Photo courtesy of the National University of Ostroh Academy

The state award “for assistance to the military” from the Armed Forces of Ukraine Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi was presented to President and CEO of the Ukrainian National Association Roman B. Hirniak.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Ukrainian National Association President and Chief Executive Officer Roman B. Hirniak received a state award from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi. The award was presented by Prof. Eduard Balashov, rector’s assistant for international relations and fundraising at the National University of Ostroh Academy.

Mr. Balashov, in a letter to Mr. Hirniak, wrote: “We all thank you personally for your longstanding and selfless support of Ukraine, the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National University of Ostroh Academy! We sincerely hope and believe in a quick victory over the enemy, and we will be happy to welcome you personally to the halls of Ostroh Academy and solemnly present you with this award from the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Mr. Hirniak accepted the award on behalf of the Ukrainian National Association, which since its founding in 1894 continues to support Ukrainians in their homeland.

“It is indeed a great honor for me to receive this distinguished award and on behalf of the entire Ukrainian National Association I humbly accept it,” Mr. Hirniak said. “I sincerely hope that I will soon have the opportunity to visit the Ostroh Academy in person.”

The National University of Ostroh Academy is located in Ostroh, a city in western Ukraine. Founded in 1576, the university is considered to be the first institution of higher education on the territory of present-day Ukraine.

The award, dated January 19, 2023, was presented “for assistance to the military.” The medal features the Virgin Mary holding a veil of protection over two crossed sabers, surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves.

Source: The Ukrainian Weekly
by MATTHEW DUBAS