UNA CELEBRATES 125 YEARS: A snapshot from history, 1954

As noted in the Monthly Report of the UNA Supreme Secretary for August 1954,  a new branch, No. 153, was organized in Philadelphia. Seen above is a photo taken when the branch was christened sometime thereafter; it was named in honor of longtime Svoboda Editor-in-Chief Luke Myshuha (1887-1955). The branch’s founder was John Odezynsky (1924-1984), who was also elected as its first branch secretary and later served as the branch’s president for many years. Mr. Odezynsky (seated fifth from left) was one of the UNA’s top organizers, the founder of two other UNA branches (216 and 32) and a supreme advisor. Also seen in the photo are UNA Supreme President Dmytro Halychyn (seated fourth from left), Supreme Vice-President Michael Piznak (standing second from left), Supreme Secretary Jaroslaw Padoch (standing, sixth from left), Supreme Treasurer Roman Slobodian (seated first from left) and Svoboda Editor Anthony Dragan (standing first from left) as well as representatives of the Philadelphia District Committee and Branch 153. The banner atop the UNA emblem reads: “UNA – Ukrainian Fortress Beyond the Sea.”