Ukrainians rejoice tradition, historical past at annual pageant | Hanover Eagle Information | newjerseyhills.com – New Jersey Hills

This yr, native Ukrainians have to consider their brothers and sisters who don’t have the power to be celebrating and peacefully strolling round like the kids in attendance have been, as they didn’t have to fret about one thing falling from the sky, Vaskul mentioned.

“So we rejoice this with duty as a result of we can’t be preventing, however that is our cultural conflict,” Vaskul mentioned. “They tried to destroy our tradition, however we’re right here. We’re right here for everyone to see we’re a peaceable, hardworking, compassionate individuals who need to be a democratic nation.”

The festivities included the enjoying of the bandura, a 58-string instrument performed by Morristown resident Oksana Telepko, a deacon at St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whippany, and her twin sister who arrived from the western Ukrainian metropolis of Lviv in June along with her daughter.

There have been additionally dozens of distributors promoting artwork, meals and different objects to assist Ukraine indirectly; these included a gaggle who makes jewellery, magnets and different knick knacks.

Among the many children promoting jewellery to folks strolling into the car parking zone was six-year-old Nikita Medved who lately moved to East Hanover from Ukraine.

The jewelers have been supporting just a few causes this time, together with the Ukrainian American Youth Affiliation.

The group was additionally elevating cash for winter garments for 2 entrance line troopers who’re the brother and father of Denville resident Julia Fatula; her brother is in japanese Ukraine, and her father is within the south.

Fatula mentioned they’re each in locations the place Russians are attacking probably the most.

She additionally mentioned that over the previous few months, she’s been making an attempt to do as a lot as doable. Folks throughout the native Ukrainian neighborhood have their common routines daily, however daily they’re serious about how they will assist their family members.

“I’m simply glad to say that for now, it’s because it was up to now, so nothing has modified,” Fatula mentioned about her brother and father. “However on one aspect that’s good, however on the opposite aspect, it’s unlucky as a result of we would like them to be dwelling; we would like them to be in a secure place. However they’re nonetheless in a conflict; they’re nonetheless proper there; they’re nonetheless within the crimson zones.”

After some singing and dancing, the Rev. Father Stepan Bilyk of St. John the Baptist mentioned a prayer praying for associates of Ukraine who’ve prolonged their hand to avoid wasting Ukrainians from loss of life and extinction throughout this tough time of conflict and struggling brought on by evil, particularly the Russian authorities.

UACC board member and Cedar Knolls resident Jerry Kuzemcak then launched a number of elected officers onto the stage; he advised the folks within the crowd to not overlook who was on the stage after they vote.

“Girls and gents, you need to be pleased with these people,” Kuzemcak mentioned. “Not solely are they right here in the present day, however they know the Ukrainian trigger. That’s why they’re supporting us. That’s why they’re sporting the Ukrainian shirts. Every certainly one of these members has been in our neighborhood many occasions. They’re totally conscious of what’s going on proper now with the conflict.”

Amongst these on stage have been Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, D-11; state Sen. Anthony Bucco, R-Morris; state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn, R-Morris; state Sen. Joseph Pennacchio, R-Morris; Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling; Morris County Sheriff James Gannon and Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi.

Additionally on stage have been Morris County Commissioners Deborah Smith, John Krickus and Tom Mastrangelo. In attendance from Hanover’s native authorities have been Mayor John Ferramosca, Deputy Mayor Thomas “Ace” Gallagher and Committeemen Brian Cahill and Ronald Francioli.

Krickus talked about how officers from the Morris County Sheriff’s Workplace, Prosecutor’s Workplace and Board of County Commissioners donated 100 bulletproof vests to the Ukrainian navy by means of the UACC Wednesday, Aug. 24, Ukraine’s independence day.

Krickus additionally introduced up how he was at St. John the Baptist Thursday, Feb. 24, the primary day of the Russian invasion, and he recalled Telepko’s “stunning singing.”

Sherrill introduced up how an M777 howitzer artillery piece was on the occasion; these have been developed at Picatinny Arsenal, and a number of other members of the arsenal are in Poland coaching Ukrainian forces proper now, Sherrill mentioned.

Sherrill additionally recalled her July journey to Ukraine the place she advised President Volodymyr Zelensky that she wished to move on the love and assist that Ukraine has from New Jersey.

