Show of gratitude months in making
Ukrainian-Canadian group thanks Edmonton-based troops for service
Edmonton’s Ukrainian-Canadian community took to the kitchen Monday night to thank local troops who returned from deployment in the war-torn European country last fall.
Dozens of local soldiers returned in September and October from Operation Unifier, a Canadian Forces mission to train the Ukrainian military as it battles Russianbacked separatists in the eastern part of the country.
Since then, members of Edmonton’s Ukrainian community have been working with the Canadian Forces to organize a thank-you banquet for the soldiers.
“We thought it was very important to say thank you, and to show them our Ukrainian hospitality here in Alberta,” said Olesia Luciw Andryjowycz, president of the Alberta Provincial Council of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
In December, the war in Ukraine became Europe’s longest armed conflict since the Second World War. It started in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and escalated into armed separatist movements in the country’s eastern regions.
Canada began training Ukrainian troops in 2015 and has committed to Operation Unifier until the end of March 2019.
Canada’s troops have “mainly” been from the 3rd Canadian Division, headquartered in Edmonton, according to a government website.
Slavka Shulakewych, provincial coordinator with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, said this is the first time they ’ve held a thankyou meal for returning troops. They’d been working with the military to schedule the dinner for around six months.
“I know it’s tough being away from family and training another country’s military, but we much appreciate (their) work and (their) help in (making Ukraine) one more step closer to a democratic country and a country that can defend itself,” she said.
Monday’s event featured a dinner with perogies, kielbasa and cabbage rolls, and performances by the Cheremshyna Dancers, the Verkhovyna School of Dance and the Verkhovyna choir.
Andryjowycz and Shulakewych were both born in Canada, but maintain ties to Ukraine. Andryjowycz’s parents immigrated to Canada after the Second World War. Shulakewych’s son had his wedding in Ukraine. On a recent visit, Shulakewych was struck by the calm in the peaceful parts of the country.
“We were out there this summer, and everybody goes to the coffee shop ... and tries to keep a (stiff) upper lip, and for the most part 95 per cent of Ukraine is normal,” she said.
She’s seen the other five per cent, helping the Canada Ukraine Foundation organize doctor exchanges and raise funds for prosthetics for people injured in the fighting.
Cpl. Ethan Fulljames with Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians) was one of around 75 Canadian soldiers to attend Monday’s dinner. He did two rotations in Ukraine, returning most recently last spring.
“It’s nice that the community here is recognizing that Canadian soldiers have gone over,” he said.