In addition to members of North Port’s Cpl. Roman G. Lazor Post 40, many visiting veterans from out of state came to enjoy the camaraderie, delicious buffet luncheon, and, most of all, to witness formal installation of the new slate of officers of Post 40.
After the opening remarks by outgoing Post Commander Col. Roman Rondiak, opening ceremonies (posting of colors and singing of national anthems) conducted by PPC and UAV National Chaplain Marian Bojsiuk, introduction of guests, new members, past national commanders Atanas T. Kobryn and Ihor W. Hron, commemoration of departed Post 40 members, and invocation and blessing by Rev. Roman Badiak, post chaplain, it was time to enjoy the delicacies presented by the famous Heron Creek Golf & Country Club buffet.
The installation and swearing in ceremony was professionally conducted by PPC Marian Bojsiuk, UAV national chaplain. Installed were: PNC Ihor W. Hron, of Osprey, post commander; PPC Eugene (“Gene”) A. Tomashosky, vice commander; John Czerkas - post adjutant, Oleh Sawkiw, finance officer; Dr. George Baranowskyj, judge advocate; Rev. Roman Badiak, chaplain; Mykola Kompanijec, quartermaster; Bohdan Hirniak, public relations officer; PPC Marian Bojsiuk, welfare officer, and Col. Roman Rondiak — immediate past post commander.
Two special awards were also presented. A plaque was presented to Vladimier “Vlad” Szpiczka, of North Port, for his many years of service to the community and to Post 40. He provided background music at the luncheon.
A second plaque was presented to Kenneth A. Miller, commandant of Marine Corps League, Detachment 948, for Detachment’s exemplary community service and several yearslong cooperation with and support of UAV Post 40.
Two special guests, Ukrainian Army colonels Bodnar and Cholovskyi, currently serving as liaisons with the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, were presented with UAV medallions.
The winner of the 50/50 drawing amounting to several hundred dollars was Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor of Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church in North Port, who attended the ceremony with his wife, Luba. He donated the entire amount back for support of UAV Programs.
Members of Post 40, led by Col. Rondiak, and the color guard, attended the traditional Veterans Day observance Friday, Nov. 11, at the Veterans Park in North Port.
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The Ukrainian American Club of Southwest Florida, headed by Daria Tomashosky of North Port, will have its membership meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov.
30 at the Oseredok.
Halya Lisnyczyj, chair of Social Services Committee, reminds members to take to the meeting unwrapped children’s toys and nonperishable food items.
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To commemorate the victims of HOLODOMOR, an artificial famine created by Stalin and his cohorts in 1932-1933 in Ukraine resulting in millions of Ukrainian peasants, women and children starving to death in the richest food-producing country in Europe, an ecumenical “Panakhyda” (requiem service) was celebrated last Sunday at the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church.
The celebrants were: Rev. Vasyl Petriv, pastor, and Rt. Rev. Mitrat Archpriest Wolodymyr Woloszczuk, pastor-emeritus, with two Ukrainian Orthodox priests, Rt. Rev John Fatenko and Rev. Oleh Saciuk, who were accompanied by several dozen Ukrainian Orthodox faithful.
Our Neighbors — The Ukrainians
by Atanas Kobryn
Thanks for the very interesting information!
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