BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Since the 1950s, the local branch of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America has organized the annual celebration of Ukrainian Independence Day at City Hall in Binghamton, N.Y., with a flag-raising ceremony. Originally, the anniversary date celebrated was January 22, 1918, but since the re-establishment of Ukraine’s independence in 1991, Ukrainian Independence Day has been marked on August 24.
Stephan Wasylko emceed this year’s program , and he opened by introducing the Rev. Teodor Czabala, pastor of Sacred Heart Ukrainian Catholic Church, and the Rev. Ivan Synevsky of St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Orthodox Church to deliver remarks and prayers. The pastors reminded all of the power of prayer and called for support for the wounded and the families of Ukrainians killed while defending Ukraine against the Russian aggressor.