Ukrainian veterans meet, plan services

The monthly membership meeting of North Port’s Roman G. Lazor Post No. 40 of Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Post Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, U.S. Army, retired, was held last Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center, known as “Oseredok” (the center, in Ukrainian) in North Port. Following the delivery of reports by Post Adjutant John Czerkas, Finance Officer Oleh Sawkiw and other officers, members discussed at length the plans for memorial ceremonies at the funeral services for recently departed Post 40 member John Homick.
Homick, 87, of Warm Mineral Springs, passed away Monday, May 2, 2016. Born in Trenton, PA, he married Ann Katchmar in 1952 and moved to Bridgeport, Conn., where he worked until retirement. John and Ann moved to Warm Mineral Springs in 1992. John was a Korean War veteran, serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps.
He was a member of the American Legion and of the Ukrainian American Veterans, originally in Connecticut and finally in North Port, where he served as finance officer of Post 40 for several years. In addition to his wife, Ann, to whom he was married for nearly 64 years, he is survived by two children and two grandchildren.
Funeral services began with the viewing and “Panakhyda” (requiem service) celebrated by the Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor of Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, where John worshiped, at Farley Funeral Home, North Port Chapel. Veterans were standing in formation during the service, rendering a hand salute during singing of “Khrystos Voskres” (Christ is Risen — an appropriate conclusion of service during the post-Easter season instead of “Veechnaya Pamyat” — eternal memory) and then approaching the casket and saluting the departed comrade individually.
Requiem Divine Liturgy (Mass) was celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, whereupon John was laid to rest, with military honors, at Sarasota National Cemetery.
May he rest in peace — “Veechnaya Pamyat!”
Post 40 members also discussed at last Friday’s meeting the participation in the traditional Memorial Day Program atVenice Memorial Gardens on Friday, May 27, “Panakhyda” for the repose of souls of all departed veterans Sunday, May 29, and North Port official Memorial Day observance on Monday, May 30.
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Ann-Marie Susla, president of North Port Branch No. 56 of Ukrainian NationalWomen’s League of America, commonly known as“Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian Ladies), regrets that she had to cancel this month’s membership meetings, first due to the Easter holidays and then due to the funeral of John Homick, husband of Ann Homick, a longtime active member of UNWLA.
The next monthly membership meeting will take place at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, at St. Mary’s Parish Center.

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On May 8, Ukraine observed the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation, which pays tribute to victims of the 1939-1945 WorldWar II. The Memorial Day, proclaimed by the U.N. General Assembly, was introduced last year. It coincides with May 8, 1945, the day of Nazi Germany’s surrender.
Ukraine also celebrated on May 9, the day of victory over Nazi forces inWWII.
The law says that it is the sacred duty of the state and Ukraine’s citizens to respect the victory over Nazism, and to respect all veterans, members of Ukraine’s liberation movement, and Nazism victims.
Like many European countries, Ukraine now uses a red poppy to commemorate theWWII victims.


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