A commemorative event dedicated to the Heroes of the Battle of Kruty, the Heroes of the Revolution of Dignity, and the defenders of Ukraine in the current war took place at the Vasyl Stus School of Ukrainian Studies in Chicago. On this day, students, teachers, parents, and representatives of local organizations — SUM named after Mykola Pavlushkov and PLAST — gathered to honor those who, more than a hundred years ago and today, have given their lives for the freedom, independence, and future of Ukraine.
This was reported by Radio UA Chicago.
During the event, speakers recalled the feat of the young Heroes of Kruty who, on January 29, 1918, as students and gymnasium pupils, stood in defense of their homeland against a far stronger enemy. They were young, yet filled with profound love for Ukraine and a deep sense of responsibility for its fate. Their sacrifice became an example for future generations and a moral compass for today’s youth.
Students of the school prepared a thematic presentation dedicated to the Heroes of Kruty and to contemporary defenders of Ukraine. Senior students spoke about the heroism of Ukrainian soldiers in the current war and about the price of freedom that Ukraine pays every day.
Special attention was given to the defenders of Ukraine who, since 2014 and especially since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, have taken up arms to defend their native land. It was emphasized that many of them are members and alumni of SUM and PLAST — young people from Ukrainian communities who did not remain indifferent to the struggle for their country’s freedom.
In her address, school principal Nataliia Ponomarova stressed that today’s heroes, like the Heroes of Kruty, are defending not only Ukraine’s territory, but also the Ukrainian language, culture, dignity, and the right to exist as a free nation. She underscored the importance of educating the younger generation in a spirit of responsibility for the fate of the homeland, even while living far from it.
During the event, the names of SUM members who were killed in the struggle for Ukraine were remembered: Yevhen Voitsekhiivskyi, Vitalii Volkotrub, Mykhailo Dimitrov, Hryts Dobosh, Oleh Yurchenko, Viktor Melnychenko, Yurko Moroz, Hryhorii Stepaniuk, Roman Korvatskyi, Yaroslav Kondryshyn, and Vasyl Mykytsiei. Their names were spoken as symbols of sacrifice and fidelity to their oath.
The memory of hero Mykhailo Yavorskyi was honored separately. A resident of Chicago, he traveled to Ukraine in the first days of the full-scale war to defend its independence and was killed heroically in 2023. He was posthumously awarded Ukraine’s highest state honor — the title Hero of Ukraine.
PLAST members also commemorated heroes who have been killed in Ukraine since 2014, including Marko Paslavskyi, Viktor Hurniak, Roman Dubinskyi, Volodymyr Tretiak, Artemii Dymyd, Pavlo Petrushchak, Lev Kmit, Yevhen Lemeshenko, and others. It was noted that many of them were posthumously awarded the Iron Plast Cross.
As part of the ceremonial program, PLAST representatives presented an in-depth overview of the full-scale war and the heroic actions of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.
The Chicago PLAST leader Andrii Kolomiiets invited PLAST educator Volodymyr Shurhot — a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a participant in the liberation of Kherson in 2022 — to speak. He shared his personal experience of service, spoke about the realities of war, and answered questions from the youth.
The event concluded with a moving video titled “They Did Not Betray Their Oaths,” dedicated to PLAST and SUM members who lost their lives in the war.
The Heroes’ Day at the Vasyl Stus School of Ukrainian Studies became an important lesson in historical memory, patriotism, and responsibility toward those who are defending Ukraine today. Even far from their homeland, the Ukrainian community in Chicago continues to support its people, raise youth in love for Ukraine, and preserve the memory of its heroes.
Those present honored the memory of all who died for Ukraine’s independence and unity with a moment of silence.
Photo: Ukrainian School of Chicago – Школа Українознавства ім. В. Стуса в Чікаго
Author: Danylo Pievchev