2025 Annual Convention
The 78th annual UAV National Convention was held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset, New Jersey, Thursday-Saturday, October 9-10-11, 2025. The 2025 convention was hosted by UAV Post 17. Please share information about the convention with your fellow veterans, friends, and businesses.
Post 17 Commander’s Welcome
On behalf of Post 17 and our Convention Committee, welcome to the 78th Annual National Convention. During the convention, we will commemorate the 10th Anniversary of our National Monument at St. Andrew’s Ukrainian Cemetery in South Bound Brook, New Jersey. This cemetery is an appropriate location for our monument because it honors the military legacy of those who served in the United States Armed Forces and are buried here, while also in the embrace of our fellow warriors who originated from across the ocean. Among the many soldiers who lie in repose here are those who, not only fought for American freedom but also Ukrainian freedom, and some fought for both. I look forward to seeing you this October!
Registration Fee
Please note that all convention attendees must pay a $10 registration fee. In addition, each post must pay $20. These fees help offset the cost of the meetings.
The registration fee must be paid when you check in at the convention registration desk.
Please pay by check or cash only. We cannot accept credit card payments at the convention.
Hotel Reservations
Delta Hotels by Marriott Somerset
110 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873
Marriott Central Reservations: 1-888-795-7553
www.marriott.com
The UAV has negotiated a special rate of $95 per night. Please call and request the “Ukrainian American Veterans Block” to get the special group rate. Reserve rooms before Tuesday, 9 September 2025 to get the special rate.
Deadlines
Lodging. Reserve rooms before Tuesday, 9 September 2025.
Advertising. All advertising and booster orders must be received before Saturday, 27 September 2025.
Banquet. The banquet reservation deadline is Wednesday, 1 October 2025.
Location
All events will be held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center.
Ukrainian Cultural Center
135 Davidson Ave.
Somerset, NJ 08873
www.uocofusa.org/cultural_center
consistory@uocofusa.org
732-356-0090
Directions to Somerset, NJ
The nearest airport to Somerset is Newark (EWR) Airport which is 33 miles away. Other nearby airports include LaGuardia (LGA) (50 miles) and Philadelphia (PHL) (70 miles).
Dress Code
The dress code for all convention meetings is the UAV class “A” uniform. The official UAV class “A” uniform consists of
- UAV veteran cap
- white shirt with UAV navy blue necktie
- grey trousers/skirt
- solid black socks and black footwear
- navy blue blazer with brass buttons and UAV emblem on the lapel pocket
Please visit the UAV Quartermaster Store to purchase any required uniform items. Items like veteran caps have a long lead time, so please place your orders at least 60 days before the convention.
Annual Convention Agenda
Thursday, 9 October 2025
Meet and Greet
Meet and Greet is open to all UAV Members and guests (Casual Dress). Hot and cold appetizers will be available.
Time: 18:30
Place: Delta Hotel by Marriott, 110 Davidson Avenue, Somerset, NJ 08873
Friday, 10 October 2025
General Meeting for Members and Delegates
Place: Ukrainian Cultural Center
Uniform: Class “A” Uniform
8:00am – 10:00am Registration by UAV National Ladies Auxiliary at Ukrainian Cultural Center
9:00am – 12:30am Morning Sessions-Ukrainian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ
- Opening Ceremonies – National Commander Michael P. Hrycak
- Prayer – National Chaplain designate (TBD)
- Roll Call – National Adjutant Mark Datzkiwsky:
UAV National Executive Board Officers
UAV Past National Commanders
UAV State Commanders
UAV Post Commanders - Delegates Registration Report – Oksana Koziak, UAV NLA President
- Quorum verification – Bohdan Hetmansky, Judge Advocate, PNC
- Minutes of the 77 th National Convention (26-28 September 2024, Warren, MI) Mark Datzkiwsky,
National Adjutant - FINANCIAL AND ACTIVITY REPORTS
Finance Officer – Peter Bencak, PNC
Quartermaster – Stephen Kostecki
Welfare Officer – Roman Stefaniuk
Scholarship Officer – Nicholas Skirka
National Monument Officer Financials – BG Leonid Kondratiuk, PNC
Discussion after each report
12:30pm – 1:30pm LUNCH (Joe’s Meat Market – cash)
1:30pm – 4:30pm Afternoon Sessions-Ukrainian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Ave., Somerset, NJ
- ACTIVITY REPORTS
National Commander – Michael P. Hrycak
Vice Commander – Roman Makuch
Judge Advocate – Bohdan Hetmansky
Chaplain/Service Officer – Rev. Dr. Ivan Kaszczak
Historian – Edward A. Zetick, PNC
PR/Publications Officer – Bohdan Dudych
Webmaster – Joe Nasevich
UAV National Monument Officer – BG Leonid Kondratiuk, PNC
UAV State Commanders – Michael J. Dobriansky (NY), Ihor B. Rudko, IPNC (CT), Michael P. Hrycak (NJ)
National Adjutant – Mark Datzkiwsky
UAV Post Commanders – Post #1 to #301 - ACCEPTANCE OF ALL REPORTS UNDER ITEM 8.
