Ukrainian American Veterans make plans

The only Ukrainian American Veterans post in Florida, Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 in North Port, has members not only from several surrounding communities but also from more distant places like the St. Petersburg area, Hallandale Beach, Fla., Valrico, Fla., and others.
Two members are on active duty, one in U.S. Army, and the other on the U.S. Navy, both holding officers’ ranks.
We are grateful for and proud of their service.
Our post is proud to be the home post of the current National Commander Ihor W. Hron of Osprey, one Past National Commander (yours truly), and two National Officers: National Adjutant Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), of Osprey, who is also the current Post Commander, and National Chaplain/ Service Officer Marian Bojsiuk, of Venice, Past Post Commander and Past Commandant of the local Marine Corps League, Detachment 948.
The Post’s membership roster lists 45 names and addresses. Membership is open to all U.S. Armed Forces war and peacetime veterans, male and female, of Ukrainian descent and non-Ukrainians married to a Ukrainian American.
The Post 40 was chosen to honor the 40th anniversary of the City of North Port, because it was formed in April, 1999, North Port’s 40th anniversary year. From the beginning the post is participating in almost all civic and veterans events, including Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances, Venice Memorial Garden’s Memorial Day Programs and various events of the local Ukrainian American community, such as Ukraine’s Independence days.
This month’s membership meeting was held Friday, April 1, at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known to Ukrainians as “Oseredok” (center, in Ukrainian) and was chaired by Past Post Commander and current National Commander Hron.
Following reports by Post Adjutant John Czerkas, Finance Officer Oleh Sawkiw and other officers, members discussed plans for the next meeting, at 1 p.m. May 6 at the Oseredok, instead of the traditional 3 p.m. Also up for discussion will be the post’s participation in Venice Memorial Gardens Memorial Day Program Friday, May 27, and North Port’s Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Park on Monday, May 30, in addition to other events, either to be sponsored by Post 40, or where Post’s participation will be essential.
Much time was spent discussing the program of June membership meeting, the last one before the summer vacation, which will be held either June 3 or 10, with the final decision to be made at the May 6 meeting.

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The traditional Scholarship Awards Luncheon of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, was held Tuesday at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port. More information about the luncheon will appear in next week’s column.
Due to this week’s luncheon, there will be no membership meeting this month. Next meeting will be held at 6 p.m., Wed., May 25 at the Oseredok.

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The Fundraising Committee of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port is reporting that its fundraising goal is pretty close to being reached.
Additional contribution will be accepted with thanks and gratitude.


Atanas Kobryn covers the Ukrainian community for the North Port Sun. He can be emailed atatanask@aol.com.


Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn