October 3 was a historic day for all Ukrainian American veterans, and for all Ukrainian Americans. On that day, the Ukrainian American Veterans organization (UAV) succeeded in one of its major projects: dedicating a national monument that honors all American veterans of Ukrainian descent who have served and are serving honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. The unveiling and blessing of the memorial – attended by representatives of veterans’ groups, government representatives, and Ukrainian community organizations and institutions – was the high point of the 68th annual national convention of the UAV, which this year was held in New Jersey.
It was also the fulfillment of a decades-long dream and the concrete result of more than a decade of selfless work.
The Ukrainian American Veterans National Monument, as it is formally called, stands in a prominent spot on the grounds of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church and Cemetery, on a plot donated by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. Metropolitan Antony of the UOC-U.S.A. was honorary chair since 2004 of the UAV National Monument Committee. At the UAV convention, he was recognized for his “support, guidance and leadership” and for being “a pivotal and invaluable force behind the success of this great undertaking.”
It should be noted that another major project – one that is related to memorializing veterans of Ukrainian descent – is the UAV Registration Project, which aims to record and publish the names of men and women of Ukrainian descent who have served the U.S. military. The aim is to emphasize Ukrainian Americans’ contributions to U.S. military history. As one of the project’s leaders, Anna Krawczuk, advises, the information gathered will become part of a permanent collection of materials related to the UAV and the UAV National Monument to be housed at the UAV Information Epicenter at the Ukrainian Historical and Educational Center of New Jersey at the UOC-U.S.A. Metropolia Center.
In a release issued before the historic day, the UAV underscored that the newly erected monument honoring these brave men and women “is a symbol acknowledging their service, sacrifice and contribution to the country.” The simple inscription engraved on the monument, which bears the emblems of U.S. military service branches, reads: “Dedicated to all Ukrainian American men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.” How fitting that this tribute to our veterans was realized just before this year’s Veterans Day holiday.
The pride felt by the Ukrainian American Veterans and others gathered for the monument’s dedication on October 3 was palpable. And that pride was reflected in the speeches at the subsequent banquet. Ukrainian Americans can boast of soldiers who became true American heroes, including three World War II Medal of Honor recipients and those who paid the ultimate price, among them Ukrainian-born New Jerseyan Maj. Myron Diduryk, who was killed in action during his second tour in Vietnam.
UAV National Commander Ihor Hron aptly observed: “I say there is something in the soul of all Ukrainian Americans that yearns for freedom and is willing to die for it. It is this heritage that has been passed down from generation to generation of Ukrainian Americans.”