Magyar News, 1995. szeptember-1996. augusztus (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1995-10-01 / 2. szám
Bridgeport, October, 1995 FOND MEMORIES OF THE OPENING CEREMONIES by Judit Vasmatics Paolini Leading the Hungarian Delegation are Ferenc Varga, Judit Paolini, Janos Wisinger, and István Papp. For months I had been anticipating this moment with great expectations; now it had finally arrived! As Delegation Host Leader for the Hungarian Delegation, I had the honor and the great privilege of marching in the opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics 1995. It was quite an exciting time for every one - athletes, coaches, honored guests, volunteers, and spectators alike. Since President Clinton was attending the security was tight. Each delegation was escorted by a member of the National Guard from the campus were each was staying to the Volvo Tennis Center and eventually the Yale Bowl. As we were being escorted I noticed that our young athletes were quite taken with the young sergeant who had been assigned to us. We marched six across as we made our way from the Volvo Tennis Center to the Yale Bowl. The young sergeant was in the lead; directly following was the athlete selected to carry the sign which denoted the country’s name - HUNGARY. The athlete was beaming with pride; he felt the honor which had been bestowed upon him. Hundreds of people lined the streets waving, cheering us on, and shaking our hands. Everywhere we turned we felt a new serge of energy and enthusiasm bursting from the crowd. Each athlete received a rose in memory of Rose Kennedy. At the time I remember thinking what a lovely gesture it was! Marching and distributing the roses was a bit of a challenge. But by the time we reached the gates each athlete had a flower. I was pleasantly surprised as some volunteer place on in my hand at the last turn. The crowd’s cheer was almost deafening as we marched onto the field. Thousands of people were screaming, wishing us well. TV cameras were rolling as we made our grand entrance. The feeling was exhilarating. NOTHING COULD TOP THIS! - so I thought. Suddenly among 70,000 spectators I spotted my fam* ily, including my dad. proudly clapping and cheering for the Hungarian athletes and me - Judit. I had never imagined to see them in a crowd of such magnitude. I jumped, I waved, and I too cheered quite loudly as we proceeded to march to our designated area in the field. However, I quickly tried to compose myself when I noticed the the head of the delegation, Mr. Wisinger, walked steadily, smiling, and calmly waving as the television cameras just happened to be filming US. The evening had many wonderful surprises including a simple cheer: “NAUGA-TUCK! NAU-GA-TUCK! NAU-GATUCK!” It came from the Hungarian delegation that evening. To my complete sinprise the athletes the athletes were chanting NAUGATUCK; and most knew no other word in English! Through this simple cheer I felt that they were conveying a gratitude of thanks and an expression of love to Naugatuck, their host town Having participated in the host town program, I had witnessed fust hand the hearty welcome and gracious hospitality Naugatuck had bestowed upon the Hungarian Delegation. A couple of athletes pointed to the host town committee seated in the stands and joyfully said: “Ott vannak a magyarok! (There are the Hungarians!) I found myself laughing as I perceived the statement to be quite ironic.How can the Hungarians be in the stand when the Host Town Committee only had two Hungarian members and one couldn’t make it that day. I was the other, and I was standing in the field with what I perceived to be the real Hungarians. I did not laugh long, however, for I quickly realized that I was the only one who found the statement humorous. Also, I came to understand that the statement was not meant to be taken literally.. These two athletes were simply conveying to me their fondness for the people of Naugatuck who in just three days had befriended them. Then I found myself caught up in the spirit of the moment cheering, “NAU-GATUCK!” I cheered as loudly as I could. I hoped that our voices collectively would reach the ears of the committee members and not be lost in the open stadium. My carefully selected words barely describe the exhilaration I felt. I was very proud of MY town, Naugatuck. I had been its resident since 1978. I had always felt at home and comfortable there. However at that moment I was so proud of the kindness and sincere generosity it showed the Hungarian Delegatioa Yes, Naugatuck had extended a loving hand to the people of HUNGARY - the land where I was bom, the land I left in 1956. I was only eight After all these years, who could have predicted this preious moment, certainly quite endearing to me, as MY two worlds came together! PAGE 1
