Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
December 13, 1944 Verhovay Journal A Report on the War Effort What Americans of Hun garian Origin Are Doing By Stephen Huzianyi This is a story about -a member of Chicago Branch 503. Bob Sanoshy (Szénássy) was with the “Ifjúsági Kör“ before it was under the Verhovay banner and he has always been a credit to the organization. When Bob wrote us the information which is contained in this article he was '“somewhere in North Ireland,” undergoing intensive and extensive training in the infantry, shortly before the landings on the Normandy beach head. Bob, born in 1925 in Chicago, is of Magyar parentage. Both his mother and dad were born in Hungary. He went to the Arnold Elementary School, then attended Lane Technical High School, from where he was graduated in January 1943, majoring in a PFC. BOB T. SANOSHY general course. He studied machine shop most intensively. “1 have no hobbies—but I could spend all day driving a car or playing baseball,” writes infantryman Sanoshy. Anxious to become SGT. JOE FIRTKO AND HIS COMRADES This is a unit of the 205th Field Artillery which has been in action in several battles in the Southwest Pacific. In the first row, on the extreme left, is Sgt. Joseph Firtko of Racine, Wisconsin. The group displays a few of its Jap trophies. Sgt. Joe, who sent this picture, is a brother of Sgt. Steve Firtko, (Branch 461 in Racine), whose picture also appears in this issue. It is inevitable that most of the activities which contribute to the successful termination of this war will never be publicized in the full, because the range and variety of the departments in which we serve are too greatly diversified to permit of a detailed description and summary. It is our purpose here to do what justice we can to our boys as well as those of us on the production line through an analysis and exposition of our efforts on both home and battle sectors of this, the most widespread and far-flung of conflicts in our world history. While many thousands of our people, our brothers, our husbands, our sweethearts are battling all over the globe, right here in our country there are undoubtedly several hundred firms whose efforts are all directed toward an early and successful conclusion to the war. Recognition is deserved on the fighting fronts—and at home, and moreover, is necessary—so that we may gauge more thoroughly our contributions to the U. S. A. Such will be the aim of this and future articles, in which I intend to give brief, revealing biographies of our fighting men. an expert tool and die maker, Bob worked diligently at the Scientific Engineering Company, until Uncle Sam said he had a totally different job for him to perform. And so, cn June 26, 1943. Bob becomes Pvt. Bob J. Sanoshy, and was sent to Fort Custer, Michigan. His 17 weeks of basic training he completed at Fcrt McClellan, Alabama. Then he received a week’s furlough, returned to camp, and about after a month’s time, he was in a contingent bound for overseas duty—in Europe. I need not write what intensive training many infantrymen receive of necessity, for the battles in Europe, for readers are well acquainted with that tough side of training that is done in most instances under conditions similar to actual battle. We feel sure that Bob gave a good account of himself, knowing his determination to perform a task. And we know, too, that he is doing his job well whether he be in France or in Germany. We understand that Pvt. Sanoshy is with the 13th Infantry attached to the 8th Division fighting under the command of Lt. Gen. George S. Patton’s 3rd Army. (We have read recently that Patton’s units stormed across the Saar River, some moved eastward below Saarbrücken, while others already moved into the German cities of Ubrkinger, Remering and others.) We do now know the whereabouts of Pvt. Sanoshy, whether he is in one of these offensives, but we feel assured that he will render an enviable account of himself. We hepe we will hear from him shortly again, for he is of course in correspondence with his folks and other Branch 503 members. Inquiring about the things at home in his Sept. 13th letter, Bob writes thus to his folks: “John wrote me and said somethin! about selling the car. What’s the dope? ... Just got back fron taking a shower and looking arcund these parts here in France 1 received the package all right; it was very good what you sent While I’m on the subject of packages, I would like to get somcandy, gum, cookies, cake and a pound of sugar in a cloth bag .. We haven’t had a chance to drink champagne yet. The French say that the Germans took it all. “Don’t worry, Pop, I know I can outmarch you, and I dr know that I can outbowl you any time I want t . And it won’t tak me two games to get a score of 250. Just one game; you know ten frames. ... Well, I got my pipe out of the bag and so ono again I am a pipe sm- ker. This is the first time I have had ; chance to use ink and pen since we’ve left good old Ireland. . 