WORLD WAR II UAV VETERANS HONORED AT 58TH NATIONAL CONVENTION
by Walter Bodnar, UAV National Adjutant
UNA Resort Soyuzivka was the site of the 58th UAV Convention from September 29 to October 2,
2005. The convention was run by the UAV National Board with Immediate Past National Commander
Mathew Koziak chairing the convention committee. At the 57th UAV Convention National Executive
Board Officers were elected to a two year term thus no elections this year. It was also the 31st
Convention of the UAV National Ladies Auxiliary with Oksana Koziak elected as their new
president. Outgoing UAV NLA president Helen Drabyk received a citation at the banquet and a
standing ovation for her devoted leadership and dedication to the UAV. President Oksana Koziak
thanked for the support and trust bestowed upon her.
On the eve of the convention on September 29, 2005, the UAV National Executive Board held an
informal meeting which dealt mainly with correspondence. The 58th UAV National Convention
officially started on September 30, 2005 and UAV National Commander Anna Krawczuk led the
opening ceremony. UAV National Chaplain Dorothy Budacki read the opening prayer, which was
followed by a formal Roll Call by National Adjutant Walter Bodnar.
In her brief opening remarks, Commander Krawczuk welcomed all the delegates, members of the
Ladies Auxiliary, guests and recognized the guest speaker , UAV Post 101 member Oksana Xenos, Esq.
, LTC-Ret, JAGC, USAR, whose presentation "Do's and Don'ts For Veteran Organizations" was on
the agenda in the morning session. The Ukrainian American Veterans have an IRS War Veterans
status under IRS Code 501 (c) 19 and Ms. Xenos, who is an attorney and tax law specialist on
Tax-Exempt Organizations with the IRS Rulings and Agreements Office in Washington, D. C.,
explained in detail this IRS determination. Her subject matter was of great interest to the
delegates and the many questions and detailed answers attested to that.
Helen Drabyk, president of the UAV National Ladies Auxiliary, thanked everyone for supporting the
fundraisers and announced that, as in prior years, UAV National Ladies Auxiliary will continue
to donate to the UAV Welfare and Scholarship programs. The Auxiliary was also in charge of
the registration of delegates. Financial and activity reports were given by the following
officers: Finance Officer Wasyl Liscynecky, Quartermaster Stephen Kostecki, Welfare Myroslaw
Pryjma, Scholarship Nicholas Skirka, and UAV Registration plus UAV National Monument Committee
financials by Anna Krawczuk. After discussions all above reports were accepted.
Before reading her activity report National Commander Anna Krawczuk thanked everyone for their
support, cooperation and volunteerism that enabled her to continue the work of the UAV.
She congratulated Dorothy Budacki, World War II veteran, for being named to the Ohio Veterans Hall
of Fame by Governor Bob Taft. The induction ceremony will be on November 3, 2005 in the
auditorium of the Franklin County Veterans Memorial in Columbus, Ohio.
An analysis of the state of the UAV and membership followed. Krawczuk emphasized the importance
of the ongoing projects: UAV Registration, the UAV National Monument, and the pursuit of the
Federal Charter with the Bill HR 769 now pending in the US Congress. Commander concluded with the
information that the 58th UAV Convention journal was dedicated to American troops fighting
the war on terror. After acceptance of the National Commander's report it was time for committees'
deliberations.
On October 1, 2005 the morning agenda included UAV National Executive Board Officers' activity
reports: Vice Commander Walter Michajliw, Adjutant Walter Bodnar, Judge Advocate Michael Demchuk,
Chaplain/Service Officer Dorothy Budacki, Historian Vasyl Luchki PNC, Public Relations
Michael Wowk, Webmaster/Tribune/Federal Charter Walter Demetro and UAV National Monument Committee
Co-chair Mathew Koziak, PNC. Their committee reports were accepted as well, including Michael
Wowk's who chaired Website and Tribune committee.
