Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
December 13, 1944 THE FERRET SEZ mmmmmmmmssammmmsMua Progress is being made in the Hungarian Fraternal World! At last the Second Generation American Hungarians are represented in the American Hungarian Federation, that ticklish proposition which -was such a bone ol contention at our Verhovay Convention in September last year. I remember that I, myself, was very dubious about the matter of the V.F.I.A. being a member of said Federation. My main reason was that I didn’t know what it was all about. The older generation had heard of the Federation and its policies for the last 37 years, but how were the newer generation to know whether to back up our continued membership or not, when all it ever heard was contiuned wrangling, and misrepresentations of a sort to make every well-meaning American shy off. Enlightenment came recently when your Ferret was permitted to attend the Federation’s Convention as a delegate for V.F.I.A. ■Our editor, Rev. F. W. Rettmann, gave a very detailed report of what went on, but I would like to give you my particular viewpoints which you have learned to expect. Just a short analysis of what makes the Federation. Members of this organization are composed of four large national fraternral organizations, of which Verhovay is the largest; Catholic, Protestant and Jewish churches; institutions and organizations; united societies, councils, federations and committees; branches of these various organizations scattered throughout the country; newspapers and other publications supporting the American Hungarian Federation; all of which adds up to over 100,000 Hungarians, and descendants, being represented under one head. The beauty of this general coming together is that “in union there is strength”,’ and if all Hungarians and their descendants can work together towards one goal, the chances of achievement are greater than many small scattered communities and organizations working separately and against each othen Here, then, is FRATERNALISM working on a MAMMOTH SCALE, to aid our less fortunate brethren; here, then we can forget our trifling problems and work together to achieve miracles. The delegates attending the Convention were a cross-section of American Hungarians and consisted of prjests, ministers, doctors, lawyers, judges, professors, editors and newspapermen, house wives, working men, etc. Intelligent speakers gave a clear picture of what the Federation has done and plans on doing in the future. Before such an array of imposing men and women, one had a feeling of being submerged in the brilliance of unusually interesting personalities. I was greatly impressed with the smoothness and even tenor with which the Convention rolled off. No ranting, raving or tearing of hair; no slams at individuális who didn’t believe as the majority. It was more like an intelligent lecture room, where every minute was planned and accounted for, and efficiency reigned supreme. Naturally I cannot give a thumbnail biography of every individual who attracted my atten-■iiiiliiaili;111 B» Mrs. Jolán Lucas! tion, but one person stands out for his brilliant eloquence, the poetic and beautiful manner in which he put his words together, and left his audience spell-bound, and when I say spell-bound, I mean just that! Professor Joseph Remenyi teaches Comparative Literature at Reserve University in Cleveland, and it would be a pleasure of enormous satisfaction to be able to attend classes under him. The Professor spoke at the Banquet which was held Tuesday night, November 14, and although other guest speakers such as Senator Burton of Ohio, Mayor and Governor-Elect Lausche of Cleveland, and others too numerous to mention (in a two column article) gave interesting accounts of universal appeal, still to me, the Prof was the bright light of the evening. In the fraternal sense, that whieh made the biggest impression on your Ferret, was the plan which the Federation has in mind for helping war-torn Hungary. Primarily, no other organization in America is as representative of Hungarian- Americans as the Federation. Only one group can represent each nation on the President’s War Relief Board, and the permit to secure this repreentation is now being worked out in Washington. By this time, definite data as to which group has the permit, should be settled. There will then begin systematic relief for war-torn countries, with the Federation’s goal set at $1,000,000, for aiding our Hungarians just as soon as the war in Europe ends. At first I couldn’t see the sense to sticking our noses into the business of Europe and its politics, but when it was pointed out that the chief aim of the Federation is to give relief to those who are blood brothers of all of us, the enormity of the undertaking appealed to my sense of justice. Never again will fraternal organizations have such an opportunity to unite in a common cause for the benefit of humanity. Just one more thing, before my 6000 letters catch up to me. In the future, all articles and information regarding the Federation will be printed also in the ENGLISH language. That is another step upwards in the gigantic task of educating all American-Hungarians in the humanitarian work which is in progress. I believe that if the Federation can capture the enthusiasm of all Second Generation Hungarians, the task which it has set for itself will reach a successful fulfillment, because the co-operation given by these younger people will reach a far wider range than the small groups of Hungarian communities are able to at the present time. Given sufficient information, and sufficient leadership, and belief in the abilities of the younger generation, who knows to what heights and proportions the American-Hungarian Federation will grow! We may not have been born in Hungary, but the blood and emotions of Hungarians flow in our veins; add to that our Verhovay Journal_____ THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND By Page 3 BRANCH 430 Corp. William C. Kohut MILITARY VIEWS FROM EVERYWHERE; A most welcome letter arrived the other day from Capt. Stephen A. Nemeth. The Captain is finally settled again at Camp Haan in California. He writes that he, his wife Alice and daughter visited with the Steinmetzs in Los Angeles, California, and were shown true Verhovay hospitality. Our good friend and member, Steve, is in charge of an anti-aircraft battalion. The papers carried the story the other day of a young friend of ours, Sgt. Eddie Ivan of West 8th Avenue, W. Homestead, and it is a sorrowful tale. Eddie was killed in action against the enemy'while flying over Czechoslovakia on a bombing raid. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to Mrs. M. Ivan, his mother, and the other members of his family over their great loss. Cpl. Johnny Katrincsak, member of a Flying Fortress crew, has been in New York City for the past two weeks. He but recently completed all of his studies and training requirements for the position of radio operator and gunner aboard one of those flying giants. Our Prayers go with you, Johnny, on all of your forthcoming missions and endeavors. Petty Officer Edward Kurjack is reported as being out at sea again aboard one of Uncle Sam’s warships. I understand he will be at sea until shortly before Easter at which time he will return to the United States. Lots of luck as always, Eddie. HOMESTEAD CHATTER: The death of Mr. Imre Vajda, 1107 McClure St., Munhall, Pa., father of member Pvt. James Vajda, on Tuesday evening, Dec. 5th, at his home proved quite a shock to his many friends. His son, Pvt. James Vajda of the Army Air Force; rushed from his station at Truax Field, Madison, Wisconsin, Sunday morning Dec. 3rd, to his father’s bedside, in Munhall, Penna. The meeting of father and son under these circumstances was a sad one, but nevertheless an extremely necessary one. My good friend, Mr. Imre Vajda was finally laid to rest on Saturday morning, Dec. 9th, in St. Elias Cemetery. Requiem high mass was held at St. Elias Gr. Cath. Church in Homestead with Rev. Valentine Orosz singing the Mass. . May God Rest our dear friend, Mr. Imre Vajda, in Peace forever. The Juvenile Branch of 430 watched over by Mrs. Wm. C. Kohut has five new members to report for the month of December. They are, Joseph Nicholas Lusnak, III. son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lusnak of Munhall,' Pa.; Dorothy Louise Turoczy daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Turoczy of Vondera Plan; Misses sense of democratic justice and a sense of fair play, and you have a combination of a good solid citizen. Will try more next issue. WAITING FOR DADDY Andrea Tanya, Arlene Ann and Master Andrew Nicholas. Timko II, children of Pvt. and Mrs. Andrew Timko of Whitaker, Pa. Pvt. Timko is now in France and Germany with the American Fighting Forces. In the late afternoon of November 30th, Mr. M. Gyure and Joseph Lusnak departed for the forests and heavily wooded glens of Pennsylvania. They were on their way to the mountains to try their luck at deer hunting. The season opened December 1st, 1944, and they wanted to be on hand to curtail the deer population Came Dec. 1st, and 2nd, for a while it looked as though the hunters were going to return home empty handed but Joe Lusnak spotted a nice buck a nice distance away. He took aim, fired and was the victor. The deer was his. On Sunday morning, Mr. Gyure and Joe arrived home a little tired but nonetheless happy after their exciting yet profitable' adventure. Our congratulations to you two on your hunting prowess. Our sympathies are extended at this time to members Elvira, Yolanda Simon of W. Homestead, Mrs. Simon and ather members of the family over the loss of their son, Zoltán, in an industrial accident. He was buried from his home on Wednesday, Dec. 6th, 1944. May God Rest Him in Peace. IMPRESSIONS AND REFLECTIONS: It appears as though another juvenile branch will be organized in McKeesport within the near future, and this time it will be Juvenile Branch No. 395, and the organizer of this branch will be Supreme Auditor John Sabo, now serving with the U. S. Marines at Edenton, North Carolina. If Supreme Auditor Sabo handles the juvenile branch as he did the senior branch then we are assured of excellent results. His Branch No. 395 was a well organized and well conducted organization, and showed increases in membership from time’ to time. Progress goes hand in hand with interest and hard work! The overwhelming ratification by members of the 20th Convention of the Verhovay’s intention to donate $25,000.00 to Hungarian War Relief was anticipated before-hand. Thus the Verhovay, the Hungarian Reformed Federation the Bridgeport and Rákóczi Association are the leaders in this movement to build up a substantial fund to help relieve starvation and suffering in the ranks of the Hungarians in devastated Hungary. But where are the other Hungarian organizations, especially our brother fraternal societies? This is no time to side-step an issue. Let us have action and quickly, too. I take this opportunity to extend to my good friends and Verhovay brothers my best wishes for a Very Merry Christmas and Phillip S. Kazsuk, Jr., is the nearly 9 month old son of Cpl. and Mrs. Phillip S. Kazsuk. He is the youngest member of Branch 487, of Windsor, O., as his parents, both members of the same branch, purchased a SI,000 H-J certificate for their son. With a certificate like this, the parents: have insurance as well as a substantial saving towards the college education for their son. Mrs. Kazsuk lives in Windsor, O., while Cpl. Kazsuk is serving overseas. We consider it a remarkable feat for a soldier to contract a certificate of this type for his son, considering his salary and the fact that he is away from his son, facing an uncertain future. Mrs. Albert Czomba, manager of Branch 487, correctly recognized the news-value of this fact and we are happy to publish this soldier’s son’s happy picture. It shows Cpl. Kazsuk’s faith in the future as well as in the Verhovay! We thank you, Corporal, for your faith in our Association and we pray that your faith in the future may be rewarded by your early return to your wife and your baby. Junior may be insured for a thousand dollars, yet we still say, he is a million dollar baby! PAUL: The artists whose paintings show that angels are all .women certainly didn’t know women. MARY: That is perhaps true. It may be that they knew only men. * — Do you know that I haven’t spoken to my wife in a month? — Don’t worry. Your turn is bound to come soon. a Very Happy New Year! Official Announcement SUPREME ORGANIZER ALEXANDER GYULAY RESIGNS The Home Office regretfully announces, that Alexander Gyulay, Supreme Organizer, has resigned. His resignation was accepted by the Board of Directors. Henceforth, all correspondence to the Organizing Department should be addressed to Mr. John Bencze, Supreme President, who has taken over the management of this department in accordance with the decision of the Board of Directors.
