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Ukrainian American Veterans |
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Ukrainian
American Veterans By Lt. Col. Miroslaus Malaniak PNC
A meeting to establish a Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV)
Post in Buffalo, New York convened under the direction and leadership of
William Drabyk. Charter members were Miroslaus "Mark" Malaniak, Michael Kinal,
Michael Blendonohy, Ivan Makuch, and John Kicak. The meeting was held on 12
May 1978 at St. Basil's Church Hall, in Lancaster, N.Y.
The UAV National Headquarters officially presented the
Charter of Ukrainian American Veterans Post 23 in May 1978.
Since its establishment, the post does not have a permanent
headquarters and has conducted meetings at St. Basil's Church Hall, Ukrainian
Home "Dnipro," Ukrainian Civic Center, and presently at the Joseph Hriczko
V.F.W. Post 6245.
The first slate of officers under the command of William
Drabyk were: Vice Commander John Kicak, Adjutant Miroslaus Malaniak, Finance
Officer Julian Konotopsky, Judge Advocate Andrew Diakun, and Chaplain Eugene
Pivovarnik.
Due to change in employment, Cmdr. Drabyk left New York State
and Miroslaus Malaniak was elected commander on 23 June 1979. Cmdr. Malaniak
held this office until 26 March 1986, when Michael Liskiewicz assumed command.
On 14 November 1982 contact was made with Mrs. Julia (nee
Holynskyj) Kapitanec to obtain permission to use the name of her brother,
Wolodymyr Holynskyj, as the namesake for our post. Corporal Holynskyj was a
Ukrainian immigrant who served in the U.S. Army and gave his life in the
Korean conflict.
A ceremony in honor of Wolodymyr Holynskyj and dedication of
Post Colors was held on 24 September 1983. Mr. George Palmer, a well known
artist in the area was commissioned to paint an oil portrait of Cpl. Holynskyj
for our post.
Since its inception, the Wolodymyr Holynskyj Post 23 took
part in numerous Ukrainian American activities. These activities included: The
annual Ukrainian Independence Day celebration held in January and August, the
20th anniversary of the consecration and dedication of the Taras Shevchenko
Monument and anti-Russification rally held on 17 March 1985 in Washington,
D.C., the celebration of the Millennium of Ukrainian Christianity in 1988,
memorial ceremonies held at the Vietnam monument in Buffalo, N.Y., 45th
anniversary of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), the "Vinok" Beamsville
Ukrainian Festival in Canada, Ukrainian American Veterans Memorial Day
services, and various other veteran celebrations and activities.
The current Post 23 Commander is Michael Liskiewicz. For more
information about Post 23, contact:
Copyright © 1997-2001 by Walter Demetro of PC HELP L.L.C.,
George A. Miziuk of GAM-WEB and the
Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Last updated June 26, 2001.
Buffalo, New York Post 23
Corporal Wolodymyr Holynskyj
Post
Lt. Col. Miroslaus Malaniak
PNC
73 Mercer Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y. 14214
Telephone: (716)
837-7855
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