Ukrainian American Veterans meet Friday

   The North Port Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Commander Eugene “Gene” A. Tomashosky of North Port, will hold its monthly membership meeting Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”). Commander Gene scheduled the start of the meeting at 2 p.m. instead of the customary 3 p.m. due to the need for preparations for Veterans Day observances.

    One of the items on the agenda will be the election of post officers for 2014-2015, who will be formally installed by UAV National Commander Ihor W. Hron of Osprey, a Post 40 member, at a special Officers Installation/ Fundraiser Luncheon at noon Nov. 13 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port.

    All proceeds from the luncheon will go to the UAV National Monument Fund. The monument will be erected at a special plot at St. Andrew’s Memorial Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J. donated to the UAV by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. Formal dedication of that memorial, honoring all veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, will take place in the fall of 2015, in conjunction with the UAV 68th National Convention.

    Other planned Post 40 Veterans Day activities: A “panakhyda” (requiem service) for the repose of souls of all departed veterans will be celebrated following Sunday’s divine liturgy at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Church, and participation in the community Veterans Day observance at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Veterans Park, next to the North Port Library.
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    The Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, held its monthly membership meeting Oct. 29 at the Oseredok. The reading of last meeting’s minutes, the financial report and reports of other officers were followed by a lengthy discussion of this year’s Christmas dinner, scheduled for 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Oseredok.

    This year’s Christmas dinner committee is chaired by Anna “Nusia” Mariani of Port Charlotte, who had chaired last year’s very successful Christmas dinner. Knowing Nusia as we all do, she will do everything in her power to outdo her last year’s dinner. In addition to delicious food including homemade pastries, and other “traditional” events, the dinner will provide many pleasing activities and a good time for all.

    At the end of the meeting there was a very interesting presentation by Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.) of Osprey about his visit to Ukraine last summer.
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    The North Port Branch 56 of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies), headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, held its monthly membership meeting yesterday.

    The meeting’s agenda included the plans for fundraising for the national UNWLA project, “Aid for the Victims of the Ukrainian War of Dignity Program,” and the traditional fall picnic scheduled for Nov. 19 at Maxine Barrett Park, near Sharky’s on the Pier in Venice.

    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