Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
May 25, 194^ Verhovay Journal Page ! Pvt. Wm. Lengyel’s Father Replies Both in the Hungarian and English editions we published the story of the heroism of Pvt. William Lengyel of Johnstown, Pa. The Hungarian story was presented somewhat differently, and to this version of the story MR. STEVEN LENGYEL, father of the hero of Branch 8, sent the following, deeply moving reply: “COMING EVENTS CAST THEIR .SHADOWS BEFORE THEM. We are familiar with this old proverb and I am quoting it for the benefit of all Hungarian Americans, with the hope that they take heed to my suggestion. Mr. Editor, upon reading your timely article in the May 4th issue of the “Verhovayak Lapja”, captioned “ONE OF OUR HUNGARIAN AMERICAN HEROES”, the above mentioned proverb entered my mind—that the exploits similar to the ones attributed to Pvt. William A. Lengyel, and those already achieved by other Hungarian descendent serviceman, but not yet enumerated, plus the achievements that are yet to come, give us, the Hungarian Americans, the “shadow” upon which coming events at the Peace table will have a material effect in meting out Justice to our unforgotten Hungary. Opportunity and fate must be taken advantage of at every moment they present themselves. The opportunity is present and if fate is kind to us we can show by the achievements and accom plishments of our soldier sons, that the heritage of the Hungarian love for freedom is prompting our boys to give their all in this fight to retain the American way of living. I approve your suggestion that we give recognition to all our boys who are doing their bit: let us compile a record of their daring and resourcefulness, and when the great day of Peace arrives, we Hungarian Americans can present to the Peace Conference this record and say, that all this was done through the heritage of a freedom-loving nation, and prayfully request that justice be done for the Germanoppressed country of Hungary. This is a task that can be done only with the co-operation of all of us. Let there be a central point to which information pertaining to accomplishments of our servicemen, and w^men, be forwarded, together with the record of our support in the War Bond selling campaigns, showing the extent of our purchases of War Bonds, to be compiled there with tact and perfection so that the authenticity of same can never be questioned. And to you, leaders of all Hungarian Fraternal, Civic, and Religious organizations, I appeal and beseech you to lay aside all selfishness and petty jealousies, and enter into this undertaking with all your zeal and thoughtfulness, and answer the Prayer of the long oppressed Hungarian people who are under the yoke of German militarism, for we know that they are looking to us to help free them from this tyranny; and we can not—WE MUST NOT LET THEM DOWN. The opportunity is here. He who hesitates is lost. Let there be action. Johnstown, Pa., May 10, 1944 Fraternally yours, STEVEN LENGYEL, Father of Pvt. Wm. A. Lengyel. * * * ^ We feel that the letter of the father of one of our greatest heroes deserves being published I in full. We always thought that in regards to what should be done in the way of supporting the war effort as well as oppressed Hungary, those who have given their sons to fight, should have something to say. One of them, the father of our hero from the Anzio-front, has spoken. And what he says is of utmost importance. The recording of the deeds of our heroes is being done by our Home Office. If there ever be mity among American Hungarians at least in this respect, our data will be available. At the same time we feel that the army of the Verhovay soldiers alone already has, and will have much more so, such a record of hero- i -,m to its credit which must affect those who will decide the fate of Hungary after the war. There is much meeting and talking going on among Americans of Hungarian descent with the aim of helping Hungary to regain its place among free peoples. We believe that Hungary will not be substantially benefited by what we Americans here decide. Our soldiers will liberate Hungary, no one else. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that our soldiers be sent to the war with the assurance that they are going to fight for the liberation of oppressed people. They should not be confused by political issues, their thinking should not be torn apart by the arguments of the opposing parties of American Hungarians. If we can help our soldiers to go into the fight as soldiers of liberty... if we support them, while they fight, with all we can give and produce.., then we support our country as well as oppressed Hungary. Let Hungary decide what form of government it desires to accept after the war... that is none of our business. Our only duty is to support the soldiers in their fight—spiritually as well as materially. The only way in which we can help Hungary is by helping the cause of the United Nations. That fact simplifies the issues involved. And let us never forget for a moment that the American Hungarian fathers and mothers give their sons with the understanding that they shall help liberate Hungary from oppression. There is no room for contradicting their attitude, it is not the political aspirants, nor the leaders of any political school, but the soldiers themselves, and their fathers and mothers and wives, who have the greatest right to tell us what it is