Commemorating heroes, saying ‘thanks’ to officials

While reading the true history of Ukraine, not the version developed by our neighbors, especially Russia, and accepted as “true” by most western, including American, politicians and others, one will recognize that Ukrainians were freedom-loving people who fought, often with arms, to regain the freedom and independence of Ukraine.
Several brief interludes of independence during the last century ended in defeat, and what followed were more drastic measures by the occupiers.
One of the attempts to stand up to the advancing mighty Communist Russian armada is known in Ukrainian history as “Battle of Brody”, which took place in the second half of July 1944, in the vicinity of the small city of Brody, some 60 miles northeast of L’viv, cultural, and at one time a political capital of Western Ukraine. A military division of volunteers, in a large part young students and recent high school graduates, having witnessed recent murders by KGB (at that time known as NKVD) of thousands of patriotic Ukrainians, decided to take up arms in an attempt to stop the Soviet Army from taking L’viv. Outnumbered and out-gunned, the division was no match for the advancing armor, supported by aircraft.
Thousands were killed, many taken prisoner (and many of these summarily executed by SMERSH), with only a small number managing to survive, including those who had joined the Ukrainian Underground Army, known as “UPA,” fighting both invaders, Nazi Germany and Stalin’s Communist Russia.
The patriotic Ukrainians in Ukraine and throughout the world commemorate the thousands of young heroes of the “Battle of Brody” and pray for the repose of their souls during the month of July.
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The Ukrainian American community of North Port and Southwest Florida is very appreciative of the action of the North Port City Commission and of the Sarasota County Commission for recognizing the upcoming 25th anniversary of restoration of Ukraine’s independence which will be observed Aug. 24, 2016.
The proclamation for the 25th anniversary of the renewed Independence of Ukraine was presented by North Port Mayor Jacqueline Moore to Professor Vira Bodnaruk, president of the Coordinating Committee of Ukrainian American Clubs and Organizations of North Port and vicinity, during the city of North Port City Commission Special Meeting on July 7.
Approximately 30 representatives of the Ukrainian American community, including members of the local Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40 of the Ukrainian American Veterans, attended the ceremony. Presentation of the proclamation of the 25th anniversary of the restoration of Ukraine’s independence by the Sarasota County Commission took place July 12 at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Building of Sarasota County in Venice.
Representatives of the Southwest Florida Ukrainian American community, most wearing the traditional Ukrainian embroidered attire, attended the ceremony. Members of the Ukrainian American Veterans, led by the UAV National Commander Ihor W. Hron, were in their summer uniforms.
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To commemorate the 110th anniversary of the birth of Olena Teliha, who was born July 21, 1906, a commemorative assembly will take place tomorrow at the Memorial Cross at Babyn Yar near Kyiv.
Olena Teliha, poetess, publicist, literary personality and civic leader was murdered by the Nazis, together with her husband and several other Ukrainian patriots at Babyn Yar in February 1942. 
 

Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn (atanask@aol.com)