The Resolutions Committee was chaired by Past National Commander Atanas Kobryn, and were accepted
as follows:
We, Ukrainian American Veterans, assembled at our 58th National Convention held at the Ukrainian
National Association estate "Soyuzivka" in Kerhonkson, New York, on September 29 to October 2,
2005, HEREBY RESOLVE:
58-1: To support the United States Government in the pursuit of peace and democracy
throughout the world through the elimination of the global terrorist network.
58-2: To support American men and women in uniform, especially those now serving in Afghanistan
and Iraq, and appeal to our Government and the US Congress to provide them with all necessary
means to complete their mission.
58-3: To appeal to the US Government and Congress to provide the necessary funding for the support
of quality of life standards of military families and for continuation of quality services by
Veterans' hospitals and clinics.
58-4: To express our concern for the regions affected by the recent natural disasters, and to
appeal to the UAV members and general public to do everything in their power to assist the victims
of those disasters.
58-5: To appeal to all American veterans of Ukrainian heritage to register in the UAV Registration
Project and to become members of the Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc.
The Commander closed the 58th UAV National Convention with proper ceremony.
First on the agenda was the banquet was installation of UAV National Ladies Auxiliary officers
which was officiated by Past National Commander Eugene Sagasz. PNC Sagasz also introduced and
welcomed the UAV National Executive Board officers. Convention chair Mathew Koziak welcomed
everyone and introduced banquet Master of Ceremonies Colonel Leonid Kondratiuk, from UAV Post 31
in Boston. After proper introductions at the head table MC Kondratiuk called upon Commander
Krawczuk to read the message from President George W. Bush. Greetings from Senator Charles
Schumer (D- NY), Archbishop Antony of Ukrainian Orthodox Church of USA and others were ready by
the Master of Ceremonies . (Messages from New York Governor George Pataki, Senator Hillary
Rodham Clinton, UNWLA and UCCA were printed in the journal).
After dinner the UAV National commander Krawczuk gave a brief speech and she asked for a moment
of silence for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice - gave their lives in the war on terror
and to remember all the victims of hurricane Katrina and Rita who did not survive.
The Commander also underlined that this year was the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II
and she thanked UAV World War II members for their courage and service.
Commander Krawczuk ended her speech with: "The end of World War II in 1945 brought a close to
this colossal war but it did not bring freedom to the Ukrainian nation. Instead, it brought
further tyranny and more suffering. It was not until 1991 and the breakup of the Soviet Union that
Ukraine became a sovereign state. It took another fourteen years for democracy to take root.
However, Ukrainian freedom fighters did not die in vain, and millions of Ukrainian people did
not perish in vain. Today, they are being honored in Ukraine and Ukrainian Diaspora and
remembered as great warriors and patriots."
The main event of this evening was the presentation of engraved Certificates to active UAV World
War II veterans in recognition of the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II. Post by UAV
Post they were recognized, their names were read and those attending the banquet were asked
to come forward to receive their well deserved award.
Past National Commander Eugene Sagasz was recognized for his dedication to the Ukrainian American
Veterans, Inc. and as National Installation Officer at many UAV conventions.
At the end, MC Kondratiuk called upon the bugler, UAV Post 301 Commander John Tkachuk to
play TAPS.
The evening continued with music by the "Lvivyany" with dancing and socializing by the
assembled veterans and guests.
For information about the activities of the Ukrainian American Veterans please visit our website:
www.uavets.org or write to:
Ukrainian American Veterans PO Box 172
Holmdel, New Jersey 07733
1. Past National Commander Eugene Sagasz with UAV NC Anna Krawczuk.
2. Oksana Xenos, Esq. (Lt Col US Army Retired) at the podium
3. 58th UAV National Convention delegates at UNA Resort Soyuzivka. In the center of the first row: UAV NC Anna Krawczuk and UAV N Chaplain Dorothy Budacki