In Bloomingdale, near Chicago, members of Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) Post 32 initiated the unveiling of a monument on the territory of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in honor of their fellow veterans and their fallen comrades. The monument honors military personnel of Ukrainian origin who dedicated their lives to serving the United States and protecting its values.
This was reported by Maria Klimchak.
The author of the sculpture was Mykola Sidelnyk, a veteran who embodied the vision of the memory of his brothers through art. The site for the monument was chosen near the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Andrew in Bloomingdale - a famous memorial cemetery where the heroes of the UPA and liberation struggles rest. Monuments to the victims of the Holodomor (sculptor Kushch) and the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred (sculptor Yevhen Prokopov) are also located here.
Representatives of Ukrainian public, youth and church organizations, as well as families of veterans, including the fourth generation of military personnel, took part in the grand opening. Among the honored guests was Brigadier General of the US Army Leonid Kondratyuk, who noted the significant contribution of Ukrainians to the development and security of America.
The event was organized by the parish of St. Andrew the First-Called, activists John Yaresko, Vasyl Mirutenko and Mykola Sidelnyk. The veterans of the local branch of the all-American organization of Ukrainian veterans of the US Armed Forces “Post 32” are known for their active activities - they have repeatedly visited hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Kyiv, Lviv, Zhytomyr, as well as the training ground in Yavoriv, supporting wounded Ukrainian defenders. Among them were Congressman Volodymyr Dudych, public figure Yuliyan Kulyas, Ivan Stetsiv, Petro Benzak, Vasyl Mirutenko, Bohdan Dudych and others.
“There is much to be said about the history of the creation of the Ukrainian-American Veterans Organization. But the best evidence of its significance is the people themselves, because after talking with the guest of the ceremony, Brigadier General of the US Army Leonid Kondratyuk, it becomes clear how much Ukrainian sons and daughters have given to America: courageous, talented, indomitable,” said Maria Klymchak.
The veterans thanked the community for their support, and Ukrainian organizations for preserving historical memory. The authors of the event also addressed American journalists, urging them to pay more attention to such events that testify to the contribution of the Ukrainian community to the life of the country.
As the organizers summarized, the monument became not only a sign of respect, but also a reminder of the connection between generations of Ukrainians who served America without forgetting their roots and Ukraine.
Photo: Maria Klimchak.
Author: Danylo Pievchev