COMMUNITY CHRONICLE: Rochester celebrates Ukraine's independence (11/12/06)

COMMUNITY CHRONICLE: Rochester celebrates Ukraine's independence

by Christine Hoshowsky

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - On August 24 a busload of Ukrainian Americans sang patriotic Ukrainian songs as they rode the short distance from the parking lot of St. Josephat Ukrainian Catholic Church in Irondequoit, N.Y. to City Hall in Rochester, N.Y., to celebrate Ukraine's independence. This was the first of two events to commemorate 15 years of Ukrainian independence sponsored by the United Ukrainian Organizations of Rochester.

Walter Zaharkiev, the coordinator of the program and the master of ceremonies, invited political leaders from the metropolitan area to participate in the celebration, whose theme was the enduring friendship between Ukrainians and Americans both here and in Ukraine.

Among the dignitaries present were: U.S. Rep. James Walsh; New York State Sen. Joseph Robach; Monroe County Legislators Stephanie Aldersley and Ted Obrien; and Irondequoit Town Supervisor Mary Ellen Heyman.

Rep. Walsh remembered how his father, the mayor of Syracuse during the Soviet era, stood with the representatives of the Captive Nations to pay respect to their sacrifice. He took special pride in announcing that the citizens of Syracuse, N.Y., recently erected a statue of Taras Shevchenko in the St. John Church neighborhood and invited all to visit. Congressman Walsh recognized the long road ahead for Ukraine as it defines its independence.

Monroe County Legislator Obrien told those gathered how proud he was to stand with Ukrainian Americans of Rochester at the candlelight vigil honoring the Orange Revolution, " ... on that cold day in December 2004."

A short musical interlude by Zoloty Struni, a local group of bandurists, followed.

Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy presented a proclamation honoring Ukraine's independence. In return, 4-year-old Bohdana Kolopelnik gifted the mayor with a bouquet of flowers as her older brother, Taras, looked on with pride. Mayor Duffy spoke of Ukrainians as hardworking, patriotic and courageous people who are great citizens and assets to Rochester and Monroe County.

The keynote speaker, U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, a good friend of the Ukrainian people and a founding co-chair of the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus, was unavoidably detained. Her keynote address was delivered by Patty Lark, her senior congressional aide.

Rep. Slaughter acknowledged the sacrifice of the Ukrainian people in the struggle for independence. She specifically referred to the man-made Famine of 1932-1933 during the epoch of Soviet oppression as a particularly devastating time for Ukrainians.

Rep. Slaughter also noted the efforts that the Congressional Ukrainian Caucus is exerting to secure a federal charter for Ukrainian American Veterans. She said that Ukrainian Americans have fought in all wars in the American Army since the American Revolution. This charter will make it possible to better serve the needs of Ukrainian American Veterans, she added.

The congresswoman then referred to the glory of the Orange Revolution of 2004 as a "clear repudiation of corruption and oppression which signaled a new age of promise for Ukraine." Nevertheless, she recognized the continuing struggle that Ukraine has in addressing its relationship with Russia. She characterized that struggle as Ukraine's choice either to move forward and join the European Union or to move backward under the influence of Russia.

The congresswoman reassured the audience that the U.S. stands ready to help Ukraine move forward toward democracy and transparency. As evidence of this she cited the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and the institution of permanent normal trade relations with Ukraine. She also pointed to $111 million in U.S. aid to Ukraine this year.

The presentation of colors at ceremonies that day and the next day was conducted by veterans Semen Kobasowsky, representing the Brotherhood of Ukrainian Veterans, who carried the Ukrainian flag, and Ihor Hoshowsky, representing John Onufryk Memorial Post 1590 of the American Legion, who carried the American flag. The American and Ukrainian national anthems were sung by Tanya Beghini at both ceremonies.

The second event celebrating Ukrainian independence was held on Sunday, August 27, at the Centennial Park on the grounds of Irondequoit Town Hall where Ukrainian immigrants and their descendants erected a monument to commemorate 100 years of Ukrainian settlement in Rochester.

The master of ceremonies at this event, which drew on the theme of the Ukrainian "narod" (people), was Olena Dilai.

The opening prayer was led by the Very Rev. Wasyl Kolopelnyk of the Ukrainan Catholic Church of the Epiphany, the Very Rev. Ihor Kryhovetsky of St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the Rev. John Jedrychowski of St. Josephat Ukrainian Catholic Church, and Father Andrij Dvolit.

Ms. Dilai then recognized Ms. Heyman, the supervisor of the town of Irondequoit, who greeted the assembled Ukrainians and expressed her best wishes.

Councilwoman Lydia Duez, is a prominant Ukrainian American politician in the Rochester area who played an important role in getting the monument honoring Ukrainian immigrants situated on the grounds of Irondequoit Town Hall, also was recognized.

Father Kolopelnyk spoke on the topic of Ukrainian Independence and Christianity. He recognized the importance of spirituality embedded in the character of the Ukrainian nation and thanked the Almighty for the gift of an independent Ukraine.

Ms. Dilai then eloquently recited a poem in Ukrainian, "A Prayer to the Ukrainian Language" by Kateryna Motrych. Two musical medleys were performed by the Yurchenko duo, and Petro Kushnir recited a Ukrainian poem of his own creation.

The final speech was by Bohdan Zaharshyshyn, who reflected on events in Ukraine today. He pointed out that there is much negativity in the contemporary press. It was his view that we do not know the whole story and, therefore, all is not what it seems. He concluded by saying that, "President [Viktor] Yushchenko has the interests of the whole Ukrainian nation at heart."

The chairman of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Rochester, Roman Kucil observed that the event was organized and performed wholly by the Fourth Wave of Ukrainian immigrants - the torch has been passed. He then thanked the participants for their commitment to the local community and for their genuine regard for Ukraine.

At the closing, the Ukrainian community stood up to sing "Bozhe Velykyi Yedynyi" and the prayer echoed throughout Centennial Park.

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