Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
VOL. XXVIII. JUNE 27, 1945 NO. 12. INDEPENDENCE Independence means the state of freedom from control by others. It means freedom, selfgovernment. Never before has this idea meant more than it does to our generation. For we have seen nations enslaved, the dignity of humanity annihilated, thought oppressed. We have seen free people overrun by the hordes of war-lords and tortured with such cruelty as never was paralleled before in human history. Our century brought the greatest threat against liberty to the nations of the h oi Id. The issues that have led our fore-fathers to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, seem almost insignificant in comparison with the conflict of our age. But, just for that reason, we must be even more thankful to those who made the United States independent, for it is due to the 169 year old tradition of national independence that our nation was able to meet the greatest danger that ever threatened the very foundations of our national existence. It would be foolish for anyone to imagine that we joined this war only because we felt called to liberate the oppressed people of Europe, Africa and Asia. The fact is that we could retain our independence only if we were willing to fight for the liberty of others. For fascism in any of its forms means to create a world-order contrary to the principles of American freedom. Left alone to develop its hold on an ever increasing number of nations, the fascist powers u'ould have succeeded in strangling America, both economically and politically. Even if they would not have attempted to occupy our land—which admittedly was their aim—they would have made impossible the retaining of the American way of life. For these reasons America had to go to the distant continents to fight once more for independence. The liberation of the oppressed people is only incidental to our victory over the dark forces that vowed to wipe out democracy, self-government, individual liberty and equality. It is important that we be conscious of these facts. Current events indicate that not all of the liberated people will remain free. In many instances, the war-weary people of liberated countries again took up their weapons to fight against each other. If our aim in this war had been only the liberation cf oppressed people, we couldn’t help but feel bitterness because of the seeming futility of our sacrifices. But if we realize that w7e have been fighting and sacrificing for America and that by wiping out the enemies of democracy, we have protected OUR independence, then such feeling of bitterness will not arise in our minds. Then we will realize that we are now winning the Second American War of Independence. The yuung men who died on the shores of Africa, Sicily, Italy, Normandy, New Guinea, Tarawa, Saipan, Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa—they gave their lives for America’s Independence. The fact that they died on distant continents, overshadows the real issue in the mir.ds of many citizens of cur country. Yet, it was only a matter of fore-sight and wisdom that we went out to attack the enemy in his own stronghold instead of waiting for him to first economically strangle us and then to attack us. Therefore, on the 4th of July, we shall pay tribute to the American heroes who died for America, for American independence, for the preservation of the American way of life. They have defended our democratic system against the external enemies. Now it is up to us to cherish, to use, to practice, to preserve and to defend this system against internal enemies of which there are many. An indifferent disregard of our privileges and obligations and the giving up of the principle of self-government represents as much danger to our system as does the resulting aggrandizement of the power of political machines and the bossism of self-appointed tyrants. And such defense of our system must begin—in our own fraternal circles! E3S8 l JOSEPH BUMBULUCZ BURIED IN FARREL, PA. The chairman of the Auditing Committee. Joseph Bumbulucz, who passed away suddenly on June 14th in Pittsburgh, Pa., where he was stricken while working for the Verhovay, was buried on June 18th, Monday, in Farrel, Pa. The funeral was most impressive because of the great host of friends who hurried to bid farewell to one of the best known and well beloved personalities of the Verhovay. His body was laid out in Sharpsville, Pa., at Love’s Funeral Home! The beautiful casket was surrounded by an ocean of flowers, the expressions of sorrow for the departed friend and of sympathy for his family. The moving ceremonies began at 10:15, the Rev. Father Jeromos, Roman Catholic priest of Farrel officiating. Before the body was moved, Supreme President John Bencze stepped forward and spoke in his own as weil as the association’s behalf. His sorrowing words moved to tears all who attended the funeral. Several times he had to stop when the tears welled up in his eyes. The sudden tragedy was a terrible shock for him, too. Then the body was taken tc the Holy Trinity Church in Farrel, Pa. Pallbearers were the old faithful friends and co-workers of the late Joseph Bumbulucz: John Bencze, Supreme President, John Szalanczy, Supreme Treasurer, Coloman Revesz, Supreme Secretary, John P. Kelemen, director, Ernest Kunstadt, member and now chairman of the Auditing Committee and Andrew Hankoczky, manager of Branch 249, Dayton, O., of which Joseph Bumbulucz was a member. The holy Mass was read in the Holy Trinity Church and then the procession moved to the Roman Catholic Cemetery where the last remains were committed. Among the great number of fellowmembers and friends we noted, in addition to the pallbearers mentioned above, Mrs. George Lauranchok, Deputy Supreme Auditor, Mr. Joseph Szalay from Cleveland, O., Mr. Frank Brogley and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Turner from Youngstown, O., Mr. and Mrs. John Korosfoy from Alliance, O., Joseph Bumbulucz, president, John Feedler. manager, John Bumbulucz, recording secretary, John Kimpan, comptroller, officers of Branch 171, Sharpsville, Pa. At this occasion the deepest sympathy of the membership of the Verhovay F. I. A., is expressed to Mrs. Joseph Bumbulucz, nee Mary Amerling, who lost her beloved husband just one month before their 35th wedding anniversary, and to their children: Mrs. William Lochner and family, Mrs. George Massie and family, Joseph Bumbulucz, Jr., and family and Mary Jane Bumbulucz. May they find some measure of comfort in the assurance that his life was spent in working for others. His was the unselfish life of a loving husband, a devoted father and a great humanitarian to whom the Verhovay membership will forever be indebted, for few have done more for the growth of the Association and for the developing of the fraternal spirit within the membership, than this enthusiastic fraternalist. His example stands before us like a shining beacon. He left us early, at the age of 55, when others still keep on working and planning for a future which was denied to him. But that is not his loss for he went home to his heavenly father to receive his eternal reward ... the loss is that of his widow, his children and that of the Association which he helped to build. His memory will remain with us as that of a great friend, a true comrade, a great soul, whose devotion, kindly humor and patient understanding had endeared him to all. May he rest in peace ! Auditing Committee Chairman Dies While Performing Duty By JOLÁN LUCAS Pittsburgh, Pa. There is a heap of truth in the old proverb that man’s best-laid plans often go awry. What a great deal of new experiences were planned by your Junior Auditor for the current audit! The enjoyment of introducing the Skipper to the Smoky City which spreads out over the beautiful hills of Pittsburgh, had been planned in every detail since the kid’s thirteenth birthday. I looked forward to the pride which would be mine when I took him to the Home Office to meet the Supreme Officials, the Home Office Force and my two partners on the Auditing Committee, This delightful anticipation, in addition to the always interesting work of the Committee, was marred by tragedy— unexpected tragedy which struck on a warm, sunny June afternoon. Monday morning, June 11th, Mr. Joseph Bumbulucz, Mr. Ernest Kunstadt and your Ferret met at the Home Office to begin the second quarterly audit. Exchanging news about branch matters, mutual acquaintances and the many events which naturally happen in everyday life, it never occurred to any cf us that this efficient and very congenial trio would be split asunder by the Hand of Death. Thursday morning, Mr. Bumbulucz didn’t show up at the Home Office at his usual time, and since our Chairman had a reputation for punctuality, a feeling of uneasiness crept over us. What could be keeping our patient and kindly co-worker? About the time our fear had reached its height, Director John P. Kelemen, who was enroute to Dayton from New York, stopped in at the Home Office. Since the two men were veryclose friends of long standing, our Director rushed to the Hotel Keystone and asked the management to open the door to Mr. Bumbulucz’s room. Our Chairman was found in a coma, due to cerebral hemorrhage, which after several hours of unconsciousness, resulted in his death shortly before five P. M. at the West Penn Hospital where the patient was taken. It was a comfort to know that Brother Bumbulucz did not suffer much prior to his death. In the presence of his wife and family who were hurriedly summoned, and also his close friends, Supreme Officials John Bencze, Coloman Revesz, and John Szalaftczy, he peacefully began the long journey from which there is no return. Our fraternal brother was a real Verhovay member in every sense of the word. He loved his family devotedly and his Verhovay work was second only to this primary devotion. He worked hard for our association, and also in conjunction with this, for all American-Hungarians. The second and third generation Verhovay members lost a staunch friend in Mr. Bumbulucz. For years his aim (which is also Branch 429’s aim) was to bring the older and younger members into one cooperative group. He had become a constant reader of our new and improved Verhovay Journal and had stated repeatedly that the diplomatic and explanatory editorial articles which have appeared in the past year are helping to bring to members a closer understanding of the aims of our Association. During his free moments, my colleague gave me many ideas whereby a happy fraternal life could be turned to good business. There is more to selling fraternalism than just preaching it—it must be practised at all times, even during periods of great personal disappointment. Yes, Brother Bumbulucz will be deeply missed by his many friends throughout the country. I lost a very goed friend whose patient explanations regarding auditing work and numerous other important matters pertaining to V. work were given with encouragement to prove to all of us that there is a great future ahe::d for the children of the founders of the VFIA. Mr. Bumbulucz leaves his widow, his son and three daughters, and his beloved grandchildren. His body rests in a little Hungarian cemetery in Farell, Pa., but though death has taken him, his memory will linger with those friends who helped him through his far-reaching and, oftentimes difficult, work. The Verhovay lost an efficient and understanding co-worker— his family lost a thoughtful and devoted husband and father. It has been very difficult to express in words the deep sense of loss that we, cf the Auditing Committee and the Verhovay organization in general, experienced at the passing of our fellow-member. However, we feel that our associations with him will bear fruit and will not have been in vain. Dear Brother Bumbulucz: May your soul rest in peace!
