Veterans meeting, other upcoming events

The first post-vacation monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by retired Co. Roman Rondiak, USA, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok.”) The change of the meeting from the traditional first Friday of the month was made in consideration of Labor Day weekend observances.

The agenda of the meeting will include, in addition to the customary reports of officers, the post’s participation in the UAV 68th National Convention that will take place Oct. 2-4, in Somerset, N.J., and the dedication of the UAV National Monument honoring Ukrainian and Ukrainian American veterans of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces serving since the Revolutionary War for Independence of the United States. The monument, located at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J., will be officially blessed and dedicated at 4 p.m., Oct. 3.

In addition to Post 40 members who are national officers, National Commander Ihor W. Hron, Post Commander and National Adjutant Col. Roman Rondiak, National Chaplain/ Service Officer Marian Bojsiuk, and yours truly (past national commander), Post 40 is entitled to four additional delegates, who will be elected at the Sept. 11 meeting.
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Last week’s meeting of the Parish Council of Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, chaired by the Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor, and attended by members of the parish, discussed, among other important issues, the operation of the parish kitchen, known as “Nasha Kuklnya” (our kitchen) and serving of the very popular traditional Ukrainian American dinners on Fridays.

It was decided to start serving dinners between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Sept 18. The Rev. Petriv, being new to the parish, announced that he and his wife Luba will actively participate in the preparation of dinners, specifically in making the traditional Ukrainian “varenyky” (pierogies) to familiarize themselves with the volunteers and the kitchen operation.

This exposure will enable him to see if any administrative and/or operational changes in the kitchen and serving staffs will be in order.
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This Sunday, at sundown, the Jewish new year 5776, Rosh Hashanah, will begin. My wife Katrusia and I are very happy to convey our sincere new year’s greetings and best wishes to all our Jewish neighbors and friends here and in the greater New York City area.
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Sept. 13 is also Grandparents Day, which, unfortunately, does not receive the publicity nor commercial exposure it actually deserves, especially in our area where many grandparents and great-grandparents reside.

Katrusia and I, both grandparents and great-grandparents, usually receive greetings and well-wishes on Mother’s and Father’s days from our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A few days ago we were pleased to receive a beautiful “Happy Grandparents” card signed by some of our grandchildren and both of our great-granddaughters.

Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun.

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn