Verhovayak Lapja, 1946 (29. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1946 / Verhovay Journal
September 25, 1946 Verhovay Journal Page 3 Chicago’s Verhovay Heroes Honored by a Thousand (Continued from Page 2) flation, let’s do away with the black-market, let’s stop the strikes, let’s start working- and producing. Let’s stop criticizing, let’s start being active in our government, let’s get firm at the peace-table, let’s insist on a just peace for all. “Let’s pray to God for wisdom to accomplish this task. If we do this, these men whom we honor today, will not have died in vain and we will have gone a long way toward achieving our new and better world!” After the applause following Supreme Auditor Sabo’s words died down, he read the telegrams and letters sent to the Memorial Assembly. SECRETARY OF THE NAVY. “On this day set aside by you to commemorate those brave members of your fraternal association who died in battle that we may live in freedom, I extend to you, their loved ones, on behalf of the Navy the sincerest condolence and profoundest sympathy. Our gratitude for their sacrifice is a charge upon us to insure that the freedom thus won shall be perpetuated in lasting peace and security. JAMES FORRESTAL, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY.” GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS. “In every generation our life as a nation, our cherished liberty and all that we hold most dear have been preserved through the sacrificial heroism of our finest citizens. Please convey my profound sympathy and my highest regard to the families of the gallant members of your Association who made the supreme sacrifice for our Republic. Sincerely yours, DWIGHT II. GREEN, GOVERNOR.” CONGRESSWOMAN’S TRIBUTE. “All America honors you and your sons who gave the last full measure of devotion to their country. CONGRESSWOMAN EMILY TAFT DOUGLAS.” THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO. “I would like to ask you, Mr. Kunstadt, to extend to the families of these brave men my deepest sympathy in their loss. “Not only the boys who died, but those who were ready to give their lives to keep America free, have done more for us than we can ever repay them. The Hungarian-Americans fought bravely and well—with the spirit of men who value freedom and liberty—and are willing to make sacrifices to keep it. “All of us can be proud of what they did and of what they are. On behalf of the people of Chicago, I would like to express my sympathy and esteem of the entire City. Sincerely yours, EDWARD J. KELLY, MAYOR.” ILLINOIS SENATOR. “Hungary is justly proud of the memory of her sons, who, under the banner of St. Stephen, died that the Turk might not conquer Europe; of those others who followed Louis Kossuth in the fight against tyranny in 1848. America is equally proud of her sons of Hungarian blood, who have fought to defend freedom in the uniform of the United States. The service of these six thousand veterans in World War II., and the death of the two hundred of your Association, must inspire all of us to rededicate ourselves to win the peace by securing liberty and justice at home and abroad. Victory for these principles will comfort those who mourn, and insure that the sacrifices of those who died, were not in vain. Fraternally yours, CONGRESSMAN PAYS TRIBUTE. “It is for us who were saved the horrors of war at home to for ever perpetuate the memory of the gallant young men who gave their last full measure of devotion for their country and for the cause of world democracy. “As a representative of the people I have felt it my bounding duty to support all legislation calculated to keep alive the gratitude of the people of this nation to those brave and gallant heroes of World War II. We can never repay the debt of gratitude that we, individually and collectively, as the greatest nation of all times, owe to those who laid down their lives in World War II. “We must carry on to make the peace for which they died enduring. Sincerely yours, WM. A. ROWAM, M. C.” CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES. PRESENTATION OF PORTRAITS. Immediately following the reading of the telegrams and letters, the curtain fell for a moment and as it was lifted again a beautiful scene was revealed to the audience. Ten charming girls in splendid Hungarian dresses joined the Honor Guard still standing at stiff attention behind the portrait, while the girls took their position so that each portarait was placed between two of them". Bertha Horvath, Marian Schmidt, Joan Kozarits, Joan Balaskovits, from Branch 503; Mary Rohaly, Ruth Ann Tisza, from Branch 37; Olga Matanyi, Miss Daro, from Branch 96; Marcia Hollandy and Eva Szosniak from Branch 164, were the girls whose appearance on the stage marked the beginning of the highlight of the program. A deep hush fell over the great hall as Mr. John Szalanczy, Supreme Treasurer, arose to deliver the presentation address. “My dear friends,” said Mr. Szalanczy, “I have been with you for a long time before I was called to my present position. This is my home-town and I deeply appreciate the opportunity to come back to you. Two of my fellow-officers, Supreme President John Bencze, and Supreme Secretary Coloman Revesz, could not be present on this occasion but they asked me to convey to you all their heartiest greetings and most of all, to extend to the members of the bereaved families their deepest sympathy and condolences. “This Memorial Celebration was inspired and made possible by fratcrnalism that means to us more than ever now, during the year of Verhovay’s sixtieth Anniversary. There is a distinct similarity between the founders and the heroes of our Association. The thirteen miners who laid the foundation of the Verhovay, organized in order that they may not have to depend or fall back on outsiders for help in the hour of need. They did not seek glory when doing so, just as our soldiers did not aspire after the glory of heroism and death on the field of battle. I talked to many of the six-thousand members of the Verhovay who served in the war and I found that they went in the spirit of free men, as liberators rather than conquerors. Just like the thirteen miners of Hazleton, they, too, wanted only to help and that is why they won the war. “And now let me tell you how the idea of presenting these portraits to the next of kin of our hero dead was conceived. The Board of Directors were deeply concerned about what could be done for our brothers. The Verhovay always has helped the sick, the needy, the aged, yet the war brought a new challenge that had to be met if we wanted to remain true to the watchword of the thirteen miners, that of helping one another. And so they hit upon the beautiful plan of preserving for posterity the memory of our gallant heroes who had made the supreme sacrifice, by having their portraits painted and presented to their next of kin. You all know, of course, that the Board even went further, when deciding to satisfy in full all war-connected death-claims, even though the war-clause riders attached to the certificates absolved the Association from such obligations. “Even though I am always happy to come back to Chicago, in this instance I came only after giving serious thought to the implications of this occasion. After all, I remember these boys, I grew up with them, for I became young again working with them. It is hard to honor these boys when you knew them so well. But the sad feelings called forth in my heart by the death of these young men makes me realize the depth of sorrow of those, who knew them even better than I, their parents, wives, sisters and brothers. Willing to share their sorrow1, I could not refuse to accept the task with which you have entrusted me. The moment has arived for me to discharge my sad duty in presenting these portraits to the mothers and fathers of these five men ...” At this point Mr. Szalanczy turned toward the portraits . . . Taps were sounded . . . and then tears filled the eyes as he called the names of the heroes whose portraits were unveiled at the same time . . . “CBM. VALENTINE DEMETER . . . PVT. WILLIAM KORODY . . . ST/SGT. STEPHEN TOTH . . . PFC. THEODORE SABO . . . R. 2/C FRANK ROBERT MARKOS . . .” Mr. Szalanczy, then, stepped back and as the audience viewed the beautiful portraits with tearful eyes, sobs broke out as Commander Matthew Liptak stepped forward and chanted the song “Sleep, Rest My Soldier Boy . . .” Attorney W. A. Torok, Master of Ceremonies expressed his thanks to all who helped to arrange the Memorial Ceremonies and those who, by attending, fittingly expressed their deep sympathy with the bereaved families. POSTLUDE . . . Members of the Committee and a group of guests met later at the dinner table where Mr. Szalanczy was asked to speak of the American Hungarian Relief movement. He pointed out how much more even substantially smaller nationality groups had contributed to the alleviation of the need of