Calvin Synod Herald, 2006 (107. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2006-11-01 / 11-12. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Lorain County Remembers Hungarian Freedom Lovers On Sunday, September 17, 2006, the American Hungarian Council of Lorain County Ohio dedicated its memorial to freedom loving Hungarians. Freedom fighters from 1848 and 1956 were honored and remembered with a monument erected in Oakwood Park, Lorain, Ohio. The Hungarian Council is an organization of representatives of our four churches: St. Michael’s, St. Ladislaus, Hungarian Reformed of Lorain and the Elyria Magyar UCC. Its purpose is to keep our Hungarian Heritage alive. This project started as the dream of 12-year Council President, John E. Peters. Since 1999, he solicited the City of Lorain for land and various individuals to contribute financially to the project. Funds left from the Hungarians Spotlight in the Lorain International Festival were also used as seed money. The Hungarian Council and community rallied through various fund-raisers with the Hungarian churches and community events to raise over $20,000 for the project. It was completed this year, 2006, to coordinate with the 50th Anniversary of the Hungarian Revolution for Freedom. The day started with a Dedication ceremony at Oakwood Park. Participating in the service were our mayor, ward councilman, Southview High School JROTC, Miss Ohio, Honorary Consulate General László Bojtos, Rev. Peter Toth, Father James Schmitz, Attorney Adelbert Balunek and representatives from the Csendőr Family Association and the Cleveland Memorial Foundation. After the Ceremony, a pork dinner was served in the social hall of the Hungarian Reformed Church of Lorain. Miss Ohio Melanie Murphy spoke and signed autographs for those participating. Her Grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Miklós Legetvari immigrated to America from Hungary in 1956. The Lorain Hungarian Folk Dancers performed to the delight of all. A commemorative book was published and was presented at the dinner. The Hungarian Community in Lorain County is proud to recognize and remember all freedom loving Hungarians. At the time, Senator John F. Kennedy said it best: “October 23, 1956, is a day that will live forever in the annals of free men and nations. It was a day of courage, conscience and triumph. No other day since history began has shown more clearly the eternal unquenchability of man’s desire to be free, whatever the odds against success, whatever the sacrifice required.” Sue Fortner Hungarian Reformed Church Lorain, Ohio Laying Wreath Father Schmitz and Rev. Toth Presenting Flags
