The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and the Ukrainian War Veterans Association of Canada (UWVA) have announced the names of Canadian heroes who gave their lives fighting for Ukraine’s freedom and will be honored with the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal.
Among the recipients are: Émile Antoine Roy-Sirois, Joseph Hildebrand, Grygorii Tsekhmistrenko, Kyle Porter, Cole Zelenco, Bradley Stratford, Jean-François Ratelle, Alain Derasp, and Malick Joseph.
“The Ukrainian Canadian community has a deep gratitude and appreciation to Canadians who took up arms and sacrificed for the freedom of Ukraine. It is our privilege to bestow the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal to these Canadian heroes,” stated Taras Jackiw, Chair of the Medal Committee and Treasurer of the UWVA. “They fought for the values of liberty and justice that we all share. Let us honour those who have joined Ukraine’s courageous fight for freedom, and let us ensure that their sacrifice is forever remembered. May Their Memory Be Eternal. Вічная Пам’ять!”
Established by a Resolution of the XXVII Triennial Congress of Ukrainian Canadians in Winnipeg in fall, 2022, the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal will honour Canadian citizens who have been killed or wounded in action serving with Ukraine’s Armed Forces in defence of Ukraine’s freedom against Russia’s genocidal war.
On Nov. 10, the Ukrainian Canadian community in St. Catharines honoured the memory of fallen Hero Cole Conrad Zelenco. In a solemn ceremony, the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal was presented to the family of Cole Zelenco.
Cole Conrad Zelenco, 21, was killed in action on Apr. 26, 2023, during Ukraine’s defence of Bakhmut. He served with the rank of Junior Sergeant in the International Legion. He has been honoured by Ukraine for his service. Cole Conrad Zelenco also previously served in the Canadian Armed Forces.
In the coming weeks and months, representatives of the UCC and UWVA, and local Ukrainian communities will have the honour of presenting the Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal to the families of the Fallen at solemn events in the communities across Canada the recipients of the Medal called home.
Cover: Ukrainian Canadian Sacrifice Medal presented to Cole Zelenco’s mother, Lynn Baxter and sister, Elena Zelenco, by Irene Newton (UCC Ontario VP and UCC Niagara President) and Taras Jackiw. Photo by the UCC.
