Fraternity-Testvériség, 1959 (37. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1959-09-01 / 9. szám
2 FRATERNITY Baltimore. It was in this port city where Kováts recruited his replacements for the crucial Southern campaign. By early 1779 the important fortress of Charleston, South Carolina, was completely surrounded by the British. The Pulaski Legion was rushed to its rescue, attacking the enemy with such fervor that the overwhelming forces withdrew, giving Gen. Washington a precious full year to regroup. However, on one of the last skirmishes Pulaski was cut off from the main force. Col. Kováts rode into the thick of battle to save his superior officer. However, upon successful completion of his mission, a volley of sharpshooters’ bullets inflicted mortal wounds. He was the first Hungarian to give his life for the U. S. A. The late eminent sculptor, Sándor Finta of Los Angeles, was the one who has done most to make Col. Kováts’ services better known. Prof. Finta’s large plaque is on exhibit in the Home Office of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America, Kossuth House, Washington, D. C. A smaller bronze replica adorns The Citadel, famed Military Academy of South Carolina. A bronze equestrian statuette has an honored place in Anderson Museum, national headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati, national organization founded by Gen. Washington’s officers. Whenever the White House is not large enough for elaborate state dinners, this gorgeous setting is the recipient of American and foreign dignitaries. The likeness of the late Ambassador and Mrs. Anderson look down upon the distinguished guests from a large oil painting by Philip László. The American Hungarian Federation, instrumental in placing Kováts’ mementos in American institutions, named its own headquarters in the Nation’s capital “Col. Kováts Memorial Building”. Centrally located, it is always open to all who cherish American and Hungarian patriotic ideals. Club life, lectures, music are as much a part of Kováts House as are the charitable activities of Coordinated Hungarian Relief, which also has its main offices there, still sending countless gift packages of used clothing to needy Hungarians abroad. Government and legislative liaison, counseling services, moreover friendly contacts with kindred peoples are the main tasks of those who work in Kováts Building. Perhaps a Pan-European Union will some day be born there, to re-attach to the civilized Western world over 120 million East Europeans now helplessly languishing beyond the Iron Curtain. Kováts Building is maintained exclusively by voluntary contributions! THE WORLD REFUGEE YEAR A World Refugee Year, declared by the United Nations, began on July 1. During World Refugee Year, the United States and thirty other countries will be making special efforts to assist the millions of refugees who have fled from their homelands in Europe, Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. The American Council for Nationalities Service recognizes the important work to be done in finding solutions to the world refugee problem. It urges the American people to support the humanitarian programs of voluntary agencies in the refugee field.