1 should lose a little weight. Don’t laugh, Dad, you could stanc to drop about 15 lbs. yourself! ...” This letter, from a soldie to his folks, is typical of the interest that servicemen take ir affairs at home, which is more reason why we Verhovayan: should tell the boys at the front some of the odds and ends tha happen here on the home front. Our sincere wishes for your well-being, Pvt. San- shy. anc keep firin’ away, soldier! We’d like to hear more from you. Louis Varady, a member of I Branch 383, of Buffalo, N. Y. : was a first line base-ball player | of the branch. The “Buffaloi Hirado”, publishing a write-up | of him, recalls how even, as a little boy he used to attend all the ball games, running out into the field and catching up the ball to- the amusement of the crowd. Well, the little boy grew up and became a grand base-ball player, then he went to the Canisius College. After his graduation he joined the Navy and received his training at Rochester and at the Columbia University in New York from SGT. STEPHEN J. FIRTKO Racine Branch 461 Sgt. Firtko is with the Engineers somewhere in France. Mention of him was made in the October 26th issue of the Journal. Steve was wounded in action and received the Order of the Purple Heart, which he sent home to his mother who resides at 1313 Albert Street, Racine, Wisconsin. ENSIGN LOUIS E. VARADY where he was sent to San Francisco. - On fTis way he •■'pent a few days with his family who gave a supper to friends of the family. Ensign Varady is now on his way Page 5 Alliance Branches Practice Frsteraaiism Branches 189 and 369 of Alliance, O., held a joint meeting on November 26th, Sunday, which was attended by about 175 members, proving that if something constructive is going on in the branches, the members certainly are interested and will attend the meetings. Of course, this was a verj' special occasion, for the two branches celebrated the fact that their jointly owned Verhovay Heme has been completely cleared of all indebtedness. The meeting was opened by Mr. Martin Magyaros, chairman of the joint House Committee, who welcomed the members of both branches and introduced Mr. Michael Simo, District Manager and asked him to act as the chairman of the joint meeting. Mr. Simo called upon Director Frank Brogley, of Youngstown, O., who addressed the audience in English, and congratulated the members of both branches for their achievement and asked for continued cooperation amongst them. He called their attention to the benefits, members of the Verhovay receive in addition to insurance protection, and in behalf of the Home Office opened a membership drive for A lance, O., asking each and every member to secure at least cne new member during the campaign. Then District Manager Nicholas Takacs spoke and asked that the social activities be continued with true fraternal spirit maintaining the reputation of the Verhovay ihat it not only offers the very best insurance protection but also real fraternal life. Manager Sera of Branch 189 P'inted to the progress of the Verhovay during the last years tnd announced that at this rneetng S969.00 will be paid to the members of the two branches, as a gift, from the profits gained by the management of the Verhovaj' Home. He added that if favorable conditions continue, the management will be able to make such payments three times yearly. At this time, each member was to deceive the equivalent of one month’s dues. Director Korosfoy related the history of the Verhovay Home and of the Hungarian colony of Alliance, O. He p; inted out that there were only 82 Hungarian- Ameriean families in Alliance, and that the progress of the two branches has been made possible by the confidence and cooperation of the people of Alliance, other than Hungarian-Americans, and asked for their continued trust and partnership. (In his report, Director Brogley remarks that more than half of those attending were non-Hungarian Americans.) Mr. Louis Hoyle stated that though he is not of Hungarian descent but of American birth, he is proud to be a member of the Verhovay, because be feels at home in the Verhrvay Home, in the company of Verhov ayans, and that for that reason be is engaged at present in the soliciting of members for the Association. Mr. Simo closed the meeting, thanking the members for attending. We, too, congratulate the Branches of Alliance, O., which having overcome differences that separated them in the past, have made remarkable progress and I scored a marvellous success.
