Whistlestops for Ukraine: A Day in Oklahoma
Bright and early on a Tuesday morning, parishioners and community members filled the pews of Saint Mary Dormition Ukrainian Orthodox Church, a small building in Jones, Oklahoma. From the outside, one might not expect much. But for recently displaced Ukrainians, this church, and the community it builds for Ukrainian-Americans in the area, are home.
“When people arrive in a new area, one of the first things they look for is church,” said Subdeacon Yaroslav Bilohan. Serving homemade borshch and varenyky, this church brings together Ukrainians and Ukrainian-Americans for religious services, birthday celebrations, holiday traditions, and even bake sales of homemade Ukrainian baked goods such as paska and khrustyky. For many members of this congregation, Saint Mary’s Church feels like Ukraine in Oklahoma. The Whistlestops for Ukraine team joined the congregation on April 2, 2024 as part of Whistlestop Oklahoma. In a service in both Ukrainian and English, church leaders laid out our shared values and emphasized that supporting Ukraine is part of a history of fighting for independence. GMF President Heather Conley was warmly welcomed, and in her remarks she emphasized the inspiration she took from the congregation.
The Oklahoma whistlestop began with a focus on what local communities are doing to support Ukraine. Beginning the day at Oklahoma University (OU), President Conley and First Secretary Kateryna Smagliy of the Ukrainian Embassy met with Operation Ukraine, an initiative by OU surgeons to provide teaching and training to Ukrainian surgeons on advanced head and neck reconstructive techniques. Through numerous partners, including Razom for Ukraine, OU was able to develop a one-month curriculum for Ukrainian surgeons at its medical facilities. These surgeons are given the tools needed to begin training additional surgeons back home in Ukraine.
The Whistlestops team also met with two Rotary chapters in the Oklahoma City region. President Conley addressed the Rotary Club of Northwest Oklahoma City, fielding questions from the audience such as “What is America’s previous involvement with Ukraine?” and “how can America continue to provide support given its deficit?” These Rotarians seized the opportunity to revisit history and gain clarity on a few foreign policy issues. Meanwhile, Howard Buffett, chairman and CEO of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, met with members of the downtown Oklahoma City Rotary Club. A guest of Rotarian and former Oklahoma Governor David Walters, Buffett also fielded a range of questions about Ukraine and America’s support. Finally, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt welcomed the Whistlestops team to the Oklahoma City University Law School, where Buffett, Conley, and Smagliy discussed the importance of a Ukrainian victory with students.
Whistlestop Oklahoma proved yet again the importance of ongoing conversations about Ukraine and why Ukraine’s victory matters to Americans.
