Verhovayak Lapja, 1937. július-december (20. évfolyam, 27-53. szám)

1937-10-28 / 44. szám

October 28, 1937

PAGE 7

IMhovayokJhpjo-My Trip To Hungary

It was the second greatest thrill of my life when I received the telephone call from Mr. Joseph Darago, Supreme President of our Association, telling me that I was among the twentyfive winners of round-trip tickets from New York to Budapest. Honestly, after being one of the winners last year and now again, why, I could hardly believe it to be true, but it was. Two dream trips to Europe. It’s almost impossible to believe. I really must thank that great Association of ours, the VERHOVAY FRATERNAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION. I believe you would all like to read a little of my experiences in Europe and mostly of that of Hungary, the Motherland of our parents, friends and relatives.

It was in New York City on July 23rd that our grand and glorious trip began. On that very evening we attended a festive dinner given in our honor by the New York Branches. We must thank all of them. It really was swell. Here is where Mr. John Bencze, our Supreme Secretary met all of the winners. And here we all became acquainted with one another, making one large happy family. But let’s get Into a taxi cab as it is nearing midnight and our boat the S.S. “Europa” is preparing to sail. Here we are at the docks, quite a few thousand people cheering and bidding us “bon voyage,"

From the dawn of July 24th, we had a grand time on our Atlantic home. With Hungarian gypsy music, wine and our family group, together with approximately one hundred and seventy other Hungarians aboard. It was most certainly a grand voyage across the Atlantic ocean, plenty of fun and excitement. On July 29th we saw the first glimpse of Europe. It was Cherbourg, France. Here we docked for a few hours, leaving some of the passengers off. We again set sail with Southampton, England, our next stop. It took us only six hours from Cherb o u r g to Southampton. Here again we docked and discharged some passengers. After this was done, we set sail again, but this time with the feeling that the next morning we should be departing from the steamer ourselves, also. We reached Bremer-haven on July 30th.

Here we had to leave the ship with mixed feeling of joy and sorrow, as it really was wonderful on the S. S.

Europa, meals and everything a person could desire.

We were also very anxious to i arrive in Budapest, our real destination. Our Hungarian Army marched down the gang plank with “General” Bencze our leader and Mr. Pálinkás, a veteran and charter member of the Association. We were all thrilled again, as some of us had been there before, while for others it was the first time. But the only thing we really cared about was to have our luggage inspected by the German customs officers and to get on that special train bound for Magyarorszag. We left Bremer-haven with great joy, amidst singing, joking and eating, as each one of us received two boxes of sandwiches from the North-German Lloyd. Some of us even tried to sleep during the night, but it was impossible with all the racket we were all making, trying to awaken the sleeping ones in order to make them pay their “hotel” bill for sleeping on the train. But we did a poor collection. Although we did succeed in awakening them so they had to join the party,- As the train rolled through Bremen, Leipzig, Dresden and Prague, it was beginning to dawn as we were nearing the Austrian border. We reached Vienna about noon on July 31st. Here we met Mr. Joseph Nagy, the Secretary of that great organization the World Congress of Hungarians. They really showed us Budapest

Regarding our TWO great excursions to Hungary next year, we are pleased to announce that the NORTH GERMAN LLOYD w a s chosen for these two great excursions.

The sailing date of the steamer is determined, therefore, we bring to the attention of our contestants, that:

I.

The contest for the older members closes on March 31, 1938, and the twenty-five winners will sail on the night of May 10th with the first Verhovay excursion on the ship “Europa,” to Bremer- Haven. From there traveling by special train, they will arrive in Budapest on the 18th of May and will take part in the Eucharistic Congress. This group will be

By: STEPHEN SZABÓ Secretary—Branch 396 Jacobs Creek, Pa.

and Hungary. Here also we met Andrew Fay- Fischer, Editor of the “Magyar Banyaszlap,” whom it was my pleasure to meet and know. All our group here in Viénna was getting more and more excited than ever because they knew that we were only a few hours away from the land where that glorious Hungarian flag flies. HUNGARY AND BUDAPEST! That beloved land of our parents. Where everyone felt as if they were in their own homes because we could speak our native language, meals were just like the ones our mothers make, which we appreciated very much.

