flag would fly for the following week.

Finally, everyone gathered on the front steps of Town Hall to take a group picture.

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