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НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Липень-Серпень 2023 23 Branch 56 member Christyna Bodnar Sheldon was in - spired to write this poem after meeting two critically injured Ukrainian soldiers who had been brought to the U.S. by Revived Soldiers Ukraine for rehabilitation and outfitting with state-of-the-art prosthetics (see our cover story in the June 2023 issue). “I walked away from this experience with tears flowing and with a deep sense of conflicting emotions – sadness at the cruelty of war, admiration for the bravery of Ukrainian soldiers, fear at the possibility of defeat for the country of my birth, opti - mism that with the help of the U.S., my adopted country, and other honorable nations, Ukraine would maintain the strength and resolution to be victorious in its battle for freedom and self-determination.” Ukrainian War Heroes I saw two stumps where Hands and wrists had been. The sinewy shape of the Upper arms revealed the slender Well-toned body of a mature man. Hair, short and grizzled brown, Head, bent as though in prayer, He sat straight in his wheelchair. The leg that was still there Bore livid scars along the knee, Pale naked skin to the ankle. The other muscular thigh Ended in a scarred stump That stopped above the knee. As I held back my tears At seeing such body devastation, I forced my choking throat to say, “Thank you for your sacrifice.” And then I saw a drop of liquid Fall from the bent silent head. His younger, bulkier companion Stood on one strong leg, using Two crutches to support himself. He seemed to smile as he Observed his other leg that was A piece of magical construction Of shiny metal springs connected by Dark rubbery joints that bent. I heard him say to someone, “I have just learned to walk, but soon I’ll run, and I’ll go back to fight.” Christyna Bodnar Sheldon Branch 56, North Port, FL, July 2, 2023 Branch 56 Organizes Annual Library Project Patricia Zalisko , Press Secretary, Branch 56, North Port, FL A display of Ukrainian crafts, embroidery, and tradition - al jewelry set up by Branch 56 member Yara Litosch at the William H. Jervey Public Library in Venice, FL. During the month of April, as they do each year, Branch 56 members set up displays of traditional Ukrainian artifacts and literature at Sarasota Coun - ty–area libraries. The goal of this project is to educate the public about Ukrainian culture and literature. Displays were set up at the following library branch - es by these Branch 56 members: William H. Jervey Public Library in Venice (Yara Litosch); North Port Library (Oksana Lew and Roma Guran); Elsie Quirk Public Library in Englewood (Ivanka Olesnycky and Ksenia Rakowsky); Fruitville Public Library in Saraso - ta (Roxolana Yarymovych); and the Selby Public Li - brary in Sarasota (Branch President Bohdana Puzyk). The Port Charlotte library branch was damaged during Hurricane Ian, and as a result, an April dis - play could not be arranged. However, the library featured a “Ukrainian Week” July 17-22, including a “Funky Egg Craft Day” on July 19. Children aged 4-12 were invited to participate by painting pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) with watercolors. Branch members Inna Tunstall and Lesia Popel agreed to help with the egg painting project and offered to read a book, The Mitten , to participating children. For more information about the annual displays or the Port Charlotte Library Branch event, please contact committee chairperson Slava Stefanyshyn at slavastef@yahoo.com.
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