Veterans observe Memorial Day

    Members of North Port’s Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, led by Post Vice Commander and National UAV Adjutant Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), took part in the traditional Venice Memorial Gardens 24th annual Memorial Day program on Friday, together with other local veterans’ organizations. In addition to the presence of the Post 40 Color Guard, Col. Rondiak was a participant of the Parade of Colors (flags of various units who took part in the Revolutionary War) by carrying Rhode Island’s Regiment flag.

    Post 40 Past Post Commander, UAV National Service Officer/Chaplain and local Marine Corps Detachment 948 Past Commandant Marian Bojsiuk of North Port led “The Pledge of Allegiance” and coordinated the entire ceremony. June Parker of Venice Memorial Gardens welcomed the participants and introduced the dignitaries.

    The traditional “Panakhyda” (requiem service) for fallen and otherwise departed veterans, sponsored by UAV Post 40, was celebrated Sunday at St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church at the conclusion of the regular Sunday divine liturgy. Celebrants were the Rev. Dr. Severyn Kovalyshin, pastor, and the Rt. Rev. Mitrate Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, pastor-emeritus. The church choir, under the direction of Mrs. Lubow Ingram, sang the responses, and after the conclusion of “Panakhyda,” sang “God Bless America,” with the congregation joining in.

    The Post 40 Color Guard (Col. Roman Rondiak, Dr. George Baranowskyj and Marian Bojsiuk) and the traditional candle-holders (Orestes Lazor and yours truly) led the members of Post 40, who occupied the center aisle of the church. All rendered a hand salute during the singing of “Khrystos Voskres” (“Christ is Risen”), which was sung in lieu of “Veechnaya Pamyat” (eternal memory) due to the post-Easter period, which will last until the Feast of Ascension of our Lord, which is tomorrow.

    The traditional North Port community observance of Memorial Day at Veterans Park on Monday saw, as in the previous years, one of the largest veteran contingents, Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40, led by Vice Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), present at the observance, with colors and presenting a wreath at the memorial. The wreath was presented by Marian Bojsiuk and yours truly.

    Officers and members of the post were pleased to hear Dennis Walsh, commander of American Legion Post 254, co-host (with the city of North Port) of this year’s observance, apologizing for the erroneous omission of UAV Post 40 from the official program.
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    Members of the North Port and Southwest Florida Ukrainian American community are relieved after learning the results of Sunday’s historical presidential election in Ukraine. Recognized by the U.S., European Union and all other democracies as a truly free and democratic election, the Ukrainians elected Petro Poroshenko to be their leader for the next five years.

    The disturbances in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, perpetrated by the wellarmed, non-Ukrainian mercenaries, including Chechens trained, armed by and trucked in from Russia, with the cooperation of several traitors and some misguided local citizens, will be one of the main problems President Poroshenko will face. It is time now for the U.S. government to honor the three treaties signed by President Obama’s predecessors guaranteeing the sovereignty and borders of Ukraine. Ukrainians need body armor and RPGs; they will provide the boots on the ground.

    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