their old countries, then the American Hungarians. Of course, he stated, they were motivated only by their concern for their starving kin. They gave generously not because they agreed, ncr did they withhold their gifts because they disagreed with the political and social changes that had taken part in the lands of their fathers. We, Americans of Hungarian origin, can attain similar success in our drive only if we lay aside every consideration except that of feeding and clothing our unfortunate brethren THANKS TO THE COMMITTEE. For a great job well done thanks are due to the members of the Memorial Committee who are to ba credited with making the Verhovay Memorial Ceremonies in Chicago a most impressive affair which will be leng remembered by the thousand people who appeared to pay tribute to Verhovay's hero dead and their bereaved families Andrew Varga, President of Branch 37, chairman of the Committee, Joseph Rohaly, manager of Branch 37, secretary, Frank Tinich, President of Branch 96, treasurer. Ernest Kunstadt, Manager of Branch 164, Publicity Chairman, Frank Balogh, Manager of Branch 593, and Joseph Iroczky, President of Branch 164, comptrollers, had dene everything possible for the success of this memorable affair. At the same time, the members of the participating branches are to be commended for having attended the Memorial Ceremonies in such great number, demonstrating, thereby, the sincerity of their fraternal sympathy and brotherliness. Of ail the Memorial Ceremonies held up to this date, Chicago’s had the largest attendance and that, undoubtedly meant a great deal to the bereaved who, deprived of their loved ones, need and are fully entitled to the comfort afforded by the loving sympathy of their fellow-men. ond floor of the Capital Building. Entrance from S. 4th Street. The importance of the business scheduled for this meeting makes it imperative that all members of Branch 237 attend. ALEXANDER NY IRATI, PRESIDENT. CHICAGO, ILL. BRANCH 342. The bonding team of Branch 342 is going to have a grand dance on October 19th, Saturday evening, at the Harmonia Hall, Kcsther and Thomas Ave. corner. Music will be furnished on one dance-floor by an American and on the other by a Gipsy orchestra. Admision only 50 cents. Everybody welcome! ANTON LACHMAN, MGR. '(Continued on Page 4> C. W AY L AND BROOKS,” U. S. SENATE, Committee on Naval Affairs. NEWS from ihr FIEL» KULMONT, PA. Branch 2. The members of Branch 2 are requested to observe the provisions of the By-laws pertaining to the reporting of illness When sick benefits are claimed. In several instances members had failed to report the illness to the branch-manager and, as a result the claims could not be fully satisfied' because illness is being counted only from the day on which report wras made. The manager cannot be held responsible for sick benefit claims unless immediate report is made to him of the illness of a member, and he cannot consider any other date for the onset of the sickness except that on which he was notified. VENDEL PETROVICZ, Manager. YOUNGSTOWN, O. Branch 21. AH the members of St. Stephen’s Branch 21 are invited to attend the regular meeting to be held on October 6, Sunday, at 2 P. M., when following a brief business session, Joseph Danish, manager of the branch, one of the Grand-Prize winners of the Sixtieth Anniversary Membership Contest, will be host to the entire membership. District Manager Joseph Nemes will report on the results attained during that drive and discuss the present 60th Anniversary Gold Ring Membership Contest. A gift will be presented to every member bringing or commending a new member. The fellow-members are requested to lend full support to this drive in order that our Branch again may take a prize! Let’s do our best to increase cur branch and, tiiereby, contribute to the success of the 60th Anniversary Gold Ring Membership Contest! AUGUSTUS HABODASZ, President. JOSEPH DANISH, Manager. FAIRPORT HARBOR, O. BRANCH 20. A dance will be held by Branch 20 on October 19th Saturday, from 7:30 P. M. to midnight, at the Plum Street Hall in Fairport Harbor, O. Music will be furnished by the Szikora and Medve orchestra. Admission 75 cents per person, tax included. Refreshments will be served. Be sure to come! Everything is being done in order to make sure that our guests shall have a good time. THE COMMITTEE. STEUBENVILLE, O. Branch 237. The third quarterly meeting of Branch 237 will be held on October 6th, at 2 P. M., on the sec-
