Marking the fifth Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence (09/29/96)

Marking the fifth Anniversary of Ukrainian Independence

Maplewood residents gather at Town Hall

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. - Mayor Ellen Davenport signed and read a proclamation at Maplewood Town Hall on August 6. Approved by the entire Township Committee, the proclamation designated August 24 as Ukrainian Independence Day in honor of the fifth anniversary of modern Ukraine's independence.

Mayor Davenport cheerfully greeted the assembled Ukrainian Americans and stated that she wants to pay tribute to Americans of Ukrainian birth and heritage who have made important contributions to political, economic and cultural life in Maplewood.

After reading and signing the proclamation, Mayor Davenport presented the document to Andrew Keybida and ordered that the Ukrainian flag fly in front of Town Hall on August 24 alongside the American flag, to "pay tribute to the Ukrainian people for their courage in the struggle for freedom and independence of Ukraine."

Mr. Keybida, who is an advisor of the Ukrainian National Association, accepted the proclamation and stated: "The Ukrainian American community in Maplewood is very grateful for the proclamation issued. I extend my persons thanks to all who have supported Ukraine's cry for freedom in this Town Hall during these past 31 years. Your generous endorsement of Ukraine's independence helped to bring to fruition the joyous freedom that 52 million Ukrainians are enjoying today."

On August 23, members of Maplewood's Ukrainian American community met at Town Hall to commemorate the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

The Rev. Frank Szadiak, pastor of St. John Ukrainian Catholic Church in Newark, N.J., opened the ceremonies with a prayer and asked God's blessings for the people of Ukraine.

Vice-Mayor Gerry Ryan greeted over 100 community leaders and friends, many of them in Ukrainian folk attire, and stated that he is happy to sign and read the proclamation commemorating Ukrainian independence.

After accepting the proclamation from Mr. Ryan, Mr. Keybida reviewed Ukraine's conditions prior to the declaration of independence on August 24, 1991. He stated that Ukraine today confronts the twin tasks of buttressing its independence and forging a democratic state under the dire conditions of post-Soviet reality.

He said: "On February 21, President Bill Clinton welcomed Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma to the White House and reaffirmed the critical importance the United States attaches to an independent, democratic and prosperous Ukraine. President Kuchma reaffirmed his strong commitment to economic reform, highlighting low inflation and accelerated privatization as key conditions for renewed economic growth. President Clinton assured President Kuchma that the United States will continue to mobilize international support as Ukraine continues its bold advance toward a market democracy."

He continued: "Perhaps the most historic moment in the short life of independent Ukraine was the Parliament's adoption of the Constitution of Ukraine on June 28, which proved not only to the citizens of Ukraine but to the world that this nation of 52 million is slowly and steadily emerging as a major player alongside the member-states of the democratic European community. How justly proud we feel for this recent development."

The Rev. Szadiak detailed his recent trip to Ukraine and said he was happy to find great warmth and compassion in those Ukrainians he encountered. He visited a church under construction in Ternopil that is being funded in part by parishioners of St. John Church.

The Rev. Szadiak concluded the indoor ceremony with a solemn prayer for those gathered in Maplewood and for the people in Ukraine, and gave thanks to the Almighty for leading Ukraine to freedom.

The delegation proceeded outdoors to witness the flag-raising ceremony. During the solemn moment when Mr. Ryan hoisted the Ukrainian and American flags, the assembled sang both national anthems.

North Port commemorates date with ceremonies, services

NORTH PORT, Fla. - The Ukrainian community of Florida's "Golden Coast," i.e. North Port and vicinity, continues to maintain contacts with the centers of Ukrainian American life (Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia) and does not fall behind all other communities in observances of national holidays and of significant historical events. Every effort is being made to publicize the events among non-Ukrainian neighbors.

The observance of the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence was initiated earlier this year, but the full-fledged activities to plan the events started in June. A committee was formed under the leadership of Dr. Wolodymyr Korol. Membership consists of individuals belonging to various local organizations, including the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, sponsors of the Anniversary Committee, as well as the Ukrainian National Women's League of America and others.

The observances began on August 12, at the North Port City Council Chambers. In the presence of many representatives of the Ukrainian community as well as many non-Ukrainians, the chairperson of the City Commission of North Port, George D. Mullen, read a proclamation designating August 24, "Ukrainian Independence Commemoration Day."

He then presented the proclamation to Mychajlo Lysak, vice-chairman of the United Citizens' Committee, who accepted it on behalf of Dr. Korol, who was out of the area, and to Atanas Kobryn, past national commander of Ukrainian American Veterans and a member of the committee.

The local newspaper, North Port Sun Herald, ran a column by Mr. Kobryn on August 14, titled "A Long, Hard Struggle for Independence" and a photograph of a group of Ukrainians who attended the proclamation ceremony. A group of children, some of them recent arrivals from Ukraine, captured the hearts of both the Ukrainians and non-Ukrainians present at the ceremony. These children (plus several others) took part in an official observance of Ukraine's independence on August 24 at the "Oseredok," i.e. at St. Andrew's Religious and Cultural Center in North Port.

An ecumenical moleben preceded the observance, which featured a main address by Vasyl Palahniuk, and recitations by Nadia Wanshula and Halyna Korol.

In addition to the aforementioned children's choir under the direction of Lucy Harasymiv, there was a reading of the North Port City proclamation and of the Declaration of Independence of Ukraine issued by the Ukrainian Parliament on August 24, 1991.

On August 25 there were thanksgiving services in all Ukrainian churches and houses of worship in North Port and surrounding communities.

Not to be outdone, Wildwood crowd celebrates

WILDWOOD CREST, N.J. - Perhaps a trend was started last year by Ukrainian Americans vacationing in Wildwood. As the week of August 19 began, young Ukrainians started asking "are we celebrating?" Ukrainians celebrate in many ways while vacationing in Wildwood, but Thursday and Friday, August 22-23, all became involved in planning Saturday's Independence Day celebration.

This year is the fifth anniversary of Ukraine's independence. Not to be outdone by their home communities, vacationing Ukrainians celebrated this joyous occasion as best they could while wearing bathing suits.

Michael Koziupa (president of SUM-A Whippany, N.J.) and Bozena Polanskyj (president of Plast-Newark/Morris County, N.J.), with the help of Steve Tatarenko, organized the motel residents and marched toward the beach holding the Ukrainian flag. (Last year a blue-and-yellow umbrella was used.) Behind them were volleyball players and the horseshoe crowd, plus the assortment of mom and dads, grandparents and little children with American flags. On the beach Zenia Brozyna and Zenko Halkowycz organized the sun worshippers, swimmers and others to join the celebration.

It was a simple affair Mr. Halkowycz asked everyone present to honor Ukraine on its fifth anniversary. He then introduced Ms. Brozyna, who read the last stanza of Hanna Cherin's poem "Fifth Anniversary." All sang the Ukrainian national anthem and the other Ukrainian song that all of us know the words to - it was the loudest "Mnohaya Lita" Wildwood ever heard.

P.S.: Dear participants of the "Wildwood Ukrainian Week," next year our assembly will be at 1 p.m., on Sunday, August, 24, directly in front of the Pan Am Hotel. Look for a sea of blue-and-yellow flags.