Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
Page 4 Yerhovay Journal Journal of the Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Ass’n OFFICE OF PUBLICATION 8502 West Jefferson Ave. Detroit 17, Mich. PUBLISHED SEMI-MONTHLY BY THE Verhovay Fraternal Insurance Association Managing Editor: JOHN BENCZE Editor: COLOMAN REVESZ Editor’s Office: 345 FOURTH AVENUE ROOM 805 PITTSBURGH 22, PA. All articles and changes of address should be sent to the VERHOVAY FRATERNAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION 345 FOURTH AVENUE, PITTSBURGH 22, PA. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: United States and Canada ---------------------------------$1.00 a year Foreign Countries _____________________________$1.50 a year ADVERTISING DEPARTMENT: P. O. BOX 7, WOOLSEY STATION — LONG ISLAND CITY 5, N. Y. Entered as Second Class Matter at the Post Office at Detroit, Michigan-under the Act of March 3, 1879. MEMORABLE EVENTS MEMORIAL CELEBRATION HELD IN PITTSBURGH Presentation of two heroes’ portraits. Nearly 500 guests filled to capacity the great hall of the Verhovay Home in Hazelwood, Pittsburgh, Pa., on the evening of Sunday, April 22, 1945. It was Branch 34’s turn at that time, to pay tribute to the two heroic dead members of this Branch, and their families. The first member of Branch 34 to pay the Supreme Sacrifice was Pfc. Zoltán Hodermarszky, 23rd heroic dead of the Verhovay, who died in Italy, on October 13, 1943. The second was Sgt.. Julius Malok, U.S. Marine Corps, 78th Verhovayan to lose his life in this war, who was killed in action in the Pacific theatri of war on July 24, 1944. The veiled portraits of these two heroes were placed on the stage, between the Star Spangled banner and the Marine Flag. Three girls in Hungarian costumes stood at attention beside the portraits. Branch-manager Alexander Simonyak opened the memorial celebration, greeted the guests and asked the Rev. F. W. Rettmann, pastor_ of the First_ Hungarian Lutheran Church of Pittsburgh, Pa., member of Branch 34, editor of the Verhovay Journal, to act as Master of Ceremonies and then the audience rose and sang the National Anthem accompanied by Mr. Elmek Klimko, organist of St. Ann’s Roman Catholic Church. The Master of Ceremonies then called upon Supreme Secretary Coloman Révész to address the audience. In his stirring address Mr. Revesz pointed out that these heroes died true to the tradition of Michael Kovats, commanding general in Washington’s army whose slogan teas ‘‘Loyalty unto death’’. Thvy died, as he did, on the field of battle having served their country with unswerving loyalty —•• unto death. Mr. Revesz was followed by Deputy Auditor Mrs. Lawrence Lauranchok, nee Emma Phillips, who spoke of the heroism of the soldiers on the field that must be matched by those who remain on the Home Front so that we, at home, may be as willing to accept the inevitable as they are ready to give up their lives in doing their duty. Then Supreme President John Bencze, went to the stage, accompanied by Colonel Simon, U.S. Marine Corps, and Captain Longfelder, U.S. Army who took their place at the side of the pictures. Mr. Bencze was vasibly moved as he addressed the audience presenting the two portraits to Branch 34 as a token of the gratitude of the membership of the Association toward our heroic dead and the families who lost them. He turned to the portraits and, first, unveiled the portrait of Sgt. Julius Malok. It was heartrending to hear his mother’s cry: “My Son, My Son!’’ , and a stir went through the audience when his life-like portrait appeared in the flood-lights of the stage. Then Mr. Bencze unveiled the portrait of Zoltán Hodermarszky which brought put the same sad call from the mother of this hero. Colonel Simon, then, presented the famly of Julius Malok with the portrait expressing his sympathy in behalf of the U. S. Marine Corps. Captain Longfelder presented to the parents of Pfc. Hodermarszky the portrait of Zoltán speaking eloquently of the heroism of our soldiers and the sacrifices they are called upon to make. Mr. Szalanczy would have been the next speaker but he was called away to New York on official business and, therefore, could not attend the memorial celebration. The Rev. Father Dizmacsek, of St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church delivered an address dealing with the purposes of this war and the problems of the coming peace the solution of which depends to a great extent on the Conference in San Francisco. Turning to the mourning families, he mentioned that both young men belonged to his church and assured them that their death meant a personal loss to him. The Rev. Louis Varga, pastor of the First Hungarian Reformed Church of Pittsburgh, Pa., had deeply moving words for the families of the two heroes and for the entire audience. He declared to be convinced that this World War would be the last war on earth, and, herefore, no one died in vain who gave his life for the lasting peace that is near. Expressing his firm belief in the resurrection he comforted the crying members of the two families that those who live in faith, shall meet again their loved ones who were torn away from them too soon. The representatives of the 15th Ward Service League, the Fort Blake Post American Legion, and Martin O. Donnal, commander of the Veterans’ Post addressed the audience praising the Verhovay for perpetuating the memory of our heroes and assuring the audience that the Veterans’ Organizations are ready and prepared to assist all returning veterans. Ensign Toth was the last speaker whose kind words were received warmly. Between the speeches appropriate musical numbers and songs were offered by Frank Szappanos of the Hungarian Radio Program, Julia Orosz, Joseph Gerő, and Peter Hazi, the latter of Minessen, Pa. Finally the Master of Ceremonies addressed the mourning families speaking of the wounds that cannot heal and so we must learn to live with them . . . of the gratitude which we must feel for the lives of our loved ones for as long as they were with us . , . and then called upon George Mészáros, manager of Branch 34, to deliver the closing address. Mr. Mészáros, too, expressed his deepest sympathy in behalf of Branch 34, and also thanked all who attended. The Hungarian National Anthem was sung by the audience and then tea and doughnuts were served by the ladies of Branch 34. It was a deeply moving occasion which will be remembered for many years by the hundreds who came to pay tribute to the heroic dead of Branch 34 and, thereby, express 'their sincere sympathy with the bereaved families. * * * PORTRAIT PRESENTATION IN LEECHBURG. PA. APRIL 21, 1945 Verhovay Journal Branch 172, Leechburg, Pa., paid tribute to the heroic dead member of this Branch, Stephen Peter Garay, at a memorial celebration attended by Supreme President John Bencze, who presented the family of this hero with the portrait, the gift of the Association. The celebration began at eight o’clock and was attended by many Americans and American- Hungarians from Leechburg and vicinity. Stephen Szendrey, President of Branch 172, welcomed the visitors with a warm address and praised the Verhovay F. I. Association for perpetuating the memory of our heroic dead by having their portraits made by one of the greatest artists in this field. He was sure, the President said, that these portraits will be a source of comfort to every family which will receive them. Then he called upon Mr. Louis Cincel, District Manager, to act as master of ceremonies. Mr. Cincel, District Manager, greeted the fellow-members and guests attending the memorial celebration. He thanked them for coming to express their sympathy to the family which had suffered such a heart breaking loss. Then the audience sang the National Anthem. The Rev. Father Eugene Horvath was the main speaker of the ocassion. In his address, he paid tribute to Stephen Peter Garay, who sacrificed his life in order that his comrades may achieve victory. This young man, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Garay nee Mary Fiasko, died in action on the North Atlantic on August 8, 1943, while serving as a gunner on a Merchant Marine vessel which was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine. He was the 19th heroic dead member of our Association. The Rev. Father Horvath spoke highly of the Verhovay for having the portraits of the heroic dead Verhovayans made and presented to the bereaved families as a gift of the Association and as a lasting token of the sympathy of the membership. He said he felt proud of being a member of the Verhovay which practices brotherly love in such unselfish manner. In the tone of true sympathy and understanding, he asked the Garay family to accept the decision of God and to find comfort in the faith that they shall meet in the Great Beyond with him who was so dear to them and to all American-Hungarians of Leechburg. Following the deeply moving address of Father Horvath, Supreme President John Bencze unveiled the portrait of Stephen Peter Garay and presented it to the family in whose behalf Father Horvath expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Association. A deeply moving address was delivered by Mr. Peter Mozta, a member of our Association and a good old friend of the Garay family, who has two sons fighting overseas. He assured the bereaved family that all American-Hungarians of Leechburg sympathize with them in their sorrow and that they shall always preserve the memory of this well-beloved young man. The memorial celebration was closed by Branch President Stephen Szendrey who presented a bouquet to the Garay family, explaining that since the Branch could not place flowers on the grave of this young man, they are given to the parents as a token of the sincere sympathy of Branch 172. We are certain that the mourning parents found a source of comfort in the kindness and sympathy of the membership of the Association which found an expression in the presentation of this portrait. * * * TRIBUTE PAID TO TWO GREAT OLD VERHOVAYANS SHARON, PA. APRIL 21, 1945 There is an exceptionally beautiful Hungarian Home in Sharon, Pa., which was filled to capacity on Saturday, the 21st of April, when Branch 26, of Sharon, Pennsylvania, and Branch 171, of Sharpsvtlle, Pennsylvania, held a joint dance for the benefit of the American Red Cross. Judging from the great number of people attending this dance, we are sure that these two branches have made a substantial contribution towards the great work done by the Red Cross. The importance of the occasion received additional emphasis by the fact that two old Branch officers were to be ■ decorated with the Verhovay medal and presented with the Verhovay citation by Mr. Frank Brogley, Director, in behalf of the Board of Directors of the ^Association. The names of these two men, May 9, 1945 Stephen Sweighart and Thomas Kuti, should be remembered by all Verhovayans, for these two men had served the Verhovay in the capacity of Branch officers for nearly fifty years. It is because of this unparallelled record that the Supreme Officers planned to attend this occasion in a body; however, Supreme President John Bencze had to attend the portrait presentation in Leechburg, Pa., and Supreme Treasurer, John Szalanczy was called to New York on official business. Since the Branch was not informed of this plan which was intended as a surprise, it was nevertheless a pleasant surprise to the officers and the members of Branch 26, when Supreme Secretary Coloman Revesz, Mrs. George Lauranchek nee Emma Phillips, Deputy Auditor, and Reverend F. W. Rettmann, Editor of the Journal, arrived in order to express the appreciation of the Verhovay membership to these two great Verhovayans, who really have dedicated their lives to the cause our Association stands for. The orchestra of Medve and Szikora, was already playing the lovely Hungarian tunes when the guests from Pittsburgh arrived. However, since the presentation of the citation was planned for a later hour, the guests visited the hospitable house of Branch Manager Thomas Kuti where they were soon joined by Director Frank Brogley, Joseph Turner, Director from Youngstown, Ohio, and District Manager Frank Brogley, District Manager Nicholas Takacs and Joseph Nemes, President of Branch 26, a youthful man of the second generation who is well remembered by the Convention delegates from his work as recording secretary of the Committee dealing with the amendments to the by-laws. Many years have passed over the gray head of Branch Manager Kuti and the burdens of these years seem to weigh down his shoulders a bit but he still has a youthful Hungarian handshake for all his guests and there is still the old fire in his eyes when he speaks of the Association. After a while, the entire company drove out in two cars to the home of Mr. Stephen Sweighart, former President of the Branch, an officer of the Branch for nearly fifty years, who could not attend the presentation held at the Hungarian Home due to his serioys illness. It was decided, therefore, to present him with the citation and the medal at his home. Mr. Joseph Nemes, Branch President, took matters into his able hands,upon arriving at Mr. Sweighart’s home. First, he himself spoke to Mr. Sweighart, expressing the appreciation of the entire Branch for all he has done for the growth and the development of this Branch during the five decades of his Verhovay activities and promised to uphold the tradition made by him and to be a worthy successor to him in the office of Branch President. Then he called upon Supreme Secretary Coloman Revesz who greeted the old Branch officer and conveyed to him the warmest regards of those Supreme Officers who could not be present. (Continued on Page 5) j.
