WEST HAVEN, Aug. 24, 2023 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, center, holds a bouquet and a certificate of appreciation from President Ann Salemme of the Ukrainian National Women’s League of America Branch 108, holding a mayoral proclamation, for Rossi’s support of Ukrainian Independence Day on Thursday, Aug. 24.
“The city of West Haven stands united with Ukrainians in commemorating their independence by lighting the Cove River pedestrian bridge in blue and yellow for a second year,” said Rossi, reading the proclamation before presenting it to Salemme, of West Haven, in the City Council chambers of City Hall.
Shown with Rossi and Salemme are, from left, Carl Harvey, a resident of Orange and the commander of Ukrainian American Veterans Post 33, and St. Michael the Archangel Ukrainian Catholic Church Choir members Mary Antonyshyn, of Orange, and Nadiya Ivantsiv, formerly of Lviv, Ukraine, and now of New Haven.
In 1991 the parliament of Ukraine proclaimed the nation’s independence, taking the first step toward establishing a free and democratic state.
“As Ukraine marks its 32nd anniversary of renewed independence today, Aug. 24, 2023, let us recommit ourselves to helping the Ukrainian nation to reclaim full sovereignty over its international borders and to remember its heroes who sacrificed their lives to ensure freedom and happiness for future generations,” Rossi said.
(City Photo/Killian M. Gruber)