4:30 – 5:00pm National Commander: Assignment of Committee Members/Committee Sessions
5:30 –7:30pm Light Hors d’Oeuvres and Social – St. Andrew’s Reception Center (near Church)
7:30 pm–to ?? Hospitality Room, TBD
Saturday, 11 October 2025
General Meeting for Members and Delegates
Place: Ukrainian Cultural Center
Uniform: Class “A” Uniform
7:00am – 8:30am Breakfast – bagels/coffee- Ukrainian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Ave.,
Somerset, NJ
8:00am – 9:00am Late Registration by UAV National Ladies Auxiliary at Ukrainian Cultural Center
8:30am – 1:00 PM 10. Morning Sessions- Ukrainian Cultural Center, 135 Davidson Ave.,
Somerset (Class “A” Uniform)
8:30am-10:00 AM Committee breakout sessions
10:00am-1:00PM 11. COMMITTEE REPORTS 2024 Convention 2025 Convention
Resolutions – Roman Makuch
Membership – William Szozda
Finance & Auditing – Peter Bencak, PNC
Chaplain/Service Officer – TBD
Welfare Officer – Roman Stefaniuk
Scholarship – Nicholas Skirka
Election Committee – Edward A. Zetick
PR/Publications Officer – Bohdan Dudych
UAV Website – Joe Nasevich
Quartermaster – Stephen Kostecki
UAV ByLaws – Bohdan Hetmansky
79th Convention – Mathew Koziak
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM CLOSING PRAYER -National Chaplain Designate
CLOSING OF THE 78 TH NATIONAL CONVENTION – National Commander Michael P. Hrycak
1:30-2:30 pm Lunch (TBD)
1:30-3:00 pm :Historical Cemetery Tour- Peter Paluch
2:30 PM Movement to Assembly Area near National Monument in the St. Andrews Cemetery, 280 Main
Street So. Bound Brook, NJ
2:45 PM All UAV Formations and Color Guards Assemble in vicinity of Monument (IAW Monument
Committee Program/Plan)
3:00-3:30 PM UAV National Monument Blessing and Dedication at UOC of USA
In accordance with (IAW) Monument Committee Program/Plan (Class “A” Uniform)
5:00 pm – Cocktail Hour (Open Bar) : Ukrainian Cultural Center
6:00 pm – 78th UAV NATIONAL CONVENTION Banquet –Dinner Dance – Ukrainian Cultural Center
Activities for Spouses and Guests
TBD
Banquet
Saturday, 11 October 2025
The cocktail hour starts at 5:00 pm. The Convention Banquet starts at 18:00.
Ukrainian Cultural Center
135 Davidson Ave.
Somerset, NJ 08873
Price. $120 per person. Make checks payable to UAV Post 17.
Speakers: Victor Rud, Esq. – Keynote- Defeating Ourselves Instead of Russia;
Dr. Andrii Melnyk, Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Nations Permanent Mission, PNC
Entertainment – Bandurist Oksana Telepko/Accordionist Walter Syzonenko
Banquet reservations are due by Wednesday, 1 October. Please send your check together with the completed banquet reservation form to:
UAV 78th Convention Banquet
UAV Post 17
84 East Van Ness Ave.
Rutherford NJ 07070
Advertisements
Journal advertisements range from $500 for a full-page color ad to $25 for a business-card ad. Boosters cost $10 per name. UAV members received convention advertising information in the June 2025 issue of the UAV Tribune.
Deadline: The deadline to place an ad in the convention journal is Saturday, 27 September 2025.
Please contact Bohdan Dudycz at 847-825-1717, uavpublicity@gmail.com.
Changes to the UAV Constitution and Bylaws
Proposed changes to the UAV Constitution and Bylaws should be submitted to the National Judge Advocate at least 60 days prior to the upcoming Annual Convention. The National Judge Advocate presents the proposals to the Constitution and By-Laws Committee of the National Convention for discussion, and if merited, presents them to the delegates of the Convention for a vote. Amendments submitted by the Constitution and By-Laws Committee require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the delegates present for adoption. If a change is presented at the Convention, then it must be approved unanimously by the registered delegates present at the convention for adoption.
Questions:
The 2025convention will be hosted by UAV Post 17, Passaic, NJ.
Advertisements: Please contact Bohdan Dudycz at 847-825-1717, uavpublicity@gmail.com.
Bohdan Dudycz
Publication Officer
8433 N. Clifton Ave
Niles, IL 60714
847-825-1717
uavpublicity@gmail.com
Jim Fedorko
Convention Chairman
84 East Van Ness Ave.
Rutherford NJ 07070
551-238-9590
fedorko_15003@yahoo.com