Fraternity-Testvériség, 1953 (31. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1953-10-01 / 10. szám
TESTVÉRISÉG 9 “TO HONOR AND TO DEDICATE” — AN ADDRESS GIVEN BY ALBERT A. FIOK — Convention of the American Hungarian Federation, Washington, D. C., October 6—7, 1953 Mr. President, Honored Guests, Reverend Clergy, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is a real pleasure for me to say a few words to this gathering. The purpose of this luncheon and gathering is to honor the Korean veterans of Hungarian origin as well as those heroes who have fallen and who have sacrificed their lives in that theatre of operation. We are here to honor and to dedicate. This, indeed, is a unique gathering of the American Hungarian Federation. This is the first time, as far as I know, that any national organization such as the Federation, has ever taken any steps to give public thanks, to publicly show its appreciation and to express its gratitude to those who risked so much to preserve those principles we so dearly cherish not only for ourselves but to other freedom loving peoples through the world. I know that it must be gratifying to those veterans present here to receive the thanks and gratitude of this organization and the many people, churches and societies it represents. Recognition publicly of valiant services is a heart-warming gesture. Anyone appreciates more those expressions of gratitude spoken in his lifetime and in his presence rather than to have close friends and relatives read about praises and recognition after death intervenes. The American Hungarian Federation is to be commended for its action. In a matter of less than eight years, another group of veterans have emerged victorious from a conflict which the veterans of the last World War fought to eliminate. We had hoped that with the elimination of dictatorships, one of the main causes of world conflict would be eliminated. And while, officially, the Korean conflict has never been declared a war, it had all the earmarks of a war which differed from the last only in modernization of weapons and improved techniques in the “art” of killing. Peoples and nations do not declare war any longer — they just have police actions! It is old-fashioned to declare war. But it is a fact that we are honoring the veterans of Korea — the Korean police action! I am quite certain that the men who have been exposed to the full onslaught of the enemy, who have been wounded, who have given their lives on the field of battle do not care much whether it was a “police action” or a full scale war. We come here to express appreciation to those young Americans of Hungarian extraction who risked their lives, to those who gave their lives in a conflict which has not ended but which is temporarily waged in words and gunless action in a desperate maneuver for position. These men have demonstrated in the most realistic manner possible that we will not tolerate the return to the dark ages anymore than the country of our ancestors which, presently but temporarily we pray, is laden with the tyranny of communism. These brave men — alive and present here today — together with those heroes who gave their lives on the field of battle, represent in no small measure first, our own country; and, secondly, they represent the country of our ancestors in the ever-continuing battle for decency. These men have represented a nation which cannot represent herself today before the country, our country, which undoubtedly will have much to say in the ultimate restoration of the blessings of liberty of which the country of our ancestors have been robbed. These veterans are the emissaries of a truly democratic Hungary whose mouth has been sealed at present and which country, temporarily, has been powerless, in the face of the Russian armies, to overthrow the yoke of oppression. Hungary, through these cousins, serves notice upon the Kremlin that she will never endure those despicable principles for which communism stands; that upon the first opportunity, the yoke of oppression and inhumanity will be overthrown! These veterans, through their gallant services, have demonstrated to the leaders of our own country that Hungary, with whom we are bound ancestrally, is just as freedom-loving as we are; that Hungary is just as interested and desirous of preserving the dignity and basic God-given principles of man as we are, and that when the hour to strike has arrived, Hungary can be counted on the side of decent government and democracy. The inroads have been made by the veterans we honor today. We must not permit these inroads ever to be closed again so that we can at all times speak frankly and honestly with the leaders of our nation and drive home forcefully the true picture of Hungary. This must be the task of young American Hungarians, for presently, we represent the true aims and views of Hungary.