all about. •-------------V-----— PFC. LOUIS HORTON Pfc. Louis Horton, of Terrace, Pa., is a member of Branch 430, of Homestead, Pa. He has been in the army for ten months and is stationed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT Verhovay Hospital Train The Board of Directors, at its last meeting, adopted “the motion of Branch 248, of Logan, W. Va., that the price of a Liberty Ship be subscribed by the membership of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association, and entrusted the Supreme Officers to take care of the necessary arrangements so that the noble thought may be carried out during the Fifth War Bond Campaign.” After corresponding with the proper authorities it was learned, however, that it would be not practical for our organization to purchase a Liberty Ship during the Fifth War Bond Campaign. It was suggested by the same authorities that membership of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association subscribe the price of a Hospital train during the same campaign. The Supreme Officers immediately approved the suggestion, knowing that the idea will appeal to our membership, too. The hospital train is a train consisting of ten cars which are specially equipped for the transportation of wounded soldiers. It costs $600,000.00 to properly equip a hospital train. Such trains will be needed in an ever increasing number as the great invasion begins. The thousands of our wounded soldiers will be transferred to these trains upon arrival at our shores and transported to the hospital to which they are assigned. There can be no doubt about it that our wounded soldiers stand next to our hearts. Our sympathy, our love goes out to them and there is nothing we would refuse to do in order to help them regain their strength and their place among the living. A beautiful opportunity has been offered to us in this instance. We shall use this opportunity to the very best of our abilities. We could not look into the eyes of our returning soldiers if we could not provide them with what they need. The amount of $600,000.00 in War Bond purchases from the entire membership of our large organization should not represent a goal too high to attain. With the cooperation of every branch-manager and every member of our Association it should be comparatively easy to achieve. Remember the date: the Fifth War Bond Campaign will begin June 12th, 1944, and end on the 8th of July, 1944. Remember further that all War Bond purchases may be credited towards this purpose, including those purchases that are made on the payroll deduction plan. All purchases of the members of the Association may he assigned towards this purpose, 1#**. also purchases of non-members who are willing to give the credit of their War Bond purchases to the Verhovay for the purchase of a Hospital train. Branch-managers will be supplied with a subscription list. They will be requested to call on the members and request that they sign the list on which all War Bond purchases must be registered. The listing of War Bond purchases and the signing of the list may be accomplished at a branch-meeting, too, but the manager should visit those members who cannot attend the meeting in order to secure their subscription also. We realize that it will be a hard job for the branch-managers to handle. But we hope that with the cooperation of all of the members it will be possible for them to achieve the best results. And we believe that the patriotic members of our organization will not hesitate to call themselves on the branch-manager if they cannot attend the meeting and will assist him in successfully performing his duty. Members who cannot attend the meeting and, for some reason or other, cannot be visited by the branch-manager, should write a postcard to the Home Office indicating the amount of War Bonds purchased, giving his or her full address, and signing same. However, every effort should be made to avoid duplicate reports. War Bond purchases listed by the branch-manager should not be reported to the Home Office, since the branchmanager will take care of that. These Hospital Trains will travel through the United States. They will carry the soldiers who have given their health, their blood for our liberties. Our train will bear something like the following inscription: “Hospital train, purchased by the membership of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association.” Every car will bear a tablet with such inscription. That train will carry the proof of our true fraternalism and honest patriotism through all parts of the country. The soldiers will see it, and millions of civilians will note it. What a challenge! What a privilege to be able to supply our dear wounded with a train that will carry them to peace... to health ... to the place where gentle hands will take care of their wounds and pains... To accomplish this task we should make a united effort. No one should stand back. There should be no one who is unwilling to do his share for our wounded ... and no one who refuses to cooperate with the Association in this great task of love and mercy. We count upon every branch manager. We count upon the cooperation of every member. And we believe that for the sake of our 41 dead heroes... there will not be a single family that will not buy bonds until it hurts! Remember the wounded soldiers! Remember how their wounds hurt them! YOURS FOR VICTORY: THE HOME OFFICE. ! I [ i \ Í I I
