Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
Page 6 Verhovay Journal THE FERRE cai!ii»iiw V—J DAY HAPPINESS “The greatest contribution of a liberal is his influence on those who follow him”. Franklin Delano Roosevelt. V-J DAY—The greatest day in the history of mankind! Trying to write an article when the heart is loaded with the happiest feeling in the world isn’t too easy a job, so if this stuff rambles, please try to understand. It all started with the EXTRA which came out on Friday, August 10th. The whole world was trying to keep going at its usual pace, but an undercurrent of excitement mingled with the usual routine of the day. Will the Japs really surrender this time, or is it another sneak trick? The hours dragged on, the days slowly passed until our phone rang at 4:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 14th, requesting the presence of the Skipper at the newspaperstation. An Extra was coming out—the Japs were surrendering! Naturally, after that none of us could go back to sleep. Drove over to the station and already a dozen kids were trying to keep their exhuberant spirits under control. Your Ferret was the only mother there, but this was the closest I could get to the thrill of newspaper work—to get , the papers on the street as soon as possible. Waiting for the- truck which would deliver the papers, we tuned in the car radio and heard the shouts and merry-making going on in. Times Square in New York and in San Francisco. No celebrations in Detroit or Washington or other large cities as yet, but, hearing the hilarious crowds over the radio, it set off a kindred feeling in* our own hearts. The kids began yelling and ringing their bicycle bells, and banging on the doors in the neighborhood until the papers finally arrived. A sudden mad dash to get the first batch and then up and down streets shouting the glorious news. Home for breakfast and sitting with ears glued to the radio and forgetting about such things and housework NEWS----FROM THE FIELD (Continued from Page 5) his gypsy orchestra, of McKeesport, Pa. Everyone is invited! FRANK HOLBOK, manager of Branch 433. CLEVELAND, OHIO Branch 361 Members of the branch are notified herewith that the September meeting will be held on September 10th, Monday evening at 8 o’clock as the first Monday of the month will fall on Labor Day. The meeting will be held at the Verhovay Home, 8637 Buckeye Rd. Please note, that the following new officers had been elected by the branch: Mrs. Joseph Domokos, 2781 East 118th Street, manager, and Mrs. Peter Demchak, 9917 Mt. Auburn Ave., recording secretary. The fellow-members are requested to contact the new officers in all official matters. MRS. JOSEPH DOMOKOS, manager. and food or other, at the time, nonessentials. When it looked as though it really were to be V-J Day, there began an urgent rush to shop for necessary food and drinks. Walking down Vernor Highway, it could be sensed that something big was in the air. Cops were already arresting minor offenders . . . butchers and grocers were so tickled with the news and the huge crowds of shoppers, that they couldn’t keep their minds on their work . . . newsboys yelling . . . happy, smiling faces all over the street . . . smaller kids wondering what it was all about and adding their own ideas of how to celebrate whatever was going on... it was all the New Years’ Eves of a decade rolled into one. Then came the dampener . . . news received at the White House stated that the Jap sur render hadn’t come through as yet. Sensible Americans, realizing the little yellow tyrants couldn’t be trusted, slowly went back to a more normal way of life. Yet through all this, a tenseness was experienced. Trying to eat supper With ears amplified for news from the radio was a harrowing experience. Time dragged on until seven o’clock—the deadline for good or bad news. '/ O glorious news! It’s really true, it has finally happened at last. PEACE ON EARTH AND GOOD WILL TOWARDS MEN. Factory whistles, autos careening up peaceful streets, which wouldn’t be too peaceful in a little while, and finally the church bells pealing. As the Skipper told me, “Mom, it won’t really be over until the church bells ring.” I believe it was the melodius sound of the church bells ringing which finally brought home to us the significance of what it was all about. Sitting on xhe front porch steps, and being a part and parcel of the neighborhood celebrations, it dawned on all of us that what we were celebrating was more than a cessation of hostilities on the other side of the world. It meant that soon our boys would be home, those who didn’t sacrifice their lives to satisfy the brutality of half a dozen mademen ... it meant that perhaps millions of people could again sit on their front porch steps, just as we were sitting, and enjoy the sheer beauty of being alive. It meant that a new understanding must be developed for our fellowmen, that a repitition of such useless slaughter must never again be “celebrated” because certain tyrants forget how to be FRATERNALISTS. But to go on with more vivid impressions. The urge to go downtown to the City Hall was downed when the realization occurred to us that a merry, mad scramble was not particularly conducive to kids who were already overstrung with nervous tension. Naturally our own little corner of the world would put on a colorful show, so down again to the Avenue. Paper steamers and confetti were already transforming the sober business section into a miniature Mardi Gras. Traffic scrambles on the corner were Manager’s Son Serves in Philippines S. 1/C. Frank J. Molnár Jr. Frank J. Molnár, a member of Branch 514, Youngstown, Ohio, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Molnár (2130 Donald Avenue, Youngstown, O.) joined the Navy on January 15, 1945. Two months later he was sent overseas, to the Philippines where he recently received the Seaman First Class rating. Considering the unusually brief period of training his progress most be termed extraordinary, to say the least. His father is the manager of Branch 514. cheerfully unscrambled by motorists who weren’t going anywhere in particular anyway, but just out to let the other fellows know how glad they were the war was over. Half a dozen kids’ parades headed by domineering youngsters whose ideas of parades were plenty of noise and color, were already in progress. A couple of kids got hold of mannequin and lopped off its head, creating an effigy of Tojo “losing face”. Everybody was kissing anybody who didn’t slap back . . . tin-cans tied to cars added to the confusion of horns blowing and auto horns tooting in ever increasing volume . . . bottles were casually passed around to anyone who wanted a drink . . . smiling was the keynote of the celebrating. Back home to drink