SOMERSET, N.J. – The 68th annual national convention of the Ukrainian American Veterans culminated with the solemn dedication ceremony of the UAV National Monument on October 3 at St. Andrew Memorial Church and Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J.
Designed by renowned Ukrainian Canadian artist John Jaciw, the monument honors all American veterans of Ukrainian heritage who have honorably served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including those currently serving in the ongoing global war on terrorism.
The UAV National Monument, which was dedicated on October 3.
Prior to the UAV convention, the organization’s National Executive Board met on October 1, giving officers an opportunity to go over the final details of the historic and unprecedented event that would follow and fine-tune any last minute issues related to the dedication and blessing of the UAV National Monument, which stands at a prominent location on hallowed ground donated to the UAV by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A.
The convention was held at the Holiday Inn Somerset on October 2-3. It was officially convened by UAV National Commander Ihor W. Hron at 9 a.m. on October 2. UAV Chaplain Marian Bojsiuk offered an opening prayer, and UAV National Adjutant Roman Rondiak conducted the official roll call.
UAV National Ladies Auxiliary members, under the leadership of their president, Oksana Koziak, were in charge of registering the delegates; they reported that 42 delegates and two UAV members-at-large were present. After verification of the quorum by UAV Judge Advocate Mathew Koziak, the 68th UAV National Convention officially proceeded according to the prepared agenda.
Quartermaster Stephen Kostecki, Scholarship Officer Nicholas Skirka, Finance Officer Jerry Kindrachuk and Anna Krawczuk, speaking for the UAV National Monument and the Registration Project, presented their activity and financial reports. Commander Hron read the report of Welfare Officer Myroslaw Pryjma, who was unable to attend.
After a review of all financial reports by the auditing committee members – George Mutlos, Roman Synychak and Roman Maksimowich – Mr. Mutlos reported their findings and all financial reports were duly accepted by the convention.
During the blessing of the UAV National Monument (from left) are: UAV National Commander Ihor W. Hron, New Jersey Veterans Affairs Deputy Commissioner Raymond L. Zawacki, and Metropolitans Stefan Soroka and Antony.
National Commander Hron, Vice-Commander William Szozda, Judge Advocate Koziak, Historian Edward A. Zetick, PR/Publication Officer Bernard W. Krawczuk, Webmaster Joe Nasevich, and National Adjutant Rondiak then presented activity reports.
Mr. Koziak, co-chair of the UAV National Monument Committee, presented his report, and Brig. Gen. Leonid Kondratiuk, immediate past national commander and master of ceremonies for the dedication ceremony and the banquet, gave last-minute instructions to those involved in the oversight and execution of related activities.
This was followed by reports of the UAV Department of State Commanders: Ihor B. Rudko of Connecticut, Peter Polnyj of New York, and the newly elected state commander of New Jersey, Michael Hrycak. Thirteen UAV Posts were represented by their post commanders or designated delegates, who presented their reports.
During discussions of convention resolutions, the consensus was that, even though new members are joining the UAV, there are not enough to replace those who have “faded away.” All members attending the convention agreed that the organization must continue recruiting and must welcome the younger veterans who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world, as well as those who are currently fighting in the Global War on Terrorism.
National monument dedication
The UAV National Monument dedication took place at 4 p.m. on October 3, under cloudy skies and with raindrops blessing the event. Brig. Gen. Kondratiuk welcomed all the guests and veterans who had arrived to witness this moving ceremony.
He eloquently presented a brief history of Ukrainians who had fought and died for the United States during the past two centuries. Brig. Gen. Kondratiuk underscored that early arrivals (prior to 1991) to the United States were identified as Russians and not Ukrainians, and that the UAV is striving to correct this misidentification through the UAV National Registry.
Metropolitan Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. and Archbishop-Metropolitan Stefan Soroka of the Ukrainian Catholic Church of the United States, with Bishop Daniel of the UOC-U.S.A. and other clergy, concelebrated the moleben. Seminarians of St. Sophia Ukrainian Orthodox Theological Seminary chanted the responses.
