Reformátusok Lapja, 1969 (69. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1969-06-01 / 6-7. szám
10 REFORMÁTUSOK LAPJA Freedom Fighters Memorial In Norwalk A little hand of enthusiastic Hungarians paid permanent tribute to the Hungarian Freedom Fighters of 1956 on June 1, 1969 when an outstanding memorial was unveiled in Norwalk, Conn, honoring their heroic deed. It was at the tenth anniversary of the 1956 revolt that the idea of a permanent memorial was conceived and it took almost three years to make the dream a reality. The committee, known as the Hungarian Committee of Norwalk and Vicinity was aided hy the well- known artist, Stevan Dohanos of nearhy Westport who headed the artist committee. After surveying the works of several sculptors, the committee proudly committed the work to Mr. Lajos Szalay who is not only one of the most outstanding Hungarian graphic artists in the world, but who also acquainted himself with the ideals and events of the 1956 revolt. The memorial he created can be classified with the best works of this nature in the whole world, according to Mr. Dohanos. The memorial itself is 9’4” high, 8’ wide and 15” thick poured white cement base on which the 5’2” high and 6’8” wide bronze relief is fastened. The relief depicts a horseman, symbolizing the bright, hopeful and victorious start of the revolution. The subsequent brutal repression by Russian tanks is represented by a fallen worker, his arm resting on a harp, the symbol of poets and artists who inspired the movement of freedom. A bird emerging at the right of the bronze, represents eternal hope which cannot be crushed. There is only one inscription on the whole monument which reads: “Hugary 1956” but these eleven letters address, challenge, condemn and inspire... The surroundings of the memorial monument are also meaningful and symbolic. It is placed in a park which was created after a disastrous flood in a redevelopment area and named for a man, the late Irwing C. Freese, mayor for five terms of his city, who believed in complete freedom. It was befitting, therefore, that the Rev. Dr. John Butosi who organized the Hungarian Committee of Norwalk and co-ordinated the memorial project, presented the monument with these words: “At the crossing of bridges, river and roads, close to the ocean and to the heart of the city, let this memorial monument here proclaim man’s often tragic, but eternally unquenchable thirst for freedom and human dignity. Let it be a reminder of Hungary, which for more than a thousand years fought and hied at the crossroads of nations often misunderstood and forgotten. Let it speak of other nations as well which yearn to rebuild their life after a disastrous flood of communism according to the American ideal of life, liberty and happiness! Let it he a memento to all those who try to build bridges without really knowing the brutal facts of Communist tyranny! Let all the citizens of Norwalk learn here the prize of freedom, the nature of courage and the obligation of true Americanism.” On behalf of the city, Mayor F. N. Zullo accepted the memorial and representatives of Freedom Fighters World Federation placed the first wreaths at it. We certainly hope that this sacrificial example of the Norwalkers will not be in vain and will bear fruit both in America and in Hungary. Peter Samuel Borsay was an uncommon man with a magic for touching other lives with affection. Near its end, his life became a celebration of Christian faith in the midst of perplexing events distant from his home. His death left an impact on our sensibilities that queries again the reasons and conduct of wars. Peter died in Vietnam, the accidental victim of American artillery aimed at a hostile force. He was there because he believed in an America realizing its moral and material potentials. He was there not because he was a man of war, hut because lie was a man of peace fulfilling a responsibility to his adopted country. He was horn twenty four years ago in the ruins of the Second World War. Budapest had just been “liberated” hy the Russian armies. Life was a precarious possession with an uncertain future. With lusty lungs he let the world know that he was staying for a while. His family survived and soon departed for Canada. They left behind their ancestral homeland newly filled with repression and terror and came to a young land of foreign sounds and sights. Here Peter grew up. During the ministry of his father, the Hungarian Presbyterian Church of Delhi, Ontario was built. His mother gave birth to two more sons so that now there were four hoys and two girls in the family. Peter was the third child. He played, and learned, and fought, and made friends. By the time they left Delhi, he had won every marble in town — big cat’s eyes, little solid steel ones, blue and red and green and white in cans and cans and boxes. Next, his family went to Springdale, Pennsylvania. There he became a young man, put away his marbles, Peter Samuel Borsay 1945-1969