with the neighbors, phone calls coming in by the dozen to come to a party, and after sitting on the kids until they finally fell asleep, participation in a couple of these Victory Parties was keenly enjoyed. Immediate results of the war’s end was the lifting of gasoline rationing. It was noted with humorous comments that neighborhood cars which hadn’t left the protection of garages for some time, were out on the streets, kicking up their heels like a little puppy dog who had been tied up for ages. Sweet words, “Fill ’er up” were repeated throughout the country. Already the ladies are planning on how many pairs of nylon hose they’ll be tucking away in scented drawers. The thought occurs to many women, “wonder if I’ll have to stand in line to get soap chips much longer?” Pops are planning on the new model in cars, kids are seriously longing for new bikes and electric trains. Hurray, more new shoes and good ones too, not those uncomfortable unrationed ones. Oh golly, it feels like ten Christmases, and New Years Eves’, and honeymoons and all the good things in the world. Thank God for Peace! August 29, 1945 HOMESTEAD PAYS TRIBUTE TO MEMORY OF FLYER HOMESTEAD, PA., AUGUST 19, 1945 It was the Sunday designated by President Truman as the day of Thanksgiving for Victory and Peace. Throughout the nation millions crowded the churches to praise God for the Victory of our armed forces. It was the day of serene joy and happy expectation for millions of parents, wives and sweethearts... the day on which the deafening roar, of exulting masses melted into the soft murmur of prayers ascending to God from the trembling lips of innumerable millions. For many, however, the joy of this day was covered by the veil of mourning. The bells, ringing in victory, had a sombre undertone for them. The cheers qf the people reached their hearts like a faint echo. Victory could not replace their loss, it could only render some measure of comfort in the assurance that, after all, their loved ones, have not died in vain... These mourners were lonesome people during the week of rejoicing. There were few who could repress their joy in respect of the mourners’ sadness and those, who had paid by their loss the price of victory, felt strange and forsaken ini the midst of cheering humanity. But not so in Homestead where an impressive crowd of sympathetic fellow-members and friends gathered in the Hall of the Self Culture Club to pay tribute to Edward Ivan, a former member of Branch 89. and to share the sox-row of his mourning family. Sergeant Ivan Edwai'd, the 102nd heroic dead member of the Association, was lix'st reported missing in aerial action over Czechoslovakia on August 24, 1944. This report was soon followed by another one informing his mother that he was killed in action on the same day. That the memorial celebration was held just five days before the first aruniversax'y of his death, added to the poignancy of the occasion. By three o’clock the hall was filled and Mr. John Elek, president of Branch 89 delivered the opening address which he ended by calling upon District Manager Louis Cincel to act as Master of Ceremonies. Mr. Cincel, speaking in English, paid tribute to the heroism of our young men who gave their lives for the greatest cause of mankind. Miss Julia Orosz sang the national anthem and then the Rev. Ft. Stephen Nyiri offered prayer. Mr. Revesz was the first guest-speaker. He described the important role played during this war by Verhovayans on the' battlefronts as well as on the home-front. Then he described the ten-ihle misery of Hungai-y’s people and emphasized that liberation from want is as important as liberation from tyranny. Ivan Edward died not only for America, he died for the liberty of all nations. The work begun by him must be continued by us who survived this war. After a song rendered by Miss Orosz, the Rev, Father Stephen Nyiri addressed the audience. Speaking as a priest, he praised the sacrifices brought for the sake of liberty ... Then he spoke as an immigrant citizen, recalling the beauties of the old country which has been ruined by war ... He called upon the audience to support the American Hungarian Relief Movement but also pointed out that more than financial assistance must be rendered to the Hungarian people. He mentioned bitterly the burden of war-damages imposed to Hungary and spoke highly of the movement which, supported by many Americans of Hungarian descent, hopes to secure the intervention of Russia’s Ambassador for the cancelling of this huge penalty. Frank Watson, Jr., Vice-Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Allegheny County, praised the heroism of our soldiers. Supreme Treasurer John Szalanczy, spoke of the peace which follows this war. We must win the peace or else our glorious victory will lose its meaning. But the peace can be won only if the principles of the Atlantic Charter are applied to all nations and if, at the same time, the living-standard of the laboring masses will be l-aised. We, as individuals, can do little for the realization of these aims, nevertheless, we, too, have an important task before us and that is the rendering of assistance to the Hungarian nation. Emmet Smith, Commander of the American Legion Post 373, spoke highly of the contributions made by immigrant citizens in the course of the war. His address wasi followed by Frank Szappanos, popular radio-singer whose perfoi-rnance drew great applause. Then Supreme President John Bencze arose and spoke of the fraternal understanding of Verhovayans who express their sympathy to the bereaved families of heroic dead fellow-membei's by presenting to them the portraits of their loved ones. Visibly moved, he unveiled the porti'ait of Edward Ivan ... taps were sounded in the adjoining room ... teai-s filled the eyes of all. . Miss Orosz sang “God bless America” which was followed by 1 the closing address of Mr. Charles Kun, president of the Self Culture Club, and the the Hungarian National Anthem, sung by Miss Orosz apd the audience. The musical inumbers were accompanied by Guszti Horvath and two members of his orchestra. Mrs. Ivan, the mother of Edward, is ill and could not attend the memorial celebration and, therefore, the portrait was accepted in her behalf by the brother and the relaives of the hero. Following the program, the representatives of the Veterans’ organizations and the Supreme Officers were the guests of branch 89. It is regrettable that the nearby Verhovay branches were not represented on this occasion, The only exception was the manager of Branch 152, East Pittsburgh, Pa., Mr. John Orosz, whose presence was sincerely appreciated. To the officers of Branch 89 we express our sincere thanks for the excellent arrangements made for this deeply moving memorial celebration.
