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НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ • Серпень 2025 25 Branch 108 Celebrates Vyshyvanka Day For Branch 108 in New Haven, celebrating Vyshyvanka Day has become a tradition. Every year, branch mem - bers gather for lunch at a busy restaurant wearing vi - brant embroidered shirts, promoting our culture. This year’s celebration was especially meaningful because our guest at the lunch held at Gusto Trat - toria in Milford, CT, was Bettina Braisted, a crafts - woman from Madison, CT, who made a Ukrainian flag for the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelen - sky, and presented it to Natalie Pawlenko, President of the UNWLA. On May 15, the flag was ceremoni - ously presented to Nataliia Musiienko of the Consu - late General of Ukraine in New York. Since the start of russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, Ms. Braisted has been deeply moved by the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people. She was especially struck by the fact that more than 75,000 Ukrainian women serve in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including medical personnel on the front lines. As the owner of the flag-making company The Sailbag Lady (https://sailbaglady.com), Ms. Braist - ed has donated 45% of the profits from Ukrainian flag sales to humanitarian aid efforts through the UNWLA since the start of the full-scale invasion. As she nears the end of her company’s opera - tions, Ms. Braisted decided to honor the President of Ukraine with a gift — a large Ukrainian flag meas - uring 10 by 15 feet. This gesture is her act of deep support and a message of hope, solidarity, and be - lief in victory. She looks forward to the day when the blue-and-gold flag will again fly over a peaceful, free, and sovereign Ukraine. Ms. Braisted joined our branch’s lunch to share her experience and, that very day, continued on to The Ukrainian Museum in New York City to meet with the leadership of the UNWLA and present the flag. She was accompanied by Jennifer Bennett, who will be the new owner of The Sailbag Lady — a woman who also stands with Ukraine in her heart. At the Vyshyvanka Day lunch, 22 members of our branch were present, along with two young candi - dates, Stephania and Melania Korenovsky — the third generation of UNWLA members in our branch. Their grandmother, Orysia Yanovski, is a long-time active member, and their mother is Natalia Cher - mak. The celebration was extraordinarily festive. Another important branch celebration took place on June 1, when members gathered with parishion - ers and students of the Ukrainian School at St. Mi - chael’s Church to mark Children’s Day. Natalia Chermak , Press Officer, Branch 108, New Haven, CT Branch 108’s celebration of Children’s Day. Our branch vice president, Ann Salemme, ad - dressed the children with a beautiful speech about the children of Ukraine, who are now facing the ter - rible challenges of war in their homeland. Her words were followed by remarks from Myron Melnyk, long- time former director of the Ukrainian School, and a spiritual address by Father Iuriy, who led a touching prayer written specifically for Children’s Day. He re - minded everyone to pray for the children who suffer from the unjust war or who have been kidnapped and taken to russia without their parents. Lastly, our branch recognizes the birthdays of two long-standing and tireless members. In June, Irena Hladka celebrated her 97th birthday — our honorary oldest member, who not long ago donat - ed $500 to our branch. Last year, our tireless, long- time press officer, Maria Antonyshyn, celebrated her 90th birthday! Thank you, our dear members — wishing you Many, Many Blessed Years! Three generations of Branch 108: Stephania & Melania Korenovsky, Orysia Yanovski, and Natalia Chermak, with Bettina Braisted (at right).
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