BRAMA, November 16, 2000, 12:00pm EST

Ukrainian American Veterans lose support as a result of national election losses

As if the recent November presidential election didn't cause enough controversy and confusion across the United States, it also caused a minor setback for the Ukrainian American Veterans. In their pursuit of a National Charter the UAV has lost 5 cosponsors either directly due to election losses or to a change in the Senate. The Ukrainian American Veterans have been in pursuit of a National Charter for more than 25 years that would put them on an equal platform as all other Veterans' groups such as the American Legion and VFW.

Rep David E. Bonoir of Michigan introduced and sponsored legislation (H.R. 3463) to grant the UAV a National Charter. Prior to the November elections Rep. Bonoir was moving in a positive direction with 67 cosponsors. Losing Rep. Cook (Utah), Rep. Forbes (NY), Rep. Franks (NJ), Rep Klink (PA) along with Rep. Stabenow (MI) who won election to the Senate, caused an unnecessary setback that was unforeseen.

During the 53rd National UAV Convention which was held in Warren Michigan Rep. Bonoir not only pledged full support to the veterans but also impressed them with his knowledge of current events in Ukraine and recent Ukrainian Olympic Medal winners. Promising to honor the sacrifices put forth by the Ukrainian American soldier in times of conflict and peace he seeks to erase the constant problems associated with bipartisan politics and the current moratorium on Federal Charters. But a moratorium has not stopped several minority groups from obtaining a charter during this period.

"The important thing is to try to get up to 100 cosponsors by years end so that when the bill is introduced into the House of Representatives in the spring of 2001 a solid foundation for the passage of the bill would have been established," explained Rep. Bonoir.

While those less informed tend to argue that a Federal Charter is just a symbolic gesture to a veteran's group they could not be more misguided. In Yonkers, NY for example the Yonkers Central Committee of War Veterans oversees the activities and functions for all 19 veterans groups in the city of 200,000 people. According to the by-laws of the YCCWV the Ukrainian veterans are unable to partake in any of their functions or even belong to it. This is a common problem throughout the United States wherever the UAV has an established post. A National Charter would allow the local posts to participate in such organizations and have a say in the planning of events such as Memorial Day and Veteran's Day parades. Ever since joining the UAV in April 1999, Yonkers Post 301 has been involved in several humanitarian projects that have garnered considerable media attention. As a result the Yonkers Central Committee of War Veterans made an amendment to the by-laws to accept the Ukrainian post into their ranks. Now the UAV has 2 representatives holding office in the YCCWV, Post Vice Commander Nicholas Skirka serves on the Auditing Committee and Post Commander Taras D. Szczur is the current Vice Chairman and head of the Memorial Day Parade for 2001. A State Charter is available to those states which have more than 3 posts. Buffalo, Spring Valley, Brooklyn, and New York City currently hold State Charters. But for other states where there are fewer than 3 posts the local UAV post becomes an outcast.

The bill, if passed by the House of Representatives, would have to be also passed by the Senate within a 2 year period. Rep. Bonoir who won reelection also applauded the efforts and support of Rep Benjamin Gilman (NY) who added the Jewish War Veterans as an organizational endorser.

The Ukrainian American Veterans were founded over the Memorial Day weekend in Philadelphia in 1948. The Ukrainian American Military Association (UAMA) works in conjunction with the UAV providing a wealth of information about current or past military to military exercises with Ukraine where the UAMA acts as translator/soldier.

In his book "UKRAINIAN AMERICAN VETERANS 1948-1998 HISTORICAL ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION," past National Commander Dmytro Bodnarczuk, Ph.D., traces individual Ukrainian participation in the US military back to the Revolutionary War. Marine Major Kocak (W.W.I), Army Private Nicholas Minue (WW2), and Peter Tomich of the Navy (WW2) are all Ukrainian Americans who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.

In addition to their pursuit of a national Charter the UAV/UAMA is in a never-ending project of trying to document all Ukrainians that served in the US Armed Forces whether it was during a period of conflict or simply as the role of peacekeeper. Cold War Recognition Certificate applications are available for those whose Honorable service time included September 2, 1945 to December 26, 1991. Applications for lost/replacement DD214 (separation from active duty) are also available. These forms are available to family members of deceased veterans.

Prior to the conclusion of the convention in Warren outgoing National Commander Steven Szewczuk was thanked for his lobbying efforts in Washington DC in regard to the Charter. Elected to the National Executive Board for 2000-2001 were:

For more information on the UAV or UAMA contact Taras D. Szczur at
914-376-3272 or email xmarinesgt@aol.com

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