Clubs’ post-vacation schedules in place

    The three most active North Port Ukrainian American clubs’ meetings are back on the regular (post-vacation) schedule — the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, Branch 56, will be meeting at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of the month, Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans will be meeting at 3 p.m. on the first Friday of the month, and the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida will be meeting at 6 p.m. on the last Wednesday of the month.

    Tonight’s meeting of the Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port will take place at 6 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”). The agenda of the meeting, the outline of which was approved by the club’s executive board at its meeting last Oct. 22, will include, in addition to the customary reports of officers and committee chairs, a discussion of this year’s Christmas dinner, caroling and other projects.

    This year’s Christmas dinner will be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Oseredok. The dinner, chaired by Anna (Nusia) Mariani of Port Charlotte, is working diligently to make this year’s affair even better than last year’s, including some pleasant surprises. Details — except the surprise part will be communicated at tonight’s meeting.

    At the end of the meeting, but prior to the traditional coffee and pastries social, our member Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (retired) of Osprey will share his experiences during his visit to Ukraine last summer. Considering Col. Rondiak’s extensive experience in the military, his talk will undoubtedly include much information about Ukraine’s war with the terrorists in Eastern Ukraine who are supported by arms, supplies and manpower from Putin’s Russian Federation.

    Members are being asked to bring to the meeting nonperishable food items, preferably cans, which the club will donate, as in the previous years, to the Salvation Army in North Port.
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    It can now be made official that the website of the Ukrainian American Club can be accessed by visiting ukrainianamericanclub.com. The site contains interesting material that will be added and edited regularly.
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    The North Port Branch 56 of the UNWLA, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies), headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, will meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Ukrainian Catholic Parish Hall, 1078

N. Biscayne Drive (corner of West Price Boulevard), North Port.

    The meeting agenda will include the continuation of discussion and fundraising planning for the National UNWLA War Victims Fund’s “Aid for the Victims of the Ukrainian War of Dignity Program.”
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    The monthly membership meeting of Post 40 of the UAV, headed by Commander Eugene “Gene” Tomashosky of North Port, will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Oseredok. The main item on the agenda will be the election of post officers for 2014-2015.

    The elected officers will be formally installed at the installation/fundraiser luncheon at noon Nov. 13 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club.

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

Our Neighbors — The Ukranians

by Atanas Kobryn

Community concerned about Ukraine

    North Port and Southwest Florida Ukrainian American organizations, like other Ukrainian American and Ukrainian Canadian organizations in North America, are following very closely the developments in Ukraine. There are many initiatives to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of the military aggression of the neo-fascist Russian government headed by President Vladimir Putin. The victims are not only several thousands of wounded soldiers in need of medical supplies, but also thousands of widows and orphans of soldiers who died while defending their country, or who were captured and murdered by Russian soldiers and their hirelings. An additional burden to the cash-poor Ukrainian government, whose treasury was plundered by former president Viktor Yanukovych and his crew, are hundreds of thousands of refugees from occupied Crimea and the eastern regions of Ukraine.

    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, is raising funds in tandem with the UNWLA National Headquarters’ UNWLA War Victims Fund. Checks should be made payable to “UNWLA War Victims Fund” and mailed to UNWLA, 203 2nd Ave., New York, NY 10003-5706.

    It has been reported by world media that while Russia is providing most modern arms, in addition to trained Russian military units, for the terrorist activities in Eastern Ukraine (which president Putin continues to deny), the military units of the Ukrainian Army, National Guard and volunteer battalions rely on their patriotism more than their weapons. When Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke to a joint session of U.S. Congress last month, he thanked the United States for its assistance in confronting the Russian aggression, but he also had asked for more. His phrase “Blankets and night- vison goggles are important, but one cannot win a war with blankets,” preceded his plea for assistance in defensive lethal arms, which the U.S. government is reluctant to provide.

    Fortunately, the need for defensive lethal arms for Ukraine is beginning to move many leaders of the U.S. Congress to action, as evidenced by the introduction of several bills: H.R. 5190 by Jim Gerlach and 10 other members of Congress (“Ukraine Security Assistance Act of 2014”), H.R. 5241 by Gerry Connolly with Steve Chabot (“Crimea Annexation Nonrecognition Act”), and S. 2828 by Bob Menendez with Bob Corker, Ben Cardin and Ed Markey (“Ukraine Freedom Support Act of 2014”). A Washington Post article of Oct. 20 by Senators Carl Levin (D) and James Inhofe (R) stated: “We believe now is the time to add defensive military aid, including weapons, to our support of Ukraine.”

    While Russian officials, including President Putin, continue to deny the presence of Russian military personnel in Ukraine, the Russian human rights activist Yelena Vasilieva reported in her published summary table of the Russian Army losses in Ukraine that up to 4,360 Russian servicemen were killed.

    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

Ukrainian American Veterans update

     Last week’s monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Commander Eugene A. Tomashosky of North Port, was attended by the largest number of members in recent time.

    After the traditional opening ceremony (salute to the flag, Pledge of Allegiance, moment of silence for departed comrades and official opening of the meeting by the commander), the minutes of the last meeting were read by Commander Gene. The finance officer, who is also the post’s vice commander, Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.), presented a detailed report of post’s finances, including funds received thus far for the upcoming Officers Installation/ Fundraiser luncheon.

    Post Quartermaster Dr. George Baranowskyj’s report was augmented by the distribution of caps and T-shirts to the newest members. Chaplain/ service officer Marian Bojsiuk informed members of the new type of Veterans Administration benefits card and also of some of the changes in the VA system. Public relations officer, yours truly, reported on the publicity in the North Port Sun. Commander Tomashosky congratulated yours truly on the article about Post 40 published in the recent issue of The UAV Tribune.

    UAV National Commander and Post 40 Past Commander Ihor W. Hron presented a comprehensive report on the 67th UAV National Convention, held Oct. 3-5 in Independence, Ohio. He spoke very highly of the superb job done by host Ukrainian Vietnam Veterans of Cleveland Ohio, Post 24 headed by Commander Bohdan Samokyszyn and the 67th National Convention Committee headed by PNC Roman Rakowsky. NC Hron provided some details of the convention’s deliberations: The National Executive Board, including the national commander, was re-elected in its entirety for the next year, the new UAV webmaster (a volunteer) was approved, and next year’s 68th National Convention will be co-hosted by the UAV New Jersey posts, with UAV Post 17 of Passaic, N.J., headed by James Fedorko, assuming the responsibility for the convention journal. NC Hron, who chaired the 67th convention’s resolution committee, reported on the resolution passed by the convention, which included, among other important issues, a request for President Obama to provide lethal assistance to the Armed Forces and Volunteer Battalions of Ukraine now fighting against Putin’s Russian aggression.

    Post Vice Commander and UAV National Adjutant Rondiak spoke briefly about his activities at the convention, including meeting with Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur’s staff. He then proceeded to provide additional information about the status of ticket sales and other details of the traditional Officers Installation/Fundraiser luncheon at noon Nov. 13 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port. He emphasized that there are very few tickets remaining to be sold, and no tickets will be sold at the door.

    Yours truly, as chair of the post’s Nominating Committee, presented the list of post officers to be formally elected at the next membership meeting on Nov. 7. They will be installed at the Nov. 13 luncheon.

    Before adjourning the meeting, Commander Tomashosky reminded members of the traditional Panakhyda (requiem service) for departed veterans on Nov. 9 at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Church, and the Community Veterans Day observance at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Veterans Park, next to the North Port Library.

    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

Social activity schedule resumes

   The monthly membership meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Commander Eugene A. Tomashosky of North Port, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”) in North Port. Commander Tomashosky is asking all members to attend this very important and informative meeting.

    The agenda of the meeting will include, in addition to the traditional ceremonies and reports, several reports of UAV national officers and delegates to the 67th UAV National Convention held last weekend in Ohio, report of the post’s nominating committee in anticipation of the election of 2014-15 officers at the November monthly meeting, and finalization of plans for the officers installation/ fundraiser luncheon to be held at noon Nov. 13 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club, 3401 S. Sumter Blvd.

    Tickets for this very popular affair, including the officers installation ceremony and other activities, with music by “VLAD” and a delicious buffet lunch, are available for $25 per person (checks payable to “UAV 40”), and must be purchased by no later than Nov. 7 from Post 40 members, including yours truly.

    All proceeds will go to the UAV National Monument Fund. The UAV National Memorial, honoring all members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and located on a plot donated for this purpose by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Cemetery in South Bound Brook, N.J., is scheduled to be completed and formally dedicated during the UAV 68th National Convention in the fall of 2015.
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    North Port Branch 56 of Ukrainian National Women’s League of America, known as “Soyuz Ukrayinok” (union of Ukrainian ladies), and headed by Ann-Marie Susla of Englewood, held its second post-vacation membership meeting yesterday at the Oseredok.

    It was a very lively and interesting meeting, with members who visited Ukraine last summer relaying their experiences and impressions, and UNWLA National Welfare Chair Lidia Bilous of Osprey providing information about the latest UNWLA project, “Helping Victims of the Ukrainian War of Dignity” of the UNWLA War Victims Fund. This fundraising is to pay for the shipment of very expensive medical equipment donated by Boston, Mass., hospitals for hospitals in Ukraine, and to provide assistance to the victims of the Russian-inspired and assisted war activity in the southeastern part of Ukraine.

    The official publication about this action stresses the fact that UNWLA, a 501(c)(3) organization, since its establishment by the Ukrainian American patriotic and longsighted ladies in 1925, was the leading organization in the area of providing humanitarian assistance to Ukrainians all over the world who found themselves in need of financial or moral assistance. Ms. Bilous provided facts and figures about the sums expended over the years up until very recently.
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    The 2012 London Olympics heavyweight champion and 2011 world champion Oleksander Usyk (5-0, five KOs) of Ukraine acquired a vacant WBO I/C interim title by defeating South African cruiserweight champion Daniel “Billy the Kid” Bruwer (24-6-1, 21 KOs) in seven one-sided rounds in Lviv, Ukraine.

    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

 

Meetings, plans and other upcoming events

    The first post-vacation membership meeting of Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, was held Sept. 24 at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as “the Oseredok”) in North Port. After calling the meeting to order, President Daria asked members to observe a moment of silence for recently deceased members of the club, and also for the fallen and murdered heroes of anti-terrorist action against terrorists and Russian military invaders in Ukraine.

    After the reading and approval of reports (last meeting’s minutes by Halya Lisnyczyj, treasury by Nancy Wosny, correspondence secretary and pantry/ homeless projects by Halya Lisnyczyj), the club’s Scholarship Committee chairman, professor Victor Lisnyczyj, discussed the last scholarship awards luncheon and plans for next year’s luncheon in March 2015 at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port, and read some letters from past scholarship recipients.

    President Daria shared information about some changes and updates to the club’s website (ukrainianamericanclub.com) and also explained in great detail the Prime Time Reading Program at the North Port Library. The club will host the program’s dinner Oct. 16. Volunteerservers should report to the library at 4 p.m.

    The “didusi” (grandfathers) report was delivered by Lieda Boyko, who reported that the club is currently assisting three elderly single men and one elderly widow in Ukraine. She also read some messages from the recipients of stipends. Klara Szpiczka and Maria Hirniak discussed the embroidery project, which is in the final stage of completion, but it is the most difficult, labor-intensive and time-consuming phase.

    To be ready for the election of officers in the spring, President Daria nominated three members to the Nominating Committee: Maria Hirniak, Oksana Lev and yours truly, and announced that the annual Christmas dinner committee will be chaired by Anna Mariani of Port Charlotte. The dinner will be held Dec. 6 at the Oseredok.

    The traditional 50/50 raffle winner was Yara Litosh, who generously donated her winnings to the club’s didusi project.

    Before adjourning the meeting, President Daria brought up the matter of fundraising for IFAKs (improved first-aid kits costing $100 each) for the Ukrainian Armed Forces and volunteer battalion personnel engaged in defending Ukraine from Russian military invasion and domestic terrorists. Several individuals made significant pledges.

    After the meeting was adjourned but before the traditional social hour over coffee and pastry, Natalie Sluzar of North Port, who traveled to Ukraine this summer, gave a superb, very interesting presentation about her trip, augmented by interesting photographs.
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    There will be no meeting of Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian Veterans this Friday. The meeting will take place at 3 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Oseredok.

    The monthly membership meeting of 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, will take place at 10 a.m. Oct. 7 at the Oseredok.

    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