Fraternity-Testvériség, 1956 (34. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1956-12-01 / 12. szám
6 FRATERNITY HUNGARIANS FLY NEW FLAG OF FREEDOM For a few all too brief moments one Sunday afternoon the flag of free Hungary flew from the torch of the Statue of Liberty. Patriots — freedom-loving people — everywhere must have felt their pulses race and their faith rise at the story of the flag and what it means. For nearly three generations the Statue of Liberty has been a unique symbol and beacon to countless hosts fleeing from oppression in foreign lands, a symbol of the real meaning of freedom and opportunity. The meaning of the Statue of Liberty still lives. The flag flying on that Sunday afternoon shows that in a world not yet free of political darkness, slavery and the threat of war, the “Lady with the Torch” serves as mightily as ever as the rallying point for those who still seek liberty and light. It would be significant if that Hungarian flag might be preserved in The American Museum of Immigration which will be built at the base of the Statue to commemorate the contribution of the foreign-born who have come to this country to make their homes. It is the aim of The Museum to provide a living memorial not only to the individuals and ethnic groups which have added their separate racial gifts to our American heritage, but more especially to the vast wealth of brain, brawn and spirit which have been poured into the making and developing of our great country. The unquenchable spirit of Liberty is by no means the least of these gifts, as our Hungarian friends showed us by daring to unfurl Liberty renewed from the Statue’s torch. That flag belongs with other flags famous in our history. So the flag that flew for but a few minutes, almost all that is left of free Hungary, should be preserved, to remind us not only of what we have, but of what we must struggle to maintain. It is our flag now. What better place to preserve it and at the same time commemorate the courage of those who dared hang it, than in The American Museum of Immigration at the foot of the Statue of Liberty? Isn’t that what The Museum’s for?
