Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
November 9. 1944 _____________________Verhovay Journal___________________________Page 3 THE VERHOVAY EPIC,., While our attention is held by the daily increasing list of our heroic dead whose memory is perpetuated by the portraits the Verhovay F. I. A. presents to the families of our fallen heroes, we cannot forget those" fighting men who are spared the Supreme Sacrifice but who are serving our country valiantly and by their heroic deeds are . adding daily new chapters to the epic story of Verhovay heroism and American Hungarian patriotism. We are glad to receive clippings and letters that tell their stories and we love to re-tell the stories which fill our hearts with pride and with humble gratitude towards these young men who are serving to America proof of the unfailing loyalty of the soldier's of Hungarian descent and of the fathers and mothers who, though speaking but broken English, have reared American soldiers of unsurpassed quality. The other day we received a letter which classically expresses the spirit that drives OUR soldiers, and the loyalty with which their folks support them. The letter was written to Ernest Kunstadt, Manager of Branch 164, Chicago, 111., by Sgt. ANDREW AKOS, a member of the branch which has sent a Christmas gift to every branch member who serves in the armed forces of our nation. Dear Verhovay brethren, dear Mr. Kunstadt: I was deeply moved by the beautiful Christinas gift of the Verhovay branch 164 which has brought me unexpected and sincere joy. I know that this gift comes from the heart and is the fruit of Verhovay patriotism, and serves the purpose to strengthen the morale of the soldiers by the encouragement and the assistance of the Verhovay ans. WE SHALL RETURN THIS GIFT by contributing to the fight for Victory with all our ability and strength and, as in the past, in the future also we shall endeavor to gain glory and recognition for this great Association which is honored and appreciated by all because of its deeds in behalf of the country and the family. Thanking you again for the gift, I' wish a long and happy life to all Verhovay brethren and I hope that soon the surely approaching victory of our forces will bring a peace that shall lit up the home of all our brothers with its blessed light. With best regards to you and all the members, I am sincerely yours, Sgt. Andrew Akos. (Incidentally, this letter was written in Hungarian ... the translation follows the original text closely.) This letter expresses everything •that is glorious in the hearts and minds of our soldiers. It makes us happy and proud to know that while our soldiers fight for Victory, they also fight for the Verhovay, because they appreciate the fact that THE VERHOVAY STANDS FOR THE COUNTRY AND FOR THE FAMILY. It is a beautiful testimony of the idealism of the second genera tion Verhovayans. It should be framed and hang ©n the wall of a Verhovay Hall witnessing to the fact that our American youth serves in this war with a clear conception of its sacred duties. It should be read by Americans so that they may appreciate the CONTRIBUTION IMMIGRANT HUNGARIANS HAVE MADE TO THIS NATION THROUGH THEIR SONS AND DAUGHTERS. Such young men write the story of Verhovay heroism. It is written with sweat and blood. It should be read with tears and prayer. * * * 67 MISSIONS 1st Lt. John J. Nemeth A son of Frank Nemeth, Sr., of 4715 McCook Ave., East Chicago, Ind., and a member of Branch 130. He has to his credit 67 missions over Netherland, Belgium, France. During these missions he dropped 250 tons of bombs on the enemy. In recognition of his services and valor he has received the Air Medal, the Oak Leaf Cluster with 13 leaves, two bronz-stars for his participation in the European theatre of war, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He took off for all the missions from bases in England and returned safely after every mission. * * * 100 MISSIONS CpI. Louis Horvath His parents came from Fertoszentmiklos to the U.S., 45 years ago. He received his wings in October, 1942, after completing his training at the Curtis Wright Aeronautical University. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Nemeth and a member of Branch 130 of East Chicago, Ind. He completed 100 missions within six months. He bombed German “E” boats in the Atlantic and enemy bases in Germany, France, Netherland. He was decorated with the Air Medal and the Oak Leaf Cluster with ten Branch 130 has every reason to be proud of its soldiers. It has the rare distinction of having as its members two fliers who have a total of 167 missions to their credit. The entire membership of the Verhovay shares in the pride of Branch 130, and rejoices over the valor of its heroes. * * * Let us not leave the State of Indiana yet . . . there is Branch 229, Indiana Harbor, Ind. which also prides itself of two outstanding members who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country. WOUNDED IN ITALY Pvt. Frank Varga A son of Mr. and Mrs. Emery Varga of 10615 N. Ave., South Chicago, enlisted on November 16, 1942; received his training at Camp Wolters in Texas; was taken overseas five months later. He served with the 7 th Army, fought in North Africa, in Sicily, in Italy. He was wounded in action, received the PURPLE HEART ... recovered and returned to his battalion and kept on fighting until they reached Naples. As a result of 9 months’ constant fighting he got so exhausted that he was returned to the U.S. and rested for several months jn an army hospital in Tennessee. Recovering he returned again to active duty and is now stationed at Leavenworth, Kansas. For nine long months he faced death... and he is still doing his duty and rendering valuable service to i his country. BREAKING THE SIEGFRIED LINE Sgt. Lester N. Lucas Also a member of Branch 229, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Nick Lucas of 3719 Deodar St., East Chicago, Ind., he serves with the artillery on one of the bloodiest spots of the western front. Before his enlistment he worked for the American Steel Foundries. Enlisted in July, 1942, received his training at Camp Forrest, Tenn., and graduated from the artillery school in Ft. Still, Okla., as a mechanic, (His brother John fights against the Japs, as an electro technician.) Let us leave now Indiana and go east, to Toledo, Ohio. WOUNDED INVADER St. Sgt. William Deme Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Deme, of Bay Ridge, O., report that their son, William Deme, a member of Branch 27, of Toledo, O., has been promoted from Private First Class to Staff Sergeant, and that he has been awarded the Purple Heart and the Oak Leaf Cluster. Participating in the invasion of France, he was wounded there on July 26th, 1944, and is now recuperating at a hospital in England. He would like to hear from his friends! His address is: S/Sgt. William E. Deme, 35536353, 4/30 Hospital Plant, APO-59I, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. YBoys and girls! How about writing this soldier and cheering him up? Let him feel that we at home admire him and his comrades for the shining example they are setting. Let him feel that upon returning he and his comrades will find a nation that will ever appreciate their glorious deeds. Make him feel, that when he and his comrades return, they will find their community and the nation ready to give them the very best it has. These men who have gone through hell, deserve to be assured of work, of security, of peaceful surroundings. * * * Let us close this chapter with a tribute to a soldier who was not a member of our Association but his parents are and so is the rest of his family. We have before us his last letter, written to his parents, before he was killed in action in France. Thus writes Pfc. Joseph J. Stephan to Mr. and Mrs. Nick Stephan Sr., of Branch 226, McKeesport, Pa.: Dear Mom and Dad: I received two letters today from Helen of which one was written for you. I sure was glad to get them as they are the first letters I received over here. Glad to know that everything is OK back there. I am myself OK and in good health. I learn that my wife moved. Where did she move to? I haven’t heard from her as yet. I hope I get some mail from her soon, as I am wondering how she is getting along. > The food we get here is O.K., but there is very little to get. So I’ll appreciate it if you can send me some kind of cookies, cake or candies. That’s about all I can use as we get everything else. No, don't send any CIGARETTES or money. I don't have any use for money. In fact, I can’t spend it any place here. Every town around here is practiclaly in ruins or evacuated. So there are very few people left around here. There are lots of farms around, though. Well, Mom and Pop, I am going to close now. So until next time I remain as ever and always, wishing you both my best. Don't worry about me. Say hello to the neighbors for me also. Will write more the next time. Until then PLEASE WRITE SOON. Love, Josie ... Well, dear good Joe did not write the next time. He will not write any more. He was killed in action in the battle of France, leaving his WIFE and his parents mourning for a considerate and lovable husband and son. Their sorrow is ours.„ * * * Keep on reporting the outstanding achievements and deeds of our soldiers. The VERHOVAY EPIC may serve higher and greater purposes than that of just being published in the Journal... Your cooperation will be appreciated. 1st Lt. ALEXANDER KOVACH 1st Lt. Alexander Kovach is a bombardier who has fulfilled many dangerous missions from his base in England. At present he is on furlough at his parents’ home in Tarrytown, N. Y. His father, Mr. Stephen Kovach, is manager of Branch 424, Tarrytown, N. Y. It is fortunate that 1st Lt. Kovach was permitted to spend his furlough with his father and mother who need the comfort of the presence of this son whose brother, Joseph Kovach, has paid the Supreme Sacrifice... Their anxiety for this son will not end before the victorious conclusian of the war. We are glad you are back, Lieutenant, and pray that you may return again for good! The institution of insurance is the most extensive cooperative movement devised by man.
