Founded:             Post was founded in April 1999 by Atanas T. Kobryn, PNC and 5 members.

                           In 2010 Post has 40 members - Two are on active duty, - UAS NAVY and US ARMY.

 

Meetings and location: Meetings are held first Friday of the month at 3:00 PM in Post Room at Ukrainian               

                        “OSEREDOK”, Biscayne Blvd. in North Port. FL

 

Information and contact: Post Commander Ihor W. Hron  941-966-2845  ihorwhron@comcast.net

                                            Post Adjutant Roman Kilar 239-599-8388  rtkilars@aol.com

 

Officers: Commander                                     Ihor W. Hron                      

               Vice Commander                             Paul Wosny                                    

                Adjutant                                        Roman Kilar

                Finance                                         John Homick

                Quartermaster                               Myron Ferenc

                Chaplain & WO                               Ihor Hron, PPC

                PR & Historian                                Jerry Zinycz, PPC

UAV Nat. Officer;                                                      Marian Boysiuk Chaplain & WO, PPC

Past Post Commanders:                                 Atanas T .Kobryn                         1999-2000

                                                                    Jerry Zinycz                                2000-2002

                                                                    Marian Bojsiuk                             2002-2006

                                                                    Ihor Hron                                    2006-2008

                                                                    Gener Tomashewsky                     2008-2011

 

Past National Commanders:                    Walter Shipka                               1949-1950

                                                                    Atanas T. Kobryn, PPC                1986-1988           

 

 

Biography of our patron            When Roman G. Lazor passed away on May 18, 2001, post members decided to honor him, first by giving him a full military funeral, and then by making him the post’s patron. Born September 23, 1929, in Ukraine, Mr. Lazor immigrated to the United States in 1948 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1949. A highly decorated combat veteran of the Korean War, Mr. Lazor subsequently earned a B.S. and M.S. degrees in geology from Temple University and worked for thirty years in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, from which he retired. Roman Lazor and his brother, Orestes, were two of the post’s original members, and Roman served as the post’s first Adjutant. Roman Lazor is survived by his wife, Chrystyna, a highly respected and active member of the local Ukrainian community, their son, Askold, their daughter, Bohdanna Fairchild, and grandchildren.

History of the Post:   By Karen Bapst, Ph.D, Post Adjutant
Atanas Kobryn, a Past National Commander of the UAV who had previously belonged to Post 7 in New York City, organized Post 40 in 1999. Mr. Kobryn requested the designation of “40” for the new post as a way of honoring its home City of North Port, which serves as the center of Southwest Florida’s Ukrainian American Community and which celebrated its 40th birthday in 1999.

The post held its first official meeting on April 30, 1999, in the clubroom of the Wm. A. Garvey VFW Post 8203. The post’s first members were Karen A. Bapst, Atanas T. Kobryn, Orestes S. Lazor, Roman G. Lazor, and Edward Rokisky. Although small, this group of four men and one woman reflected the diversity of the Ukrainian community, with representatives of various waves of immigration and generations, and with birthplaces in Ukraine, the United States and Canada. With such a small membership, it was necessary for each member to take an office.  

The 1999-2000 officers were:

• Commander Atanas Kobryn
• Adjutant Roman Lazor
• Finance Officer Edward Rokisky
• Judge Advocate Karen Bapst
• Chaplain/Service/Welfare Officer Orestes Lazor

The post celebrated its first Memorial day on May 31, 1999, by placing flags on the graves of veterans, sponsoring a Panakhyda at the Presentation of the Most Holy Mother of God (St. Mary’s) Ukrainian Catholic Church, to which members of the community and of other veterans’ organizations were invited, and then joining other local veterans’ posts and citizens for a ceremony at Veterans’ Park. The following November 11, the post observed its first Veterans’ Day in a similar manner. The post has continued to celebrate these two holidays annually, alternating the location of the Panakhyda services between St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church and St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Religious and Cultural Center. On Independence Day, July 4th, post members march in the North Port town parade.

