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“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ВЕРЕСЕНЬ 2015 WWW.UNWLA.ORG 11 Honoring Ukrainian American Veterans A History and an Invitation Ukrainian American World War I and World War II veterans established the Ukrainian American Veterans, Inc., in 1948. Membership is extended to men and women of Ukrainian de- scent who have honorably served in the United States Armed Forces. The organization has a long and interesting history, which is rooted in and strongly intertwined with the history of successive waves of Ukrainian immigrants. This year, the 68th UAV Annual National Convention and the UAV National Ladies Auxilia- ry Convention will be held in Somerset, New Jer- sey, from October 2-3, 2015. The convention will end with a ceremonial dedication of the UAV Na- tional Monument. The history of the monument is also tightly intertwined with the history of Ukrainian immigrants. In search of a better life, many Ukrainians immigrated to the United States, Canada, Brazil, and other countries at the end of 19th century. The wars and political turmoil of the 20th century brought new “waves” of people from Ukraine to the shores of the Americas, and especially to the United States of America. Immigration records did not identify these people as Ukrainians but as “nationals” of hostile countries occupying Ukrain- ian lands; they were invariably and inaccurately labeled mostly as Austrians, Poles, and Russians, and their own ethnic Ukrainian roots were ob- scured or dismissed. As part of the immigration process, these people pledged allegiance to their adopted coun- try and accepted the responsibilities that this en- tailed. For men, this included mandatory service in the American military. They answered the call when drafted, while others, including many Ukrainian American women, volunteered. Lack- ing freedom in the homeland they had left behind, they were willing to protect and fight for the free- dom, democracy, and human rights their new homeland extended to them. Many Ukrainian Americans made the ul- timate sacrifice, especially during World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars. It is estimated that more than 200,000 Ukrainian Americans served in World War II alone. Of these, we know of three World War II Medal of Honor recipients: Nicholas Minue, John W. Dudko, and Nicholas Oresko, each of whom hailed from New Jersey. The Medal of Honor is the highest military deco- ration for valor in combat. The President of the United States, in the name of the U.S. Congress, awards it. We also find WWII veteran, 1st LT Evelyn L Kowalchuk, an only US Army Air Corps flight nurse that air evacuated wounded from Normandy beaches on D-Day Plus 3. She was decorated with an Air Medal, ETO Ribbon, and American Theatre Ribbon. We are also aware of hundreds wounded soldiers who were recipients of the Purple Heart Medal, as well as other med- als, awards and citations. Among them highly decorated Major General Nicholas S. H. Krawciw, USA (Ret), who was seriously wounded in Vi- etnam. Today, a new wave of immigrants from Ukraine continues the tradition begun by the ear- lier immigrants and their American-born off- spring, but some important distinctions should be mentioned here. Since Ukraine proclaimed its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukrainian-born immigrants have come to this country bearing Ukrainian passports and are now accurately identified by ethnic origin. Even though the draft ended in 1973 and the United States converted to All-Volunteer Military, the Selective Service Registration is still in effect. Many of the new immigrants volunteer and serve in the US Armed Forces, engaged in a new and horrific conflict that threatens not only the United States of America but also the entire world. Since the September 11, 2001, attack on the USA, the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) has escalated, and American military forces, which include many individuals who are of Ukrainian ethnic origin, are now protecting our homeland and oth- er regions of the world impacted by this 21st cen- tury threat. And like the Ukrainian Americans who were killed in action during the wars and conflicts of the 20th century, some are dying; American soldiers are returning to the United States with terrible injuries sustained in combat; we do find Ukrainian Americans among them as well. Those who served long ago and those serving now deserve our gratitude and our re- spect; collectively and individually, they are the inspiration for the UAV National Monument. On October 21, 2004, the UAV National Monument Committee was formed and work be- gan. Erected on April 28, 2015, the UAV National Monument is a testament to foresight and deter- mination, all enhanced by support from the UAV
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