Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)

1945 / Verhovay Journal

August 8, 1945

NEWS from the FIELD

age 2____________________________Verhovay Journal

“WE DIDN’T HAVE WEAPONS. BUT WHAT OF IT? THE ENEMY HAD PLENTY”

(Continued from Page 1) - “WE DIDN’T HAVE ANY WEAPONS, BUT WHAT OF IT? THE ENEMY HAD PLENTY...”

When the ovation ceased, Hon. Ben H. Ashworth, Judge of the Circuit Court spoke as the representative of Hon. Senator Kilgore. Greeting Capt. Gyovai he praised his accomplishments. At the same time he pointed out that the humane colonial policy of the United States was rewarded by the heroic resistance of the Philippino people. Had our government followed a policy similar to that pursued by many other nations, the situation would have been different to the detriment of our heroes who stayed on Luzon.

Dr. Tibor Kerekes, Executive Secretary of the American Hungarian Federation, was the next speaker who expressed his admiration of Captain Gyovai in behalf of all American citizens of Hungarian descent. He praised the parents of the hero who reared a man of such high caliber. His deeds prove that Mr. and Mrs. John Gyovai, the parents of the Captain, brought up their great son in the love of America, the country that adopted them as its citizens. He paid moving tribute to Sgt. James Gyovai and Pfc. John Nagy whose pictures were to be presented to their families pn this occasion. Then he presented Captain Gyovai with the golden pin of the American Hungarian Federation. His address was received with great enthusiasm by the audience.

Then, Miss Pauline Haddad sang, accompanied by Mrs. Mc- Neely. The warmly received rendition was followed by Mr. Win. Blizzard, chairman of the 17th District of the United Mine Workers organization, who represented the president of the Miners’ Union, Mr. John L. Lewis. State Senator Alney M. Hall greeted the hero in behalf of the statelegislature. Hon. H. Morgan, Mayor of Whitesville, W. Va., welcomed Captain Gyovai as the great son of his city. Mr| Joseph B. Beidenmiller, chief treasurer of the Glogora Coal Company, praised the patriotic achievements of the immigrant population and lauded the untiring loyalty of the adopted citizens Who contributed a great deal to the nation’s war effort. In behalf of the Glogora Coal Company, lie presented Captain Gyovai with a War Bond.

Supreme Secretary Coloman Revesz addressed the celebrity as the official representative of the Verliovay F. I. Association. In his speech he compared him to Col. Michael de Kovats and Major Zagonyi, heroes of the American war for Independence, and emphasized that Captain Gyovai, and his many American Hungarian comrades, have upheld the traditions which are so characteristic of freedom-loving Hungarians whose outstanding descendant, Captain Gyovai, has written his name, by his glorious deeds, into the annals of American military history. He presented to Captain Gyovai the gift of the Verhovay, a wrist watch bearing the inscription: “To Capt. Frank Gyovai from the Verhovay F.I.A.”

Another musical rendition followed, then Mr. Piook, General Manager of the Glogora Coal Company, Red Dragon, W. Va., and Mr. Van B. Stith, Superintenden of the Anchor Coal Company extolled the soldierly virtues of the ex-miner who left

his job as a Private and returned as a Captain ...

Mr. F. J. Hughes, Superintendent of the Glogora Coal Company greeted the Captain in an unusual mannar by movingly reciting the poem which is reprinted on the first page of this issue under the picture of Capt. Gyovai.

Mr. Andrew Fay-Fisher, editor of the Hungarian Miners’ Journal warmly greeted the Captain and presented him with a beautifully bound copy of ’’Lincoln’s Hungarian Heroes” as his personal gift, and also with Kosary’s “History of Hungary,” a gift from the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America. Then he presented to the parents of Pfc. John Nagy the picture of the ambulance-plane which bears the name of their heroic son who died in the service of his country. (This plane was purchased by Verhovayans and miners during the Fifth War Bond campaign, when the Hungarian Miners’ Journal and the Verhovay F. I.Á., launched a joint campaign for war bond sales in memory of the first Verhovay miner who made the Supreme Sacrifice. The campaign was successful and the Pfc. John Nagy memorial ambulance plane serves the wounded comrades of Mt. Hope’s heroic dead Verhovayan.)

Mrs. Louis Gall, wife of the manager of Branch 482, presented to Captain Gyovai a beautiful brief-case, the gift of the branch of which he is a member.

Ed. Shibley, Commander of the American Legion’s local chapter greeted the Captain in behalf of the American Legion and Mrs. Louis Szuch brought him greetings from the members of Branch 25, of the Verhovay. John Bernath expressed the respects of the Beckley, W. Va., chapter of the American Hungarian Federation. Louis Cincel, District Manager, heartily welcomed the Captain and then Mr. Paul Fodor greeted the hero in behalf of his former fellow-miners, as the representative of Union Local 6529, of which Captain Gyovai also is a member.

The Master of Ceremonies introduced Mr. Louis tlzi, manager of Branch 248, Alexander Tar- 1 soly, manager of Branch 350, Steven Stitku, representative of Branch 343, and Moses Domokos, manager of Branch 509, of the Verhovay.

The celebration ended with the presentation of the two heroic dead Verhovay ans’ portraits. Supreme Secretary Coloman Revesz presented the portraits of Pfc. John Nagy and Sgt. James Gyovai to the bereaved families. In his simple but moving address he stated that the Board of Directors of the Association desired to pay tribute to, and preserve the memory of, those heroic members who sacrificed their lives in the defense of our country. “Wherever it was demanded by military necessities—he said— they lived, fought and died in loyal obedience and their names shall be preserved in the history of our country and in the records of Verhovay heroism.”

The portraits were unveiled ... and the deeply moved audience, which up to now cheered and applauded the returned hero, paid silent tribute to those who will never return ... the soft sobbing of the parents and relatives of the heroic dead brought tears into the eyes of the sympathetic audience which silently rose in tribute to these two Verhovayans... Mr. Joseph Ilaynal, officer of Branch 25, spoke the closing words and then the celebration ended with the singing of “God bless America.”

* * *

At six o’clock Branch 482, was the host to guests from distant localities at the Club-house in Red Dragon. An excellent supper was served. Mr. Joseph G. Beidenmiller, chief-treasurer of the Glogora Coal Company presented to Branch 482 a copy of the book: “Justice for Hungary!” with the request that it be read by all the members of that branch, but especially by Captain Frank Gyovai.

Members of Branch 482 bore all the expenses of this banquet.

Greetings from Mr. Joseph Szabó, manager of Branch 443, written in behalf of the membership of this branch, were read at this time.

An exquisite cigarette case was presented by Branch 482 to Major Connor who was deeply moved by the gesture and, thanking for it he said that it will always remind him of Branch 482 and the unforgettable home-coming celebration arranged by the two branches of the Verhovay.

if it I *

It was a memorable day for our fellow-members in the mining district and for the citizens of West Virginia. Their pride and joy is shared by all Verhovayans who will always remember Captain Gyovai as one of the greatest representatives of Americans of Hungarian descent.

With the sincere modesty of real heroes he did not feel well In the role of a celebrity. He does not think of himself as a hero. ‘T only did my duty ...”— he said. But we know that in doing so he went far beyond the line of duty. And he did even more than that. From the tale of Major Conner we came to know him as an example of unsurpassable tenacity, ingenuity, loyalty, comradeship and unselfishness. These admirable qualities together with his heroism, are the reason why we look up to him as to the personification of all that is pure and noble in the character of American Hungarians. And for that we owe him sincere gratitude. It is men like him, who prove to America that, immigrants are an invaluable asset to this nation. It is they Who prove to Americans of Hungarian descent that they have no reason to be ashamed of their Hungarian back-ground.

For all this, and more, we thank Captain Gyovai. But this “thank you” is not an expression of passing appreciation, it is the demonstration rather of lasting gratitude *Tor having exhibited the unwavering loyalty of all true American Hungarians and for having served our great country in a manner true to the noblest traditions of Hungary’s history ...

The wrist watch, presented to him by the Verhovay, is just a token of the gratitude which fills the hearts of all American Hungarians but, especially those of all Verhovayans, for being an example to all of us: an example of heroism, persistence, ingenuity, loyalty, friendship and modesty.

* * *

It is hard to find the closing word for this report. We wish we could find a word that would express our feelings and explain to you—Captain Gyovai—why this home-coming celebration has meant so much to us... much more perhaps than it meant to

CLEVELAND, OHIO ATTENTION

BRANCHES 14, 54, 361 AND 366!

Members of the branches 14, 54, 361 and 366, are herewith informed that a District Office' has been opened at the Verhovay Home, 8637 Buckeye Road, for their convenience. Office hours are daily, except Sundays, from ID A.M. to 1 P.M. and from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. and also on Mondays and Fridays between 7 and 9 P.M. Monthly dues can be paid, and all other official matters attended to, during the office hours. The members of the branches listed above are requested to visit the District Office during the office hours. All members who have no opportunity to pay their monthly dues at the monthly meetings, are urged to pay them at the District Office because the Home Office cannot acknowledge dues’ payments that have been made to a former officer or other members of the branches.

Only the managers of the resp. branches, or persons authorized to accept payments at the district office, are responsible for payments made by members and, therefore; payments should not be made to any other person. The Office has been opened f&r th9 convenience of the membership and the office hours had been arranged so- that the members will

you... But words cover so little of what we really feel and we only hope that these closing words convey to you something of the depth, sincerity and warmth of the feelings which we have for you ... And so, painfully realizing our limitations, we close with saying:

FOR ALL YOU ARE AND FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE: WE THANK YOU, CAPTAIN GYOVAI!

have no difficulties in taking care of their business at the District Office. Fraternally:

THE 6TH DISTRICT OFFICE.

DETROIT, MICH. BRANCH 443.

The following donations have been received by this branch for the “American Hungarian Relief, Inc.”: Steven Kuzma $5, Joseph Szabó $5, Steven Kuzma $1.25, Charles Berhoffer $5, Geza Pasternak $1, Frank Nemeth $2, Joseph Suhi $1, Joseph Gaschayi $1, Joseph Brody $2, Steven Gyure $1, Louis Osvath $2, Agnes Komloci $1, Nicholas Papp $1, Mrs. Harry Polgar $1, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Berghoffer $1, Irene Olah $1, Steven Gecze $1, Anna Chase $3, John Zsoldos $5.

Sincere appreciation is expressed for these donations. At the same time all members of branch 443 are urged to con* tribute to this noble cause.

JOSEPH SZABÓ, manager.

LOS ANGELES, CAL. BRANCH 525.

The office of branch-manager, which became vacant due to the resignation- of the former man’ ager, Albert Steinmetz, has been filled by the election of Dennis Kócs, 2620 Greenfield Avenue, West Los Angeles (34) Cal. Mr. Kócs has been a branch-officer, before, and the membership is assured that he will render expert and efficient service. All members of branch 525 are requested to pay their monthly dues and present all official matters to Mr. Kócs, the new man* ager of Branch 525.

ALEXANDER GYULAY, District Manager of California.

BUY U. S. WAR BOND & STAMPS