Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
June 27, 1945 Verhovay Journal Page 5 PORTRAIT PRESENTATION IN CANTON, OHIOFRATERNALIST WINS CANDIDACY Verhovayans of Canton and Massillon, Ohio, held a joint memorial celebration in honor of two heroic dead members of our Association on June 10, Sunday afternoon, in the Canton Music Hall. Stephen Mikstay, Manager of Br. 391, opened the meeting and then requested the Rev. Frank Nagy, Reformed Pastor, to act as master of ceremonies. After the National anthem was sung by the audience, John Szász, Manager of Br. 47, Deacon of the Baptist Church, offered prayer, then the Rev. Frank Nagy called upon Deputy Auditor Emma Phillips (Mrs. George Laurenchok) to speak in behalf of the second generation members and the soldiers’ wives. Her stirring message impressed the audience deeply. Then Judge Schweitzer spoke of the loyalty of American-Hungarians and praised the Verhovay for perpetuating the memory of its heroic dead by having their portraits painted and presented to the bereaved families. Mrs. Erma Jacob rendered a song and recited a poem which was followed by the portrait presentation. Mr. John Szalanczy, Supreme Treasurer, spoke in behalf of the Home Office and Board of Directors. He pointed out that historians remember the national leaders who declare wars and map the strategy but names of those who fight in battles and die in them are forgotten by posterity. The Board of Directors of our Association felt that they wanted to perpetuate the memory of those who heroically fought and died in the defense of their country, therefore, these portraits have been painted, perpetuating the youthful smile and attractive features of these soldiers so that they shall remain like that forever before their families. Mr. Szalanczy faced the families of the two heroic dead Verhovayans who were honored at this occasion and the sorrow reflected in their faces made it difficult for him to deliver his speech which was followed by taps rendered by the Veterans of the First World War, during which Hungarian girls dressed in Hungarian national costume, unveiled the portraits of Stephen Varga and Alexander L. Kövesei. Stephen Varga, a member of Br. 360, of Massilon, Ohio, was killed in action at the age of 29 on November, 15, 1943, in Italy at Cassino. When the Manager of Branch 360 gave the portrait to his brother, he sang the favorite song of his brother, mentioning with tears in his eyes, that when the hero was home, they had often sung this song together. Stephen Varga lost his parents at the age of 3 and his brother brought him up who, together with his wife, was just like father and mother to him. It Was heart-rending to see the sorrow of this hero’s brother and sister-in-law whose grief affected the entire audience. Alexander L. Kövesei, a member of Br. 391, of Canton, Ohio, Was killed in action in France August 8, 1944. The unveiling of his portrait was a tragic moment surpassing even the one preceding it for this portrait was presented to this widow, who sat there with her three children, one boy and two girls, all of them of exceptional beauty. Alexander Kövesei married the former Irene Sabo in 1934. Only one of his children may remember him well. The other two will only know him from his portrait. The portrait was given to the widow by the Manager of Br. 391, who recited his own poem written for this occasion in honor of the widow and her three children. The entire audience wept with the widow for her and the three children who had lost husband and father. After the unveiling, District Manager Nicholas Takacs spoke expressing his sympathy to the bereaved and then he presented the visitors: Michael Simo, District Manager,, Elmer Novak, President of Branch 64, John Bandy, Manager of Br. 64, Tivadar Vecsei, Recording Secretary of Branch 64, John Mazalin, former Manager of Branch 64, John Szász, Manager of Branch 47, all of Canton, Ohio, furthermore Denes Mateffy, Manager of Branch 360 of Massillon Louis Vassy, of Cleveland, Ohio and the outstanding personalities of American-Hungarian public life from Canton and Massillon. John Korosfoy, Director of Alliance, Ohio, delivered a moving address paying tribute to the fallen heroes and to their mourning families and then the Rev. Frank Nagy made a closing address which was a beautiful expression of both Christian faith and fraternalism. The Reverend Nagy is a member of our Association and he participated with the deepest sympathy in this celebration, which .ended with the singing of the American anthem. A banquet followed the portrait presentation in the evening .for the benefit of the Hungarian Relief movement. After the banquet, the Mayor of Canton delivered an address which in depth of thought, sincerity of emotion and scope of understanding surpassed anything we ever heard. Referring to an article which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post, he called the attention of the audience to the starving Hungarian children. He said “We have no right to deny these children food because we want selfishly to retain our luxuries. We call ourselves Christians but we are not Christians if we are not willing to do what Christ expects us to do. Regardless of where or in which country these starving children live they are human beings with the same desires and hopes and ideals in their hearts which we cherish. The time of hate and selfishness has passed. The same things should live in our hearts that led Christ for only then we shall have peace. But if we will not follow His way then our heroes died in vain for the misery of these nations will result in a new war. The victorious conclusion of this war must be followed by an effort to assist these nations. If we fail to do