A meeting of friends and partners of the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation was held at the Ukraine House in Washington, D.C., dedicated to supporting veterans of the Russian-Ukrainian war and developing educational programs at the Ukrainian Catholic University. During the event, participants discussed projects aimed at the reintegration of Ukraine's defenders, as well as the importance of ensuring accessible education for youth and veterans.
This was reported by Ukraine House.
The participants were welcomed by the General Director of the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation, Annette Khevko, who presented the foundation's key initiatives and spoke about the development of veteran support programs.
Special attention was paid during the meeting to the personal stories of Ukrainian defenders. Veterans Andriy Kaspryshak, Hlib Bityukov, Pavlo Zaremba, Yevheniy Klymenko, and Larysa Klymenko shared their testimonies.
“Hlib and Andriy shared their touching personal stories about how the war changed their lives, how they found a new purpose in the UCU community, and how they are now dedicating themselves to helping others,” Ukraine House noted.
The opening remarks were delivered by the Advisor to the President of Ukraine on Reconstruction and Investment, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States, Oksana Markarova, who emphasized the importance of developing educational opportunities for Ukrainian veterans.
“I thank the Director General of the UCU Foundation, Annette Hevko, and the Board of Directors for their leadership and dedication to making education accessible to the youth of Ukraine, as well as for creating a direction to support our veterans,” the organizers of the event noted.
Former Majority Leader of the US House of Representatives, David Bonior, also joined the discussion, who shared his vision for the development of the veteran movement in Ukraine and noted the importance of international support for such initiatives.
Special thanks were expressed to Oleksandr Kuzma, Director of Development of the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation, for his work on building partnerships between Ukrainian and American institutions.
During the meeting, the battle flag of the 39th Separate Marine Brigade, signed by the brigade commander, Colonel Bohdan Przhegalinsky, was also presented to Ukraine House.
This was announced by the Presidential Advisor on the Reconstruction of Ukraine and Investment Attraction, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States (2021-2025) Oksana Markarova.
“The flag of the cool 39th Separate Marine Brigade, signed by Colonel Bohdan Przhegalinsky, has reached Ukraine House in Washington. Thank you and the entire brigade for serving and defending Ukraine. Thanks to Yevhen and Larisa Klymenko, Pavlo Zaremba, and the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation, the flag will find its rightful place here to remind all Americans of how our Marines defend the freedom of Ukraine and the world every day, and to strengthen support for Ukraine in the United States,” Markarova noted.
The organizers emphasized that the evening was not only an opportunity to talk about the activities of the Ukrainian Catholic University, but also a platform to strengthen international support for Ukrainian veterans, their education, and successful integration into civilian life.
Photo: Ukraine House
Author: Inna Mikhno