In two separate ceremonies, Ukrainian Americans in the Lehigh Valley gathered at Allentown and Bethlehem city halls on August 24 for the raising of the Ukrainian flag and the reading of proclamations of Ukrainian Independence Day.
Jaroslaw Chorwat led the event at Allentown City Hall and provided the keynote address. Viktor Litkewycz, a member of the Ukrainian American Veterans of the Lehigh Valley, raised the Ukrainian flag, and Mayor Ray O’Connell presented the proclamation from the city of Allentown.
Ellen Kern extended a greeting from Pennsylvania State Sen. Pat Browne. The opening prayer was offered by Father Anthony Perkins of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Allentown, while Father John Seniw of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Northampton, Pa., delivered the closing prayer.
Mistress of ceremonies Oksana Kipa opened Bethlehem’s program, which began with the raising of the American and Ukrainian flags by Oleh Balaziuk and Mr. Litkewycz. This was followed by the opening prayer offered by Father Daniel Troyan of Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church in Easton, Pa.
Alex Karras, assistant to Mayor Robert J. Donchez, read the city’s proclamation and declared this as Ukrainian Independence Day in Bethlehem. State Rep. Steven Samuelson delivered a very warm greeting and spoke of Ukraine’s continuing struggle to remain a sovereign and democratic nation. Mr. Chorwat delivered the keynote address titled “The Trials and Tribulations of Ukrainian Independence.”
A delightful addition to the program was the performance by the St. Mary’s Dance Group led by Walter Milinichik. Father Troyan ended the program with a prayer for the Ukrainian nation. Bethlehem’s Branch 91 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America was the sponsor of the program.