The Ukrainian-American Civic Committee of Metropolitan Detroit sent off the first of three 40-foot shipping containers to the Ukraine Survival Campaign on July 13 to Kyiv. The organizers expected that only one container would be filled, but the generosity of donations from the Ukrainian and American communities filled three. The mayor of Warren, Mich., Mayor James Fouts, encouraged the entire city to join the effort and solicited donations on residents’ water bills to be sent to his office. The effort took off in communities throughout the United States and Canada. A total of 17 40-foot containers were scheduled to be filled and shipped to Ukraine as part of the Save Ukraine Now (founded in 2014), as the nationwide effort continued.
The UCCA commemorated the first anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17), which resulted in the deaths of all 298 on board on July 17, 2014. In a statement released by UCCA on July 15, the UCCA said that evidence pointed to the pro-Russian forces in the region as responsible, “terrorists” who were also hindering the investigation, and were accused of stealing personal items from the crime scene. The statement continued: “This horrific act of terrorism is a reminder of the serious threat to global peace and security posed by Russia-backed terrorists in eastern Ukraine… The illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the ongoing Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has led to the tragic downing of MH17, must be stopped before more lives are lost.”
The 150th anniversary of the birth of Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky (July 29) was commemorated with a statement from the UCCA on July 27. The statement noted: “Metropolitan Andrey lived his live as a sterling example for others of virtue, kindness and sacrifice. He served as an active pastor to his flock, used his personal wealth to help fund the numerous philanthropic programs, wrote prolifically and was a gifted preacher. …Most notably, Metropolitan Andrey led his people and his Church through two world wars.” Metropolitan Andrey was arrested by the Russian tsarist forces and he was placed under house arrest by the Nazis. During the second world war, he risked his own life by providing shelter for many Jews.
A major step toward the dedication of the Holodomor Memorial in Washington was made on August 4 with its installation at Massachusetts Avenue and North Capitol Street, one block from Union Station. The 6-foot-high-by-35-foot-long bronze casting of the art work titled “Field of Wheat” was created by architect/sculptor Larysa Kurylas. The monument was cast by the Laran Bronze Foundry in Chester, Pa. The installation was witnessed by approximately 50 people, including Ukraine’s Ambassador to the U.S. Valeriy Chaly, Ms. Kurylas and Mr. Sawkiw.
Ukrainian Americans, representatives of several waves of immigration from Ukraine and their progeny, filled New York’s Times Square with the blue and yellow colors of Ukraine’s national flag in a flashmob on August 23, singing Ukrainian songs and waving Ukrainian flags. Among the crowd was Ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev, in an unofficial capacity.
On September 19-20, the first monument to the “Nebesna Sotnia” (Heavenly Brigade) was dedicated and unveiled at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Bloomingdale, Ill. The parish also marked the 45th anniversary of its founding with a patriarchal divine liturgy celebrated by Patriarch Filaret. The double occasion was marked with a concert by the Canadian Bandurist Capella and a banquet at the Hilton Indian Lakes resort.
Designer Yevhen Prokopov described the monument: “The symbol of both the suffering and the hopes of the victims, a high polished stainless steel cross, is a mirror of sorts that will endlessly reflect the unity of heaven and earth, being and non-being. Like an endless river flowing into the diamond-like reflections, an overlay of an ancient Ukrainian pattern (mini-crosses) furthers the symbolism of transcendence. Blue is the color symbolizing the souls of the departed heroes and the dignity of future generations. The spiritual content filling the monument is faith in the power of the eternal soul, and the unbreakable unity of Ukrainian patriots. This monument calls to us… remember, be united and you will be undefeated.”
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation hosted its annual forum in Washington, this year titled “Ukraine’s Ongoing Battle for Freedom: The Risk of Western Failure in Political, Economic and Humanitarian Assistance” on September 25. Among the speakers were: President Petro Poroshenko via video message, Reps. Kaptur, Ed Royce (R-Calif.) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Ukraine’s Chief Rabbi Yaakov Dov Bleich via video, Metropolitan Archbishop Stefan Soroka via video, Mufti Sheikh Ahmed Tamim and Patriarch Filaret of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – Kyiv Patriarchate. Other officials of Ukraine included Ambassador Chaly, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak and Finance Minister Jaresko. Among the panelists were: Orest Deychakiwsky (U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe), Edward Chow (Center for Strategic and International Studies), Katrina Lantos-Swett (U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom), Dawn Calabia (Refugee International), as well as retired Gen. Wesley Clark. The event was co-sponsored by the House Ukraine Caucus and the Senate Ukraine Caucus, in cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine and Save Ukraine Now.
On October 17, the UNWLA marked its 90th anniversary with a banquet held at the Ukrainian National Home in New York City. UNWLA President Marianna Zajac recalled the 90 years of the organization’s success and looked ahead to its future. During the banquet, Ambassador Sergeyev was honored with the Princess Olha Award by the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations for his work in securing Ukraine’s temporary seat on the U.N. Security Council for 2016-2017. A donation of $50,000 by the Self Reliance New York Federal Credit Union was presented by President Bohdan Kurczak to mark the 90th anniversary of the UNWLA.