LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (09/12/04)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Participation earns respect

Dear Editor:

Thank you for devoting four pages of the August 15 Weekly to Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV). They deserve our admiration, gratitude and respect for defending our country in several wars and at present for their concern and activism. In addition, the articles were well-written and informative.

In their articles Mathew Koziak and Paul Hlynsky bemoan the lack of interest and responsiveness from members of the U.S. Congress, especially in the case of the stalemated H.R. 1615 - the bill proposing a federal charter for the UAV. This bill has been repeatedly introduced for many years in several past congresses without getting adequate support from members of the U.S. Congress.

We can ask ourselves a rhetorical question: why do our legislators, whom we elected to represent us, show such a lack of interest and regard for us? Some of the reasons that come to my mind could be: our community's lack of participation in election campaigns, lack of contributions to political candidates seeking elected offices, not bothering to register for voting, non-participation in elections by not voting, not contacting our elected officials via letters, phone calls, e-mail, etc. on issues of concern to us.

As the saying goes: "You shall reap what you sow." In political activism parlance, we have not been sowing; therefore, we cannot expect to reap. We are looking forward to the November presidential election and elections of representatives to Congress. The time is at hand to register for voting, to write letters asking candidates their stands on issues and to voice our opinions to them. When the November election comes along we should go to the polls and vote for the men or women of our choice; it is our duty and privilege to do so. In the end, we will have no one to blame but ourselves.

Bozhena Olshaniwsky
Newark, N.J.

The letter-writer is in charge of public relations for the League of Ukrainian Voters (LUV).

More Ukrainians on U.S. stamps

Dear Editor:

Thank you for publishing the letter of Daria Markus in your August 15 issue in which she cites evidence of Ihor Sikorsky - the "Father of the Helicopter" - identifying himself as being of "purely Ukrainian origin." It is good that this confirmatory letter exists, but there were many instances during his life where Mr. Sikorsky mentioned his Ukrainian roots. Nonetheless, he also would state that he came from Russia during the first world war, since Ukraine was then (prior to World War I) part of the Russian Empire. Many misinterpreted this attribution as his claiming to be Russian.

Mr. Sikorsky's rather ambivalent attitude regarding his ethnicity is apparently reflected in his descendants. I have been told that one son considers himself to be Ukrainian, while another claims he is Russian. So, go figure.

Dr. Markus is not quite correct when she states that, "He [Sikorsky] and sportsman Bronko Nagurski are the only Ukrainians thus far honored by United States postal stamps." Below is a listing of all Ukrainians or Ukrainian Americans on U.S. stamps:

1. Iwo Jima showing Sgt. Michael Strank, one of the flag raisers; parents were Ukrainian - issued in 1945.

2. Iwo Jima stamp issued in 1995.

3. Ihor Sikorsky, aircraft designer - 1988.

4. Louise Nevelson, sculptor born in Kyiv - 2000.

5. Andy Warhol, artist (Ukrainian parents) - 2003.

6. Bronko Nagurski - athlete (Ukrainian parents) - 2003.

7. In addition, there is a stamp from 1974 that honored the Mennonites from Ukraine who introduced hard winter wheat from the Ukrainian steppes to the American prairie.

There are a few other U.S. stamps that honor Polish figures who were born in Ukraine:

1. Casimir Pulaski, born in Podillia - 1931 stamp.

2. Ignacy Jan Paderewski, born in Kurylivka, now Vinnytsia Oblast - 1960, 4-cent stamp.

3. Ignacy Jan Paderewski - 1960, 8-cent stamp.

Finally, there is a stamp from 1980 honoring composer Igor Stravinsky. His mother was apparently Ukrainian.

Dr. Marcus concludes her letter stating that it would be appropriate for Ukraine to rename Boryspil Airport after Sikorsky and that, "It's about time that Ukraine starts reclaiming its native sons and daughters." While I certainly agree with the renaming, I would like to point out that, philatelically at least, Sikorsky was honored on a Ukrainian stamp - way back in 1998.

Ingert Kuzych
Springfield, Va.

Tribute organizers deserve thanks

Dear Editor:

I would like to thank the originators and organizers of the luncheon to honor Roma Pryma-Bohachevsky at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on September 12, where a Lifetime Achievement Award was to be presented, posthumously, as a tribute to Pani Roma who had spent 40 years as a teacher, choreographer and mentor. Her work has promoted our Ukrainian culture far and wide. It is immeasurable. What a fitting tribute in an elegant setting to an elegant, accomplished woman.

Pani Roma helped us raise our children. Attending her schools of dance and her camps became the focus of the lives of hundreds of families. We formed our lifestyles around those classes and camps. The experiences our children have had with Pani Roma have helped develop their characters.

They will remember those experiences for a lifetime. Countless children, whether confident or timid, learned to move their bodies in a graceful manner and to have the courage to set foot on stage before hundreds of people. At the same time that they were learning to dance, the students were learning the Ukrainian language, customs and music. This will be everlasting.

We are so fortunate to now have this opportunity to come together and enjoy a meal as one big family honoring an extraordinary, talented woman and celebrating the legacy she has left for us. She would be so proud.

Anastasia Tretiak
Glen Rock, N.J.

| Home Page |