Veterans honor Susla commemorate fallen comrades

Highlights of the Veterans Day luncheon held Friday at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club by Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans included a keynote address by post Finance Officer Col. Askold D. Mosijczuk, M.D. (USA Ret.), and the presentation of the “Post Commander Award” to Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, president of North Port Branch 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, known in Ukrainian as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies). The luncheon was attended by more than 100 post members, their spouses and guests, some arriving from Florida’s east coast and from Spring Hill area in the north. They enjoyed a delicious sitdown lunch and desserts, with background music provided by accordionist Vladimier Szpiczka of North Port.Post 40 Commander Eugene A. Tomashosky of North Port did a superb job as master of ceremonies, introducing many honored guests, including North Port City Commissioner Jim Blucher (named mayor on Tuesday) and speakers Col. Askold
D. Mosijczuk, senior representative of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to Central Command of the U.S. Armed Forces at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Col. Andriy Sydorov, UAV national commander, and Past Post 40 Commander Ihor W. Hron, as well as presenting awards.

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Last Sunday, Post 40 sponsored a “Panakhyda” (requiem service) for the repose of souls of all departed veterans at the conclusion of the regular Sunday divine liturgy (Mass) at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Severyn Kovalyshin, pastor, and the Rt. Rev. Mitrat Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, pastor-emeritus. The church choir, under the direction of Lubow Ingram, beautifully sang the responses and concluded the service by singing “God Bless America,” with the congregation joining in.
Post 40 took part, as it has done every year since its formation in 1999, in the community Veterans Day observance Monday at Veterans Park in North Port — the largest veterans group at the ceremony.

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The Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida will hold its monthly membership meeting Nov. 20 at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”), instead of the customary last Wednesday of the month, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. President Daria Tomashosky of North Port wishes to remind members that they should bring canned food items, as the club is collecting nonperishables for the local Salvation Army pantry. At the meeting, Halya Lisnyczyj, corresponding secretary and coordinator of the club’s “Help Homeless Students,” will provide additional information about the program.
President Tomashosky also reminds members that they should bring unwrapped children’s toys to the club’s Christmas party, which will take place at the Oseredok on Dec. 8. The toys will be donated to North Port’s “Toys for Tots” program.

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The traditional fall picnic of North Port Branch 56 of “Soyuz Ukrayinok,” headed by Ann-Marie Susla, will take place from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday at the Maxine Barrett Park, next to Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice. In addition to a delicious buffet,the program will include singing, games and other surprises, all for $8 per person.
Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed at atanask@aol.com.

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn