Ukrainian American Veterans elect new leadership

     The North Port Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, headed by Eugene “Gene” A. Tomashosky of North Port, held its monthly membership meeting last Friday at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center (known as the “Oseredok”), and elected a new slate of officers to lead the post for 2014-2016.

    Col. Roman Rondiak, USA (Ret.) of Osprey, UAV national adjutant, was elected post commander; Col. Roman Synychak, USA (Ret.), vice commander; Oleh Sawkiw, finance officer; the Rev. Roman Badiak, chaplain; Dr. George Baranowskyj, judge advocate; Mykola Kompanijec, quartermaster; John Czerkas, historian; Marian Bojsiuk, UAV national chaplain/ service officer, welfare/ service officer, and Bohdan P. Hirniak, P.E., public relations officer. Eugene A. Tomashosky will serve on the post executive board as immediate past post commander. Post Commander Rondiak will appoint the post adjutant, as per the UAV constitution and bylaws.

    The newly elected and re-elected officers will be formally installed by UAV National Commander Ihor W. Hron, Post 40 past post commander, Thursday at the Officers Installation/ Fundraiser Luncheon at Heron Creek Golf & Country Club in North Port.

    All tickets for the luncheon are sold out. In addition to the installation ceremony there will be a reading of 16 post members’ names who passed away, a presentation of the Commander’s Award to a community activist, recognition of special guests including the Armed Forces of Ukraine officers now serving as liaisons with the Headquarters United States Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, and an auction for paintings. The keynote speaker will be outgoing North Port Mayor Jim Blucher.
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    On Nov. 4, in the Cathedral of St. Josaphat in Parma, Ohio, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Patriarch Svyatoslav (Shevchuk) of Kyiv, Ukraine, presided over the consecration and enthronement of the newly elected Ordinary of the Eparchy of St. Josaphat in Parma, Bishop Bohdan

J. Danylo.

    The Ukrainian Catholic parishes in Florida, including North Port’s Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church, belong to St. Josaphat Eparchy (the Diocese). My wife Katrusia and I were invited but, sadly, were unable to attend the pontifical divine liturgy with the rite of ordination and installation, and other activities, due to her physical condition.
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    HBO announced that it has finalized a deal to carry live American coverage of Saturday’s heavyweight championship fight between Wladimir Klitschko (62-3, 53 KOs), and challenger Kubrat Pulev (20-0, 11 KOs) of Bulgaria from the O2 World arena in Hamburg, Germany.

    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