Virginia Ukrainians have two anniversaries to celebrate (10/01/06)

Virginia Ukrainians have two anniversaries to celebrate

by Tom Krop

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - On September 16, on a rainy and windy evening here, the Tidewater Ukrainian Cultural Association (TUCA) assembled an enthusiastic group of 50 members and guests to celebrate the 15th anniversary of independent Ukraine and the 10th anniversary of TUCA. The gala party was held at the Broad Bay Country Club in Virginia Beach.

TUCA was established 10 years ago to educate the Norfolk Virginia Beach/Hampton/Newport News/Richmond communities about 1,000 years of Ukrainian culture, history and traditions.

The master of ceremonies for the evening was past president Tom Krop of TUCA, and the official welcome was performed by Wolodymyr Melnitchouk, the current president of the organization.

The evening's program was centered on two special guest speakers. The first, Michael Sawkiw Jr., president of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, was introduced by Olena Boyko, the organization's first president and one of its founding members.

Mr. Sawkiw, who traveled from Washington, delivered a spirited account of his recent trips to Ukraine, his interactions with Ukrainian national deputies and President Viktor Yushchenko, and his vision of the role of the diaspora in helping to mold policy in Ukraine and America. His enthusiastic speaking style kept the members involved and discussion spilled over after the official program had ended.

The other featured speaker was Bill Horan, president of Operation Blessing International, a worldwide Christian charitable organization dedicated to alleviating suffering in the world caused by floods, earthquakes and other natural disasters, as well as civil wars. Of particular interest for all TUCA members is a new program established this past year in Kyiv that provides recent graduates of orphanages with training in basic computer use and in the English language so that they will have marketable work skills for the future instead of simply a tragic life on the streets.

A training center is now in full operation in Kyiv, Mr. Horan said, and another will follow this year in Berdiansk. TUCA and the assembled participants contributed a total of over $1,200 to the Berdiansk facility at the meeting. (Interested contributors can go to www.ob.org to participate in Operation Blessing International programs.)

The cultural highpoints of the evening were original poetry by TUCA member Oksana Makowiec (accompanied by the music of composer Wolodymyr Gartsman, who was also present), and tributes to the city of Kyiv and also astronaut Heide-Marie Stephanyschyn-Piper, the first Ukrainian American in space. TUCA member Elaine Hampton also displayed her modern icon representations of the Madonna and Child.

Special plaques were presented by TUCA Secretary Andy Grynewytsch to Mr. Sawkiw, Mr. Horan and Terry Meeuwsen (co-host of the TV show "The 700 Club") for their participation.

The meeting ended with rousing toasts and a positive sense that Ukraine and TUCA have important roles to play in the world and in the local community.

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