The presentation of colors was executed by the U.S. Air Force Color Guard from McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey and was followed by the national anthems of the United States and Ukraine, beautifully rendered by the Ukrainian American Youth Association choir of the Mykola Pavlushkov Branch of Chicago. Metropolitan Soroka gave the invocation, while Metropolitan Antony and Bishop Daniel offered additional remarks.
The first featured speaker was Raymond L. Zawacki, deputy commissioner of veterans affairs of New Jersey. Col. Mykhailo Kyrylenko, representative of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense at the Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations, attended as the official representative of Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Yurii Sergeyev.
Additional speakers included UAV National Commander Hron; UAV National Monument Committee Co-Chair Koziak, PNC.; UAV National Ladies Auxiliary President Koziak; National Executive Board member Zoriana Haftkowycz of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America; and a Representative of Hunterdon County, N.J., among others.
Messrs. Hron and Koziak and Mmes. Krawczuk and Koziak participated in the official unveiling of the monument. The blessing by Bishop Daniel followed. The choir sang “America the Beautiful,” and a solemn and sorrowful rendition of “Taps” was played. Metropolitan Antony gave the benediction.
Celebratory banquet
The banquet following the dedication was held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center of the UOC-U.S.A. UAV Post 17 of New Jersey handled all the details of the banquet.
As master of ceremonies, Brig. Gen. Kondratiuk greeted the more than 250 people attending and introduced the guests at the head table. The posting of colors followed. A prayer was offered by Metropolitan Antony, and the Ukrainian American Youth Association choir of Chicago, conducted by Wolodymyr Popowycz, sang the national anthems of the United States and Ukraine.
The choir’s repertoire, mostly in English, comprised familiar American patriotic and military music, concluding with “God Bless America.” It should be noted that all members of this choir were young volunteers who made a special trip from Chicago to participate in the dedication of the UAV National Monument.
The first speaker at the banquet was National Commander Hron, who presented a brief history of the UAV. He spoke of Ukrainians and Ukrainian Americans who became American heroes: World War II Medal of Honor recipients Nicholas Minue, John Dudko and Nicholas Oresko; Michael Strank, who participated in the famous flag-raising at Iwo Jima; Maj. Myron Diduryk of “We Were Soldiers Once and Young” fame, who was killed in action in Vietnam; and several others.
The highest-ranking Ukrainian American officer cited by the national commander was Gen. Samuel Jaskilka of the U.S. Marine Corps. Also cited was U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Nicholas Krawciw, who was wounded in Vietnam and later played a major role in reforming Ukraine’s armed forces.
Mr. Hron ended his speech by noting, “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.”
The national commander then presented the coveted Commanders Award for Distinguished Service to Metropolitan Antony for his “support, guidance and leadership as the honorary chair of the UAV National Monument Committee since 2004,” calling the metropolitan “a pivotal and invaluable force behind the success of this great undertaking.”
Mr. Hron then called upon UAV Post 32 Commander Peter Bencak to be recognized for recruiting the most new members. He also made an announcement that the 69th annual national convention will be held in 2016 in Chicago and will be hosted by UAV Post 32.
Anna Krawczuk
Metropolitan Antony (center) is honored at the UAV 68th Convention. He is flanked by Brig. Gen. Leonid Kindrachuk (left) and National Commander Ihor W. Hron.
Remarks by Metropolitan Antony, Metropolitan Soroka and Col. Kyrylenko followed. Next, the co-chairman of the UAV National Monument Committee, Mr. Koziak, a past national commander of the UAV, and Ms. Koziak, president of the UAV National Ladies Auxiliary, presented a $1,000 check for the UAV National Monument. Personal observations of a Ukrainian American soldier were given by Lt. Col. Hrycak (U.S. Army, ret.) and Bishop Daniel, former U.S. Army chaplain and member of the UAV.
The closing prayer was offered by Metropolitan Soroka, and closing remarks were given by Brig. Gen. Kondratiuk.
Afterwards, guests lingered to chat with friends and to dance to music by Slavko.
Bernard W. Krawczuk is national PR/publication officer and Anna Osinska Krawczuk is a past national commander of the Ukrainian American Veterans.