Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
April 25, 1945 Verhovay Journal Page 7 THEY GAVE THEIR LIVES A Day of Both, Mourning and Joy 140. ST/SGT. ANDREW P. PASTOR Mr. and Mrs. John Pastor received notice from the War Department that their son, Staff Sergeant Andrew P. Pastor was killed in action in Germany on February 26, 1945. He was born in Windber, Pa., on March 30th, 1921. He was a member of Branch 68, Bridgeport, Conn., where his parents live at 104 Alfred Street. He is the first heroic dead member of Branch 68 and the 60th fatal casualty of the Verhovay on the Western European front. 141. PFC. ANTHONY VASS, JR. Mr. and Mrs. Vass of Wallingford, Conn., received the tragic news that their son, Pfc. Anthony Vass, Jr., died as a result of wounds received in action on March 11, 1945, in Germany. His division Commander wrote a letter to the sorrowing mother of this hero, which reads as follows: “My dear Mrs. Vass: In the death of your son, the United States lost a valued soldier. It was my privilege to be his Division Commander and I wish to extend to you the sympathy it is so difficult to express in words; I feel his loss deeply and his fellow soldiers in the 261st Infantry Regiment grieve with you in the loss of their comrade. Private First Class Anthony L. Vass, Jr., died of wounds on March 11, 1945, incurred during the advance of his regiment near Rehlingen, Germany. He was buried in the Duchy of Luxembourg with an appropriate service at which a Protestant Chaplain officiated ... He performed his duty splendidly and the sacrifice which he has made in the service of his country will serve as an inspiration to those of us who continue the battle to make secure the American way of living for which he gave his life. These simple words cannot lighten your sorrow but I pray that a faith in the infinite goodness of God and in the principles for which your son died will soften the shock pnd provide solace to you in this time of sorrow.” With deep sorrow we report the death of these five fellow members who all died on the bloody front in Western Europe. These men and their many thousand comrades who have made the Supreme Sacrafice, paid the price of victory. They paved the way for our victorious armies and remained there while their comrades marched on towards certain victory. It is due to the heroism of these heroes that the war in Europe may end soon. At the cost of their lives they have brought the day near when the Germans will he forced, at last, to lay down their arms. Thereby, they have saved the lives of many thousands and perhaps hundredthousands who would have had to die if the war would be prolonged in Europe. Whatever the peace may bring, these heroes have not died in vain, for they have saved the lives of many of their comrades by their heroic courage. We express our deepest sympathy to the families of these heroes. May they find some measure of comfort in knowing that these men died in order that many others may live. THE MEMORY OF OUR 141 HEROIC DEAD SHALL REMAIN WITH US FOR EVER MEMORIAL SERVICE AND 35TH ANNIVERSARY IN EAST CHICAGO, IND. PRESENTATIONS OF HEROES’ PORTRAITS (Continued from Page 6) of this heroic soldier to his family, his friends, and our State. Please, convey my highest respects to his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Gyovai. I am writing them a letter, addressed to Whitesville, and if that is not the proper address, will you kindly receive the letter and see that it is delivered to them. Again thanking you for your kindness in inviting me to take part in the reception to he given this brave man and, with kindest re-TO THE CONTRIBUTORS The next issue of the Journal will be published on Wednesday, May 9. Contributions for that issue should be in not later than May 2, Wednesday, Contributions should be typewritten, on one side of jthe paper only, double-spaced, and not exceed 1200 words, or 6,000 letters. Address contributions to VERHOVAY JOURNAL, ENGLISH SECTION, 345 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh 22, Pa. gards to you, I am Sincerely yours, Chapman Revercomb”. * $ # Senator H. M. Kilgore replied with the following letter: “My dear Mr. Gall: I more than appreciate your kind invitation to participate in the reception for Private Frank Gyovai, but I cannot make any definite promise until I know the date of the reception... I have a great many outstanding promises to speak during the months of April and May and I shall make every effort to get to Whitesville for the reception if it is on a date when I am free. Please, let me hear as soon as possible what arrangements you make to the end that I may plan accordingly. With kindest regards, I am, Most sincerely yours, H. M. Kilgore.” John J. Mates, International Board Member of the United Mine Workers of America wrote from Washington, D. C., as follows: “Dear Mr. Gall: Because of President Lewis’ present preoccupation with matters pertainnegotiations, he has asked that I acknowledge your letter of April 7 for him. He is greatly impressed with the admirable heroic record of Pvt. Frank Gyovai, and he shares the pride of all other mine workers in his magnificent brave deeds. Unfortunately, it is exceedingly doubtful that President Lewis will be sufficiently free from the responsibilities bearing upon our contract negotiations, both Bituminous and Anthracite, as to be able to attend the forth-coming celebration at Whitesville. However, if you will let us know the exact date, we will be very glad indeed to designate another competent representative of the organization to come in his place. President Lewis extends his compliments in every way to Mr. and Mrs. Steve Gyovai and to Private Frank Gyovai, and he thanks you for your courtesy in writing him in the matter. Sincerely yours, John J. Mates.” * * # Branch Manager Louis Gall, in deed, makes the utmost effort to arrange the celebration in a way which will do justice to the heroism of Frank Gyovai. We are ing to our current coal contractcertain, that both the homecoming reception and the presentation of James’ portrait will be memorable events for the miners in West Virginia. * * * LORAIN, OHIO MAY 13, SUNDAY Under the leadership of Branch 17, the branches in Lorain, Ohio, and vicinity will hold a joint memorial celebration at which five heroes’ pictures will be presented to the families of these heroic dead. Supreme President John Bencze and Vice-President Joseph Szalay will attend the celebration and present the portraits to the bereaved families in behalf of the membership of the Association.-------------_V----------------DETROIT, MICHIGAN BRANCH 443 The meeting of the Branch decided to organize its own bowling team. The team will meét once a week. Details will be published later. All ladies and men who would like to join the team, will please call on the branch-managers. Those who are not yet members of the association are welcomed too, in the hope that they will join Sunday, the 15th of April was a red letter-day in more than one way for the membership of Branch 130, East Chicago, Ind. This was the date set for the presentation of the portrait of Joseph Halai, heroic dead member bf this Branch. And it was also the day set for celebrating the 35th anniversary of Branch 130. All arrangements were made by the able manager of the branch, Mr. Nicholas Palla, who, together with the Committee decided to separate the memorial celebration with the presentation of the portrait from the anniversary festival, which, we believe, was an excellent idea. At 10 A.M. the membership of the branch and a great host of guests from near and far attended the Holy Mass read for Joseph Halai, the 8th Verhovay soldier who paid the Supreme Sacrifice in North Africa on February 22, 1943. Following the Mass, the entire congregation gathered around the Soldiers’ Memorial monument in front of the church and there the portrait of the Verhovay hero was presented to his mother by Supreme Secretary Coloman Revesz. The impressive and moving ceremony was followed by a luncheon for the out-oftown visitors. Then the anniversary activities commenced. In the afternoon a bowling match' was held with eight teams perticipating and in the evening, at 6 o’clock the anniversary banquet was held with more than 500 guests attending. True fraternalism was displayed by the sister-branches which attended in great number. We understand that more than 15 branches were represented, among them 164 of Chicago, 111. This is only a preliminary report. We understand that Mrs. Margaret Stangret attended the celebration and, therefore, we invite her to write an extra report (in addition to her regular column) for the Journal. We believe that she will have a heartwarming story for our readers. CPL. LEWIS BARTHA i member of Branch 395, McKeesport, Pa., serves with the engineers somewhere in Europe. later. If you would like to be a member of Branch 443’s bowling team, please notify Mr. Joseph Szabó, JJgr., 9089 Lyon, Phone: VI 2-8077
