Dedication of the Monuments- June 30, 2013

June 30, 2013

(article about this event is available in Ukrainian)

The following speech was given by Pavlo Bandriwsky – president of the CYM Chicago branch:

Reverend Fathers Oleh, Bohdan and Mykola, Distinguished Consul General Andriy Pravednyk, CYM National Board Chairman Andriy Bihun, President of Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Illinois Division Dr. Strilchuk, representatives of NGOs, all of our guests, dear CYM family. I welcome each of you with the Christian greeting: Glory to Jesus Christ! I add our CYM greeting: Hartuys!

Today we have gathered here on the CYM Oselia Beskyd in Baraboo, Wisconsin to participate in Holy Mass and bless the memorials dedicated to the eternal memory of four twentieth century heroes of Ukraine and the memorial commemorating the 30 June 1941 Act of Renewal of Ukrainian Independence. More than two years ago when we were preparing for the celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the purchase of our dear oselia we set as one of our goals to have this dedication and blessing because of its important historical and symbolic meaning to CYM. This would not be possible without the generous financial support of our many benefactors and we are very grateful for your contributions.

People my age, those older and some younger who were raised in the CYM organization are well aware of the purpose of CYM and the character of its initial founders.  The forefathers of CYM were members of OUN Banderivtsi and their supporters who developed a system to raise and develop youth to serve God and Ukraine.

Today’s holiday started with Holy Mass which reminds us of our dedication to God and our spiritual values. The four heroes’ memorials underscore our undying respect for four of Ukraine’s greatest sons, each who gave their life for her independence.

Symon Petliura, Chief Ottoman, President of the Ukrainian People’s Republic – was assassinated in Paris.

Colonel Eugene Konovalets, founder and leader of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists – was killed in Rotterdam.

Stepan Bandera, head of the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists during and after World War II – was assassinated in Munich.

General Shukhevych, chief commander of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army – died in the unequal battle with the forces of the NKVD in Ukraine after the Second World War.

Konovalets, Bandera, Shukhevych were all members of OUN. Including Petliura, all four were murdered by Russian Bolsheviks whose goal was to destroy Ukrainian freedom, suppress the Ukrainian independent nation, erase the distinct Ukrainian identity from the face of the earth and make Ukraine a part of greater Russia. We want our children who come here to camp, summer or winter, to know the history of our heroes. To understand why it was so important for them to sacrifice their lives so that Ukraine may one day be free. We want the parents of those children, those who were born in the Soviet Union, who were denied the right to learn about Ukraine’s true history and her heroes to know about persons who gave their lives for their homeland.

The memorial commemorating the 30 June 1941 Act of Renewal of Ukrainian Independence, generous donated by Dr. Myron Bodnar and his family in memory of their late father Lev Bodnar, the first Holova of our CYM Oseredok, also has a special significance. 72 years ago today, Yaroslav Stetsko, leading member of OUN, read the proclamation which renewed Ukraine’s independence first declared on 22 January 1918. Nazi officers hearing Stetsko’s proclamation declared that Ukraine will never have independence, thus extending Ukraine’s conflicts with two totalitarian regimes: Communists and Nazis, former partners, yet in the eyes of Ukraine still united through an identical ambition of conquering Ukraine.   

Over years, over decades and over centuries Ukraine has known the greatest sacrifices of her sons and daughters who dedicated themselves to the struggle for freedom. Unfortunately that struggle is not complete today. We have a nominally free and independent Ukraine; however she is not the independent Ukraine our heroes envisioned. Ukraine today is controlled by self-interested oligarchic clans who see her not as the beautiful homeland for Ukrainian people to enjoy, earn an honest livelihood and support development of the Ukrainian language, culture and nation. Instead it is viewed by those who support the current regime as an opportunistic territory to be exploited for their personal monetary gains and vicious lust for power.

History has shown that an unjust system cannot last in perpetuity. Eventually it will collapse just as those oppressive regimes failed which came before it. These monuments to our heroes which were blessed today will serve as inspirations to many generations that the battle for Ukraine’s place in the world as a truly free and independent nation, respectful of its heritage and traditions continues. We must rededicate ourselves to the purpose of our presence here today: to serve God and Ukraine. Our work is not done. We must serve as examples for our children and those yet to come so they honor and respect Ukraine’s heroes and help support the process of Ukraine’s nation building. Thank you for participating in today’s ceremonies and thank for your continued financial and moral support of CYM.

The honor of Ukraine! Ready to defend!

Glory to Ukraine! Glory to her heroes!

Pavlo Bandriwsky

30 June 2013

Oselia CYM “Beskyd”, Baraboo, WI

photos – Victoria Kawka