Ukrainian Heritage Park Ribbon Cutting and Dedication
Parma, Ohio - September 24, 2011
The Ukrainian-American community and the city of Parma dedicated the Ukrainian Heritage Park on September 24, 2011. The Park is on State Road across from St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral, 5720 State Road. The event began with a parade and celebration in Parma's Ukrainian Village.
If you can identify any of the people or groups in these photos, please let us know and we will update.
Roman Fedkiw, Ukrainian Village Committee Chairman
Roman Fedkiw, Ukrainian Village Committee Chairman welcomed the crowd (in English) to the opening of Ukrainian Heritage Park. Zoriana Zobniw, Secretary, then spoke in Ukrainian.
The Ukrainian American Veterans Post 24 served as Color Guard for the national anthems of the US and Ukraine.
His Eminence Archbishop Antoniy, Bishop of the Eastern Eparchy and President of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, USA and Fr. Michael Kulick, Cathedral Rector of St. Josaphat Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral offer an opening prayer.
Zoriana Zobniw, Ukrainian Village Committee Secretary, reads a letter from Most Reverend John Bura, Apostolic Administrator of Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of St. Josaphat in Parma.
Roman Fedkiw, Ukrainian Village Committee Chairman, gave background on the new Ukrainian Heritage Park.
Parma Mayor Dean DePiero spoke at the new Ukrainian Heritage Park in Parma. Mayor DePiero called Ukrainians "the bedrock of the community."
Parma Mayor Dean DePiero
Then Mr. Ihor Diaczyn, President of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio, spoke in English and Ukrainian.
Ihor Diaczyn, President of the United Ukrainian Organizations of Ohio
Congressman Dennis Kucinich spoke next.
Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Roman Fedkiw accepts proclamation from Congressman Dennis Kucinich
Ohio State Representative Tim DeGeeter spoke next.
Ohio State Representative Tim DeGeeter
Roman Fedkiw with proclamation from Ohio State Representative Tim DeGeeter
Then Congressman Dennis Kucinich, Ohio State Representative Tim DeGeeter, Ihor Diaczyn and Roman Fedkiw assisted Parma Mayor Dean DePiero in cutting the ribbon to officially open the new Ukrainian Heritage Park in Parma.
Before the crowds left for the St Josaphat Festival, Diana Prodan and Andrea Komichak led them in singing God Bless America.
The support from the Churches was evident on State Rd.
St Francis de Sales
St Vladimir
St Josaphat
Enjoy these other images from the Ukrainian Heritage Park ceremony.
Holding the ribbon for the ceremony
Ukrainian Clergy with Congressman Kucinich and Mayor DePiero