One of my friends, William Kohut became so excited when we reached Hegyeshalom, the first town on the Hungarian frontier, that he danced, jumped, screamed with joy and even threw his new hat out of the train

led by our Supreme Auditor, Coloman Revesz.

*

II.

The contest for the younger members will close on May 31, 1938, and the

twenty-five winners will leave with the second Verhovay excursion on the night of July 25th, similarly on the ship “Europa” to Bremer-Haven. Leaving there by special train, they will arrive in Budapest on the 3rd of August and will take part in the session of the World Congress of Hungarians as well as in the St. Stephen’s festvities. Our Supreme President, Joseph Darago will travel with this group which will be under the leadership of Director Albert B. Ari.

Therefore, those who have

window. It was on July 31st, after 6 P.M. that we reached Budapest, being welcomed by the Mayor of the City. There was also a very grand brass band playing for our welcome. We were surrounded by a very huge throng, newspaper men and photographers. I, myself, met many of my friends from last year. They sure were very glad to see me again. A few speeches were given to welcome us home to our father’s and mother’s native land.

When the first burst of excitement was over, we went to our Hotel the Metropole. Some of our group went to rest after our long journey, but I took some of the boys and we went out that evening to have some fun right at the beginning. The next morning we went to the office of the World Congress of Hungarians, which again, as last year, was our headquarters. All of us always met there. I must thank the Congress for all the things we said and did while in Budapest and Hungary, as these people are the ones who really worked so that we might see all the important things. They also gave us Mr. Joseph Nagy again, for leader, to aid our own Mr. Bencze. These two men took our group to every interesting place in Budapest, such as, the great Hungarian Parliament Building, the King’s palace, Fort Buda, Margaret Island in the Danube River, St. Stephen’s Church, National Museum,

already announced their intention to take part in the contest, will do well tcf concentrate and begin to work harder, and those, who have not as yet announced their intention tq participate in the contest, but wish to do so, should not wait another day but report at once, in order to have enough time to secure necessary credit points.

For any and all information do not hesitate to turn to the Home Office and send all lexers to the address given below.

Best wishes for perseverance and successful good work.

JOSEPH DARAGO

Pres. Verhovay F.I.A.

345 Fourth Ave.

Pittsburgh, Pa.

and the City Park. They also gave us- theater tickets to see many good stage plays, also many, many other places too numerous to mention. It was really much more beautiful and interesting than last year.

During all these tours we were always accompanied by newspaper men and photographers. There was always some item and photograph in the newspapers about us. Oh, the publicity.

We were in Budapest for a week, that time being occupied mostly with sight tours during the day and in the evenings everyone had bis own choice and went where they pleased.

While in Budapst we really made history, as everyone was talking about the American Hungarians or the second generation of the Verhovay. On August 2nd a few of us were asked to talk over the air. This was a thrill to us to talk into the microphone, so that many thousands of people could hear us. This also gave our group great publicity all through the country, as our voices were recognized everywhere when we talked to them. Gee, are those people friendly. I should say! You can’t find them any better anywhere than in Magyarorszag. How about it there, you 1936-37 contest winners?

We better begin our tour through beautiful Hungary so let’s get going. Our first trip out of Budapest was to the suburb of the city, Budafok.

I guess you all know what there is there, that made us go to see this cityr. But f you don’t know, I had better tell you. . Here is where the Government har its large wine cellars. We missed this tour last year, but we sure were glad to go there now.

(To be continued)

NO SMALL society ca afford to offer her member ship double indemnity insu? ance similar to that issue by us.

Are you changing your

Address ?

If so, please see to it tha< your new home is listed with the officers of your branch so you may receive your Verhovay Journal regularly.

URGENT NOTICE TO THE CONTESTANTS