THE ELEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE

Rockland County, N.Y.

by Vasyl Luchkiw

NEW CITY, N.Y. - The Ukrainian community in Rockland County commemorated the 11th anniversary of independent Ukraine on Sunday, August 25. The event was preceded a holy liturgy for Ukraine and its people at Ss. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church in Spring Valley, N.Y. The Rev. Stepan Bilyk, pastor of our parish, also celebrated panakhyda for all those who gave their lives in fighting for independent Ukraine.

After the liturgy the Ukrainian community, under the leadership of Ukrainian American Veterans Post 19, gathered on the grounds of Rockland County legislative offices for a flag-raising ceremony. Michael Wengrenovich, a long-standing cantor at the local parish, led the community in singing the American and Ukrainian national anthems. Wasyl Szozda, a Vietnam veteran, who is commander of the UAV Post 19, raised the Ukrainian national flag.

Theodore Dusanenko, chartered member of the Rockland County Legislature, introduced Yosyp Terelia, a well-known former Ukrainian dissident, who, at the age of 19, raised his voice in defense of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Catholic Church. For this he spent some 23 years in the Soviet gulag and was eventually deported to Canada. Mr. Terelia stated that hard work and faith, faith in God, faith in our Church, faith in Ukraine and, yes, faith in ourselves will help to lead Ukraine out of its current crises.

Dr. Vasyl Luchkiw, chairman of the event's organizing committee, delivered the keynote address in both the English and Ukrainian languages. He underscored primarily the positive achievements of Ukraine in the past 11 years. "But this does not mean that we should neglect Ukraine's major shortcomings," said the speaker. He concluded with the popular belief that Ukraine's future is almost entirely in Ukraine's own hands.

At the end, Mr. Dusanenko thanked everyone for participating and especially thanked Mr. Terelia for attending and Dr. Luchkiw for his work on behalf of the Ukrainian community at large and in Rockland County in particular.

On the eve of the celebration, the county newspaper published a very good informative article on the preparations to commemorate Ukraine's Independence Day.

Then, on Monday morning, August 26, a front page story headlined "Ukrainians mark their 'Fourth of July' " greeted early risers. The article was factual and well-written, was accompanied by color photos of the celebration and included interviews with Dr. Luchkiw, Mr. Terelia and Petro Duda.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, September 22, 2002, No. 38, Vol. LXX

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