On September 29, 2000, the post elected its 2000-2001 officers:

• Commander Jerry (Jaroslaw) G. Zinycz
• Vice Commander Marian Bojsiuk
• Adjutant Atanas Kobryn
• Finance Officer Edward Rokisky
• Judge Advocate Karen Bapst
• Chaplain Orestes Lazor
• Quartermaster Julian Helbig

On December 19, 2000, post members joined members of the Ukrainian-American club of Southwest Florida at Pelican Pointe Golf and Country Club in Venice for a holiday party, organized by the Club president and UAV member Karen Bapst, thereby establishing yet another of the post’s annual events.

At the 54th UAV convention, held October 12-14, 2001 at “Soyuzivka” in Kerhonkson, New York, Post 40 was represented by Marian Bojsiuk, William Drabyk, and Atanas Kobryn, who managed to secure the passage of an amendment to the national By-Laws providing for a “hot weather uniform”, which had been submitted by Post Judge Advocate Karen Bapst.

On November 10, 2001, Post 40 held its first annual Veterans’ Day dinner-dance at the parish hall of St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church. National Adjutant Peter Polnyj presented the post, which now included twenty-six members, with its charter, and presided over the installation of the post’s 2001-2002 officers:

• Commander Jerry G. Zinycz
• Vice Commander Marian Bojsiuk
• Adjutant Karen Bapst
• Finance Officer Arthur Berehulka
• Chaplin Orestes Lazor
• Judge Advocate and Historian Atanas Kobryn and
• Quartermaster Julian Helbig

Chrystyna Lazor, the widow of post patron Roman G. Lazor, was honored, and Vice Commander Marian Bojsiuk present Atanas Kobryn with a plaque “in recognition for outstanding contributions and achievements to the Ukrainian-American Community in North Port”. After the ceremonies, over 130 people enjoyed a delicious dinner organized by Mrs. Maria Ciko, followed by music and dancing.

It its first three years, UAV Post 40 accomplished a great deal, thanks, above all, to the outstanding leadership and hard work of its first two commanders, Atanas Kobryn and Jerry Zinycz. Starting with five members, it has grown to include over thirty and has become one of the most respected organizations in the local Ukrainian community. It has fulfilled its dual mission, serving as both a Ukrainian organization and an American veterans’ organization, and has thereby provided some much needed linkage between the ethnic community and the larger community. Having established a solid foundation, Post 40 looks forward to continuing its active role, to new members, and to new projects. Post 40 supports many charitable causes.

Current major projects:         

1. Planning to erect UAV Monument dedicated to all veterans at Venice Memorial Garden in Venice FL.  Currently the resting place for (6) USA Veterans.
2. Planning Officers Installation Diner Dance on November 13, 2010. This is an annual social event of the year and a fund raiser.  
   
3. Increase membership – 2 prospects  
   
4. Honor veterans on Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day with other veteran organizations in Veterans Memorial Park and on the water in North Port. FL                                   

Major accomplishments:                       

1999            Organization of Post in 1999 with 6 members.

No. 40 was chosen for our Post in honor of the City of North Port Celebrating 40^th Anniversary of Incorporation.  

Citizen of North Port respect Post #40 for our work and our commitment to the community.

                                                                       

2000             Began participation with other veterans organizations in honoring Veterans at Veterans Memorial Park in North Port on National Holidays (Memorial Day, Veterans Day) and 4^th.of July Parade.

As a UAV function in Ukrainian American Community on  Memorial Day and Veterans Day we place American and Ukrainian flags on graves of Veterans of USA and Ukrainian Veterans of WWII.

A Panakhyda is said on those Holidays for departed veterans in both Ukrainian Churches.  Post members provide Color Guard and attend services in full uniforms. Prior to Church Services UAV Members distribute RED WHITE AND BLUE lapel ribbons to church attendees.

 

2001            Post #40 grew to 26 members.

 We initiated a new event on Veterans Day by organizing first social event of the year in the Ukrainian American Community, “Post 40 New Officers Installation Diner Dance “and “Commanders Community Achievement Award”.  This award is presented to individuals in Ukrainian American Community for their achievements and support of national or local ideas. It is a highly successful fund raiser.

