OUR COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE DAY (09/12/99)

OUR COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

Clifton-Passaic, N.J.

CLIFTON, N.J. - With three churches, a vibrant Ukrainian Center on Hope Avenue in Passaic and about 2,000 Ukrainians living in the Clifton-Passaic area, Ukrainian Independence Day is marked annually in this community, located about 15 miles outside of New York City. Over 100 people attended the ceremony this year at Clifton City Hall. Organized by Teo Marsch (second from left) and the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA), the blue-and-yellow Ukrainian flag flew over the city for a week. Various city officials attended the ceremony, including (pictured above at far left) Clifton Councilman and Passaic County Freeholder Peter Eagler, who is assisting Mr. Marsch.

- Tom Hawrylko

Chicago

CHICAGO - Penny Kendall, director of international relations and chief of protocol for Gov. George H. Ryan of Illinois, presented a letter honoring Ukrainian Independence Day to Borys Bazylewski, consul general of Ukraine in Chicago.

"... I am honored to extend my personal congratulations to the Ukrainian community as you gather to commemorate the Independence Day of Ukraine," wrote the governor.

"The Ukrainian community in Illinois may be proud of their many contributions that have been a part of the growth and development of Illinois' business and educational sectors. Indeed, your community's many diverse accomplishments are much appreciated. They have helped strengthen the vitality of Illinois," Gov. Ryan noted.

Spring Valley, N.Y.

SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. - Rockland, the second smallest county in the state of New York, has been celebrating Ukrainian Independence Day for more than 30 years. As a matter of fact, the first proclamation declaring January 22 as Ukrainian Independence Day in Rockland County was presented to the Ukrainian American community on the snowy evening of January 22, 1968.

The driving force behind these celebrations is Ukrainian American Veterans Post 19 of Spring Valley. Special recognition goes to Dr. Dmytro Bodnarczuk, Joseph Brega, Teddy Dusanenko and Dr. Vasyl Luchkiw, and a member of Rockland County Legislature, Theodore Dusanenko.

This year, on Sunday, August 22, after liturgy at the Ukrainian Catholic Church, celebrated by the Rev. Ivan Tykhovych, community members gathered at the County Government Office Complex in New City, N.Y. Although the weather was threatening (the ceremonies took place outdoors), one of the largest groups of Ukrainians and representatives of local, county, state and federal governments assembled for the celebration.

It was especially moving to see a large group of youngsters, members of the Vesna Ukrainian folk dance group, participating. For the first time a sizeable contingent of the newest immigrants from Ukraine was present.

The master of ceremonies. Dr. Luchkiw, past national commander of the Ukrainian American Veterans, called the assembly to order and the celebration began with the singing of the American and Ukrainian national anthems. Dr. Luchkiw, who returned from Ukraine in May, also delivered the main address in both Ukrainian and English. He stressed the positive aspects of Ukraine's eight-year period of independence.

Short congratulatory remarks were delivered by several dignitaries.

The next day, local newspapers informed their readers about the Rockland County celebrations of the eighth anniversary of Ukraine's independence.

Binghamton, N.Y.

by Maria K. Zobniw

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - The annual celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day took place on Tuesday, August 24, with a flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall. Mayor Richard Bucci hosted the ceremony and issued a proclamation in honor of Ukrainian independence.

Prior to the flag-raising, a short introductory program was held. The Rev. Ivan Mazuryk, pastor of Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, opened the program with a prayer of supplication and thanksgiving.

Mima Zobniw spoke on the significance of Ukrainian Independence Day, the continued need to publicly celebrate this date, and the priorities of the Ukrainian American community for the coming year in relation to their congressional representatives.

In his introduction to the Independence Day Proclamation, Mayor Bucci stressed the cultural diversity of this region and highlighted the contributions of the Ukrainian community to the growth of the Binghamton area.

He read the proclamation, which concluded by underlining that, "as we celebrate the eighth anniversary of Ukraine's independence, we celebrate victory over tyranny and oppression."

Following the reading of the proclamation, the Ukrainian flag was raised in the courtyard of the City Hall to the singing of the Ukrainian national anthem.

The flag-raising ceremony and interviews with participants aired on all three local television stations, and the following day the Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin published a photo-collage of the ceremony on the front page of its local news section.

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