Local Ukrainian American Air Force Veteran recognized as Veteran of the Day

WilliamStefaniuk

#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran William Stefaniuk

Born in Ukraine, William immigrated to the United States in 1949 with his family. He enlisted as an Airman Basic when he was 19 years old and trained at the Department of Air Police Training. There he was assigned to the 3628th School Squadron, 3275th Technical School.

During his time in the Air Force, William served with the 6313th Air Base Wing at Kadena Air Force Base in Japan and at Loring Air Force Base. He worked as an Air Policeman and in administration. One of his hobbies was chess and in 1962 he was crowned the Loring Air Force Base Chess Champion.

After separating from the military, William, father of six children, worked as a public school teacher in Ohio.

In a 1959 Lackland Talespinner feature, William, while training at Lackland Air Force Base said, “My father brought us to America to find freedom and we have found it.”

Source: http://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/40471/air-force-veteran-william-stefaniuk/

Lackland Talespinner (c. 1959): William Stefaniuk – Ukrainian Refugee at Lackland 30 Apr 1959

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Published by Stefan P. Stefaniuk

I’ve proudly called the Greater Cleveland area home for most of my life and have always appreciated the character, energy, and strong sense of community that make this region special. After serving five years in the U.S. Navy while stationed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, I returned to my hometown of Parma in 2009. In 2020, my wife and I made Strongsville our home, where we are now raising our four children. Throughout the years, I have remained actively involved in neighborhood revitalization efforts and community-focused initiatives across Northeast Ohio. Combined with my legal studies at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and graduate studies at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs, these experiences have strengthened my commitment to creating meaningful, lasting improvements within the communities I serve. I’m always grateful to work alongside dedicated residents, community leaders, and organizations who share a passion for positive progress. Together, we continue building a stronger community for current and future generations.

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