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Ukrainian
American Veterans
Freehold, New Jersey
Major Myron Diduryk Post 30
By
Anna Osinska Krawczuk, UAV Vice Commander
It was in 1989, at the initiative of Jurij Jacus that
efforts were made to unify Ukrainian American Veterans in Monmouth County New
Jersey. The response was positive and action followed with the help of UAV New
Jersey State Commander George Miziuk.
On October 9, 1990, an initial organizational meeting was
held in Holmdel, New Jersey. National Adjutant George Miziuk and National Public
Relations Officer Andrew Kaybida opened the meeting and gave a brief outline of
the history, goals and ideals of the Ukrainian American Veterans.
A motion to form UAV Post 30 in
Freehold, New Jersey (the seat of Monmouth County) was made by Ihor W. Husar,
seconded by Anna Krawczuk, and accepted unanimously. Mr. Husar presented a
report of the Nominating Committee and the following officers were elected:
|
Jurij Jacus |
Commander |
|
Bernard W. Krawczuk |
Vice Commander |
|
George Buk |
Finance Officer |
|
Anna Krawczuk |
Adjutant |
|
John Lucyk |
Service Officer |
|
Ihor W. Husar |
Public Relations Officer |
|
Nikolaus Holinaty |
Trustee |
|
Msgr. Anthony Borsa |
Chaplain |
On November 13, 1990 the formal presentation of the Post
30 Charter and Installation of Officers was conducted by UAV National Commander
Dmytro Bykovetz, Jr. and National Adjutant George Miziuk.
On February 12, 1991 post members voted to select Major
Myron Diduryk as their Honorary Post patron. Major Diduryk was a New Jersey
resident, hailed from Jersey City, New Jersey, and served in the US Army. Major
Diduryk was killed by a sniper in Vietnam on April 26, 1970.
On November 14, 1991 Post 30 sent a letter to President
George Bush, signed by PC Jurij Jacus and Adjutant Anna Krawczuk, with an
appeal to recognize and give full diplomatic recognition to Ukraine from the US
Government.
As the activity of the post mandated it was necessary to
raise money to purchase an American, Ukrainian and UAV Post 30 flags.
Membership decided that caroling was the best fundraiser at hand and soon after
all the flags were secured, including UAV Post 30 with embroidered name of
Major Myron Diduryk clearly visible.
UAV Post 30 members started to take part in American and
Ukrainian Memorial Services. At the invitation of the Governor of New Jersey,
Post members attended State parades and ceremonies. From the beginning our post
supported New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel, New Jersey, and Jurij Jacus
and Bernard Krawczuk participated in its dedication on May 7, 1995. Each year
Memorial ceremonies are held on May 7th.
On the walkway to the Memorial you will find two bricks
with an inscription dedicated to Major Diduryk funded by UAV Post 30. Myron
Diduryk's name is imprinted on the Memorial together with 1,556 New Jersey
fallen comrades. With the opening of the Vietnam Era Educational Center at the
Memorial, UAV Post 30 donated a book Ukrainian American Veterans 1948 - 1998
- Historical Analysis and Evaluation to its library. We are also seeking
biographical data of other Ukrainian Americans listed on the Memorial to submit
to the Center.
New Jersey Vietnam Veterans' Memorial and Vietnam Era
Education Center is visible and located at exit 116 of the Garden State
Parkway, Holmdel, New Jersey.
For the last couple of years, UAV Post 30 has been active
lobbying New Jersey Congressmen and seeking their co-sponsorship for the
Federal Charter of the Ukrainian American Veterans Bill HR 818. The delegation has met
with Congressman Rush Holt and presented him with a "History of the UAV" book.
UAV Post 30 members took an active part in
"Adopt-a-Hospital" project in New Jersey. In 1994 they sponsored one
of the four visiting doctors from Zaporizhzia, Ukraine, and were instrumental
in driving them to Deborah Hospital for a tour, where they were very welcome by
the Hospital staff. UAV Post 30 also sponsors an 11-year-old boy from Ukraine
through the UNWLA Scholarship Program and supports UAV Welfare and Scholarship
Funds.
Bernard W. Krawczuk is the current UAV Post Commander.
Anna Krawczuk served as Judge Advocate on the UAV National
Board in 2000 and at the UAV Convention in 2001 was elected National Vice
Commander. From 1998 she has been the coordinator of the UAV Registration
Project.
UAV Post 30 delegates attended most of the UAV Conventions
since 1991.
It is with sorrow that UAV Post 30 bid farewell to Msgr.
Anthony Borsa and John Zakanycz. Their memory will live forever in the hearts
of the members of UAV Post 30.
UAV Post 30 is recruiting and
seeking new members. Please write to: Bernard W. Krawczuk, Post Commander, UAV
Post 30, PO Box 172, Holmdel, New Jersey 07733-0172. e-mail:
UAV.Post30@worldnet.att.net.
UAV Post 30 members paying tribute
to their Patron Major Myron Diduryk at the inscription of his name on the New
Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Holmdel, New Jersey.
First row from left: Jerry A. Schmotolocha, Anna Krawczuk,
George Buk, Alexander Zanko, Mike Blyskun and Jurij Jacus;
Second row: Walter Czepizak, Bernard W. Krawczuk, Nikolaus Holinary, Stan
Jakubowycz, Zenon Hac, John Zakanycz and Alekxander Jakubowycz.
Not in photo: Danylo Bilowchtchuk, John Bortnyk, Alexander
Brazko, Sophia Brazko, Michael Krawczuk, Edward Kuchar, Martin A. Solonynka and
social member Osyp Fedyna.
Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day, May 7, 2002
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Copyright © 2002 by Walter Demetro
of PC HELP L.L.C.,
and the Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc. All Rights Reserved.