“I can’t let you know how arduous individuals are working to assist you,” Sherrill mentioned. “And in order we sit right here in the present day, as we collect to consider all of the Ukrainians who’re preventing in the present day, not only for Ukrainian democracy and freedom, however for democracy and freedom internationally. I simply need to thank all of you for every thing you do to assist that effort.”

Sen. Bucco mentioned as he was moved as he walked into the UACC that day and noticed an indication that learn, “I assumed I knew bravery, after which, I met Ukraine.”

“I’m satisfied that Ukraine goes to win this conflict as a result of as has been mentioned, God is on Ukraine’s aspect,” Bucco mentioned. “And I sit up for the day after we might be right here and rejoice a peaceable and free Ukraine.”

Mayor Ferramosca inspired these in attendance to purchase one of many many “Stand With Ukraine” garden indicators that have been on the market that day.

“Good versus evil, that is what that is all about,” Ferramosca mentioned. “The sunshine of Ukraine and the folks of the world will overcome the darkness of Putin. Ukraine shall be victorious. We stand with Ukraine; we assist Ukraine, and we ask you to show your assist for Ukraine as properly.”

Within the Social Membership bar throughout the UACC, attendees ate pig ears and smoked cheese, drank and watched sports activities.

Amongst these on the bar have been former Randolph Mayor Roman Hirniak, a Ukrainian who mingled with folks together with Republican Congressional candidate Paul DeGroot who’s operating towards Sherrill within the eleventh Congressional District.

Hirniak mentioned the turnout from the non-Ukrainian neighborhood is reinvigorating.

“We achieve this many issues to assist Ukraine, and the power for us to have the ability to rely on our non-Ukrainian brothers and sisters to affix us in that effort, in the present day is a superb instance of how particular that’s,” Hirniak mentioned.

DeGroot mentioned the folks on the UACC are pleasant, and he was being launched to many nice Ukrainian folks.

He additionally mentioned he was trying ahead to assembly as many individuals as he can.

“That is what I have to do; that is what I need to do,” DeGroot mentioned. “I need to hear what’s happening of their lives.

“I do know what’s happening within the Ukrainian society, and it’s a travesty what’s taking place abroad. Russia is the aggressor. Russia is definitely the enemy that we should always have been taking a look at earlier than, and once I’m elected to U.S. Congress, Ukraine’s going to have each doable weapon that they will to have the ability to defend themselves and take again the nation that they’ve misplaced years in the past with Crimea.”

After the elected officers spoke, the music and dancing bought began once more; amongst these listening have been Parsippany resident Oksana Kotliar, a librarian on the Morris County Library in Cedar Knolls, and her mom Zoya Matula who got here to dwell along with her in March after leaving the central Ukrainian metropolis of Kryvyi Rih.

Matula traveled to Lviv by evening on a bus with no lights and stayed with associates for just a few nights earlier than taking one other bus to the Polish capital of Warsaw.

Matula couldn’t get a ticket, so she stayed in a Marriott for 3 days after Kotliar referred to as the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw for assist. After that, Kotliar was lastly capable of get her mom a ticket to John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport, the place Kotliar and her daughter met Matula.

Matula has unhealthy knees and may’t stroll with no walker, and he or she wants two day by day insulin injections to deal with her diabetes. She didn’t convey any baggage, solely her passport in just a little pouch round her neck, Kotliar mentioned.

“It was horrible,” Kotliar mentioned. I used to be on the cellphone along with her the entire time, and I couldn’t assist her. I couldn’t be bodily there, so I needed to coordinate every thing over the cellphone.”

Matula has been on YouTube all day studying English since arriving. Kotliar mentioned it’s been difficult since Matula doesn’t have medical health insurance.

“I’ve a mountain of paperwork to get her inexperienced card, and every thing prices some huge cash,” Kotliar mentioned. “And I’m only a librarian, so I’m probably not that wealthy. So it’s very difficult, however we’re getting there. It’s crucial half that she is secure from shelling and loss of life.”

The occasion was chaired by Social Membership supervisor and UACC board member Michael Halibej, a Cedar Knolls resident.

“We’re blessed to have such a dynamic, hard-working neighborhood,” Halibej mentioned. “With the households with dad and mom, grandparents, kids and prolonged household working collectively, we’re engaging in wonderful issues. We’re all coming collectively, constructing a particular bond.”