With the chiming of church bells of St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, NJ began this year’s prayerful observance of Memorial Day at the spiritual center of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA on May 27, 2019.

Several priests from the area, parishioners of various Orthodox and Catholic communities of the immediate Somerset County/Franklin Township area, along with numerous veterans of the US armed forces gathered around  the newly blessed and dedicated memorial to the fallen heroes – Ukrainian-American Veterans Monument in order to offer prayers for those that sacrificed their lives in the service of our nation.

Metropolitan Antony led the Memorial service, while the faithful in attendance chanted prayerful responses.His Eminence explained that on Memorial Day we remember our fallen Veterans in the name of freedom, and the many Ukrainian Americans that have served the cause of defending Freedom.

“Memorial Day is a time to remember those who kept the faith and died in service to our country...It is our duty as Americans to praise their sacrifice, to bless their memories, to pray for their eternal repose, and to thank God for the freedom they preserve for us.” - Metropolitan Antony stated in his remarks following the conclusion of the Memorial Panakhyda.

Metropolitan Antony presented a wreath with the assistance of Michael Fedirko, Post 6 Commander and World War II Veteran.

Then Michael Hrycak, New Jersey Department Commander, thanked all those in attendance and also noted that in Ukraine three days earlier Heroes of Armed Forces had also been remembered.