this, then we have already lost the peace for which we had to pay such a high price.” The address made a very deep effect on the audience which was only strengthened by the following speech which was given by Supreme Treasurer, John Szalancy: “I remember — he said — how we in our childhood dressed up in our best on Sunday to gladly go to church. The people of Hungary today have nothing best in which to dress up—in fact, they have nothing at all, just rags. The terrible poverty of the Hungarian people must be alleviated by us.” Mr. Szalanczy pointed out that even native Americans feel moved by the tragedy of Hungarians in Hungary to contribute to the Relief movement. Therefore, we have no right to listen to gossip or to underhanded arguments. We can listen only to the voice of our own conscience and our conscience reminds us that we all have relatives in Hungary, relatives who are starving and perish together with entire nation. We cannot forsake them. The independence of Hungary can be secured only if we do everything in order to help the people to stand on their own feet. Judge Schweitzer and Walter Febry, Director of the Canton Public Works, spoke in the same vein. We see the greatest significance of this celebration in the fact that American leading personalities unanimously declared that the victorious conclusion of this war must be followed by the assisting of the improverished people on our'part. We will have won victory in vain if we leave the people to perish because by that we will guilty of permitting the forces working for a new war to develop. Starving people cannot be pillars of international peace. Our soldiers have given their blood and their lives for victory but by attaining victory only half of the job is done. If this war is not followed by generous assistance on our part then the sacrifices of our heroes will have been in vain. The Committee did a wonderful job in arranging the details of this celebration. The beautifully decorated stage drew many complimentary remarks. The group of Veterans, the girls in Hungarian costumes, the flowers under the portraits made a beautiful scene. The efforts of the officers of the two branches are sincerely appreciated and they have done everything to make this occasion a symbol of fraternalism. The officers of the participating branches as well as the members of the Committee deserve all praise for they have made the joint celebration of Canton and Massillon an unforgettable event for the Verhovayans of this territory.-----------------v---------------- i The great task of the peace is to work morals into it. The only sort of peace that will be real is one in which everybody takes his share of responsibility. World organizations and conferences will be of no value unless there is improvement in the relation of men to men. Humanity cannot go forward, civilization cannot advance, except as the philosophy of force is replaced by that of human brotherhood. These two never can be reconciled, for they are postulated on altogether different and profoundly conflicting appraisals of human values. Wherever the philosophy of force establishes domination, civilization as we know it ends. Francis B. Sayre There is an increasing tendency among Fraternal organizations of various nationalities to draw closer together. This tendency will result in a strengthening of fraternalism and is, therefore, noted with great satisfaction. It is our pleasure to introduce to our membership an outstanding fraternalist who recently honored our Home Office with his visit. As a fellow fraternalist, Attorney R. Rhody Brenlove deserves the full support of Verhovayans. Attorney R. Rhody Brenlove, a fraternalist of long standing, has won his candidancy for Judge of County Court on the Democratic ticket. Mr. Brenlove is a product of the South Side, Pittsburgh, Pa., where he was born in 1905. His father and mother came to this country as immigrants from Yugoslavia. He has been Assistant County Solicitor since 1939, and is also Solicitor for the Penn Township School District, Assistant Legal Adviser to Draftees for County Board 8, and is Chief Counsel for the Serb National Federation. Mr. Brenlove was graduated from South High School, the University of Pittsburgh and the Pitt Law School. He was admitted to the practice of law in October, 1929 and was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court on November 16, 1942. He is married to the former Diana Vujnovic of Brentwood, formerly a teacher in the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and has one daughter, Mildred. They reside at 8915 Frankstown Road, Penn Township.------------V------------PVT. JOSEPH KUSTOS a member of Branch 36, Detroit, Mich., was inducted in February, 1942. He spent fifteen months in England and is now stationed somewhere in Germany. *---------V---------Bill’s wife is not speaking io him. What did he do this time? Died. One Nation Indivisible By Berton Braley Under these crosses are lying Men whom America wrought Living, they loved her, and dying Fell in the cause that she fought. Doherty, Bucci, Kaminsky, Grubel, Gerranti, De Saulié, Gundersen, Susock, Levinsky Swenson, — Americans all. 3! wj •i M Names of all nations and races, i Names that rouse wonder and mirth, —But men of one land that embraces The faith of all freedom on earth. Reiss, Diachenko, Sicinto, Polyglot names, but they’ve shown-*?. » *1 There was one land they were kin to; They were America’s own. — Kordas, Martinez, Van Hooven, —These are no “alien dust, , j These are the dead who have proven True to America’s trust; I For, where the cannon fire shatters, Where men must batle and fall, Names do not matter—THIS matters, “They were Americans all!” , j New York Herald Tribune j