 We generously contribute the proceeds to the UAV Scholarship Fund and to the local High School “ROTC- NAVY“ Fund

 During our Diner Dance in November, we were presented with a UAV National Charter by Peter Polnyj, UAV National Adjutant.  For that occasion, we invited Officers of Ukrainian Armed Forces with their wives from McDill AF Base Central Command in Tampa FL. Great time was had by over 150 attendees.

 Post began to participate in Ukrainian Independence Day celebration by obtaining permission from the City Council of North Port to fly the Ukrainian flag.  We raise the Flag at the City Hall and Post Colors at the Ukrainian ‘Academia’ ceremony. 

 Charter Member Roman Lazor passed away; members of Post #40 provided his family with a full Military Funeral, and named him our Post Patron. Cpl. Roman G. Lazor, US Army-Korean War.

 During 54 UAV National Convention Post 40 Introduced proposal for Summer UAV Uniforms; motion was accepted. 

 Post members made a beautiful Post 40 flag which is used for all occasions.  Flag was made by Mr&Mrs. Bojsiuk and Mr & Mrs Petryk. 

 2004            To keep Post functioning properly A.Kobryn and our ByLaws Committee wrote Post  ByLaws in line with UAV National Bylaws.  

 2007             During our Annual Dinner Dance and Officers Installation ceremonies we were fortunate to host a special guest from Ukraine Mr.Yurij Shukhevych and his wife Lesia. He is the son of General “Chuprynka”, Commander of UPA during WWII.

2008    Post has now 36 members.

 We and six (6) other local veterans Posts formed “South Sarasota County Council  of Veterans Organizations”.  Together we honor Pearl Harbor Day.   We support each other in various activities.  

 By changing our Bylaws we allowed former members of “ DYVIZIA and UPA” to join our Post as a social members.

 2009            For the 50^th Anniversary Celebration Parade in North Port. Post members and Ukrainian American Club of SW Florida build a beautiful float and entered in parade competition.  Our float was awarded ”Best in Show”.  Ukrainian group was led by Post Color guard.  

 Post #40 Hosted the 62^nd. UAV National Convention and celebrated the Post #40 10^th Anniversary.  According to the delegates it was one of the best UAV Conventions. We are happy that the delegates enjoyed Florida

 For the past 10 years, Post #40 members attended every UAV Convention

 2010            US Central Command in Tampa and the Ukrainian Armed Forces Team invited UAV Post #40 and the Ukrainian American Club of SW Florida to participate in the Coalition International Night at MacDill Air Force Base.  Members from UAV and UAC helped Ukrainian Officers to present a Ukraine Table. Coalition members from 55 countries displayed native customs and traditional cuisine for all to sample.  Over 2000 people attended this event.

 Our Post now has 40 active members, several live in other States, they like our activities and chose to join our Post.  Minutes of the meetings and other communications are sent via e-mails to all members.  We also submit articles in The Ukrainian Weekly.

 Our members are:             WWII                                                Vietnam War

                                          Korean War                                    Middle East Conflicts

We have former ranks from: COLONELS to PFC.

We have former members: US ARMY, USAF, MARINES and COAST GUARD

We have a veteran of IWO JIMA Campaign.

We have two active duty members - one in US NAVY and one US ARMY, both are “LADIES”

 Some of our veterans were Carrier Soldiers. Some members also belong to other veterans organizations: VFW, AMERICAN LEGION, AMVETS, MARINE LEAGUE.

 Post 40 is listed in “BIVOUAC” Veterans News Inc. for SW Florida.  This magazine is available free of charge at VA Clinics and offices.  It covers information for Veterans for South West Florida.  

 In civilian Life our members are: Doctors, Dentists, Scientists (PhDs), Engineers, Business Owners, Law Enforcement, Machinist, Teachers, Councilors.

 

Welcome to UAV Post #40