Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
• GEORGE WASHINGTON • George Washington was born in 1732, in Westmoreland Co., Va., of well-to-do parents. His boyhood was that of any normal healthy child, whose parents saw to it that he received the best education that was possible for a child to have at that time. At an early age he showed signs of remarkable ability in his studies. His thoughts ran a little deeper than the thoughts of his classmates. He would ponder for hours in an attempt to understand what the life principle was, or what caused him to be a living vital human being. As a result of this Study he reached the conclusion that “my being is animated by a flame within my heart, and my life exists as a result of this tiny divine spark.” After school hours he would engage in the games that were popular with children in the 18th century. They were somewhat different from the games that are played by children of today. Ball was their favorite sport and in the winter-time they indulged in Snow-ball throwing, and pelted one another with the round mass of snow. The most outstanding incident of his life was the event of the cherry-tree. He had received a shining hatchet from his father for his birthday and wanted to test the sharpness of the small ax. The first thing he thought of was the cherry tree that stood before the house. He worked diligently, until he felled the small tree. The next morning when his father confronted him with the act, the boy answered bravely: “Father, I can not tell a lie. I cut down the cherry tree.” As a result of his truthful answer he was not punished for destroying the tree. From then on George Washington resolved to tell the truth always at no matter what the cost. When he grew into manhood he realized the situation of the colonies was grave, that soon there would have to be a change. He became an American patriot and devoted his life to guard the welfare and liberty of his country. Matters grew more serious and “taxation without representation” was the cause of the Revolutionary War (1775-1781). As a soldier George Washington did more than his share to help his beloved country. During the bitter cold winter months of 1777—1778 he was encamped in Valley Forge, a village in southeast Pennsylvania. It is of great interest to us today to know that Mary Knight was the first Canteen Hostess of America. During the winter that Washington’s men were camped in Valley Forge, she gave freely of her time to help brighten the lives of the suffering men, who were so far away from home and family. No sacrifice was too great for her to make in order to help the men through the winter, when the snow was deep and they had no shoes to wear. She tried to make the men as comfortable as possible and her efforts were deeply appreciated by the suffering soldiers. She worked ceaselessly, her courage unfailing, through the long cold months of that memorable winter in Valley Forge. Her valiance will long be remembered; her unselfish efforts serve as an incentive to inspire the women of today to help serve our soldiers in the local canteens. After the bitter conflict was over, George Washington was elected first president of the United States of America and was inaugurated in the year 1789, at the age of 57 years. Four years later he was elected for a second term. At the end of this period the people wanted to elect him for a third presidential term, but he declined, stating he wished to spend his remaining years in peace and quiet in his own home, and just “watch things grow in his garden.” His early life was spent peacefully; but his adult life was filled with many exciting events. He lived a full life as patriot, soldier and statesman, experiencing all the emotions that go to make a man’s life rich and complete. The little boy who cut down his father’s cherry tree did not dream that one day he would be called “the father of his country” —America. Camp Shows in Italy The following bit of news may be of interest to those who have a brother or son in the Armed Forces now in Italy. The first American USO Camp Show arrived in Italy for a series of field performances. Heading the cast are Ella Logan, singer and wife of Fred Finklehoffe, author of “Brother Rat,” and Edith Del Aney, dancer Widow of Sgt. Jack Firestein, Who was killed in action. The women,- with Jerry Shelton, an accordionist, have been touring North African camps and hospitals. To quote Miss Del Aney; “I am glad to meet so many of my husband’s friends who fought beside him in Africa. This is something he wanted me to do.” Often, at great personal danger, performers appear at the camps to put on entertainments which will build morale and ease the nervous tension which is the unavoidable result of war. But they are happy in their work, knowing that their small contribution means so much to the boys at the fighting fronts. DREAM BY A U. S. MARINE 'And if our lines should form, then break Because of things you failed to make The extra tank, or ship, or plane For which we waited all in vain And the supplies which never came Will you then come and take the blame For we, not you, will pay the cost Of battles you, not we, have lost, [ MORE JEFFERS • One of the most outstanding feats in war production was done by William M. Jeffers, former rubber director, in building up facilities to supply this nation with synthetic rubber. In about a year, he had the program completed and the rubber rolling out. He then resigned and went back to his job of railroading. Shortly after he resigned, it was suggested that he had better return and see that tires were made out of the new rubber supplies available, as tire companies claimed they were short-handed. In reply, Mr. Jeffers said he finished the job he was chosen to do— get rubber; that the shortage of manpower in the tire industry is not nearly as serious as on American railroads. He said that in his letter of resignation to the President, he told him there was a shortage of tire fabric for which the War Production Board was responsible, and that the question of manpower shortage had been repeatedly called to the attention of the War Manpower Commission. He said that Colonel Dewey and others who worked with him on the rubber program, understand it thoroughly and that if Dewey will demand the ultimate in support of the rubber program from the rubber companies, the War Production Board, and from the War Manpower Commission, the rubber program will come through. “There are practical men in the OPA who, if given the opportunity to head up the rubber problem within the OPA, will do a job.” The Jeffers philosophy of getting production, which he did with, rubber, one of our most scarce articles, is what this nation needs more than policies and theories which promote shortages. Bounteous supplies, reasonable profit, and such regulation as is needed to prevent profiteering, is the real American way of doing business. When this war is over and I know it will be soon, I’ll be coming home again, my dear, singing a happy tunei I’ll see you as you looked to me before I went away; I’ll hold you in my arms again like I did that last dayf You looked so sweet and lovely dressed in that pale sky blue, Kissing me at the station telling me you’ll be true; 1 got your letter yesterday and it put me in good cheert I really was so happy I could have walked on air; Tonight we go to battle and raid some distant town, While half the world is sleeping and won’t hear the dis• tant sound; Yes, I’ll be coming back to you when this war is won, When all the world is peaceful and all the killing’s done.
