South Bound Brook, NJ - On a day filled with sacred remembrance and profound gratitude, the Ukrainian American Veterans (UAV) gathered at the Spiritual Center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA - often called the “Ukrainian Jerusalem” - for their Annual National Convention and to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Ukrainian American Veterans National Monument.

The solemn and celebratory event united faith, patriotism, and gratitude on the sacred grounds of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church, where generations of the Ukrainian faithful have prayed for the souls of those who gave their lives for freedom, faith, and their ancestral homeland.

Despite the day’s relentless autumn rain, the spirit of unity and reverence shone brightly within the holy temple. The Prayer Service for the living veterans and a Memorial Litany for the fallen heroes and departed veterans was celebrated inside St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church, a site that itself stands as a memorial to the millions of victims of the Holodomor - the genocidal famine of 1932–33 in Ukraine.

Presiding over the prayer service were His Eminence Metropolitan Antony, Prime Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, and His Eminence Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and His Eminence Archbishop Daniel, Consistory President and Ruling Hierarch of the Western Eparchy of the UOC of the USA. They were joined in prayer by His Excellency Andriy Melnyk, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations; veterans and their families; clergy; seminarians; and the faithful.

The unity of hierarchs, clergy, and laity reflected the spiritual brotherhood that binds all Ukrainians - in America, in Ukraine, and across the world - in the common mission of faith and freedom.

Following the solemn service, the hierarchs and participants processed reverently to the Ukrainian American Veterans National Monument, braving the rain that fell gently upon the sacred grounds. Umbrellas were lowered as the faithful stood in silent respect, their hearts warmed by gratitude and pride.

There, amid the rows of monuments that tell the story of a people’s endurance, Metropolitan Antony offered heartfelt words of thanksgiving to the men and women of Ukrainian descent who have served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

“This monument,” His Eminence said, “stands not only as a tribute to those who wore the uniform of this nation, but also as a bridge between generations - uniting the memory of those who served in foreign wars with the unyielding spirit of those now defending the freedom of Ukraine. It proclaims that the love of one’s homeland and the service to one’s neighbor are sacred duties born of faith.”

Metropolitan Antony, joined by Metropolitan Borys and Archbishop Daniel, offered prayers for all departed veterans - for those who had fallen in battle, those who returned home to build and serve, and those who even now continue to defend Ukraine’s right to live in peace and dignity.

The establishment of the Ukrainian American Veterans National Monument a decade ago marked a historic milestone in the life of the Ukrainian-American community. Built through the tireless efforts of the UAV, clergy, and faithful, and dedicated on the grounds of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, it stands as a lasting reminder that freedom is preserved only through courage and sacrifice.

Each name, each engraved symbol on the monument, speaks of service - of sons and daughters of Ukrainian heritage who, while deeply rooted in the faith and traditions of their ancestors, offered their loyalty and devotion to their adopted homeland, the United States of America. Their valor echoes the same unbreakable resolve of those defending Ukraine’s sovereignty today.

Archbishop Daniel, himself a United States Army chaplain and proud bearer of the Ukrainian American Veterans insignia, reflected movingly on this sacred bond of service:

“To serve one’s nation is to serve humanity. Every soldier who stands guard, every veteran who remembers, and every family who prays is part of God’s divine plan for peace. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to transform our strength into mercy, our courage into compassion, and our victories into gratitude before the Lord.”

His words deeply resonated with the assembled veterans and faithful, reminding all that their vocation to serve - whether in the military, the Church, or family life - is a sacred calling blessed by God.

Later that evening, the hierarchs joined the Ukrainian American Veterans and their families at a festive banquet held in the Ukrainian Cultural Center, adjacent to the Memorial Church. The room was filled with joy, patriotic pride, and the bonds of shared memory. Flags of Ukraine and the United States stood side by side, symbolizing two nations united by the values of liberty, dignity, and faith.

Expressions of gratitude were offered to the UAV National Commander and Convention Planning Committee, whose dedication ensured a gathering worthy of the veterans’ noble mission. Metropolitan Antony and Archbishop Daniel extended the blessings of the Church, while Ambassador Melnyk spoke passionately of Ukraine’s current struggle for freedom, drawing a direct line between the courage of past generations and the resilience of Ukraine’s defenders today.

The 10th Anniversary of the Ukrainian American Veterans National Monument was more than a commemoration - it was a living witness to the truth that faith and patriotism are not separate paths, but one shared journey toward God and goodness.

Through prayer, memory, and thanksgiving, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA and the Ukrainian American Veterans together renewed their pledge: to uphold the dignity of every human being, to stand for peace and justice, and to ensure that the sacrifices of heroes - both past and present - are never forgotten.

As the final words of the day echoed through the cultural center “God Bless America” -  the sacred grounds of South Bound Brook once again became a place where heaven and earth met in prayer, where gratitude became grace, and where the love of faith and homeland stood as one.