Calvin Synod Herald, 2004 (105. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2004-01-01 / 1-2. szám
CALVIN SYNOD HERALD 7 Dedication of the Memorial Flag Hungarian Reformed Church of Woodbridge, NJ 6th of July in the Year of Our Lord 2003 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel, and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. ” Is. H:6 In this 100th Anniversary year, we are a congregation grateful for a godly heritage passed on to us by our heroic ancestors. To brave colonials who dared to throw off the chains of imperialism, we owe our liberty. Others also fought here to cast off the chains of the slave, and we remember their bravery. Again the call to arms was answered by later generations, who valued the dignity and worth of all people, and sought to extend our freedoms and justice to all. With blood and valor they still contend today with oppressors in the ongoing struggle for freedom. As we remember our heroes, our heritage, our traditions, under our nation’s Divine Lord and King, we cannot forget the simple symbol of these in all the generations - the Stars and Stripes - our national flag. The 48-star flag in this triangular glassed case was draped on the casket of Marine Private First Class Bert S. Varga, our church’s only serviceman who was killed in action, shot by a Japanese army sniper during the invasion of Saipan Island, in the pacific Ocean, on the 21st day of June, 1944. His body was returned home and laid to rest in his home town, Woodbridge. The family has graciously given the flag to the church as a solemn permanent memorial, so that generations to come may know that the Hungarian immigrants and their children have joined hands in the budding of a free America, with their neighbors who also came from many lands. They contributed their loyal sons and daughters to the armed services, and one whose life adds greater honor to its flag. Another veteran of World War II, President John F. Kennedy, remarked: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of freedom.” In this act of dedication, we honor all who have served in this nation’s defense, from the first days of Independence to the monstrous World Wars; the Alamo and Gettysburg; the Cold War and Korean War, Vietnam and the Iraq War; all who fought with valor to defeat tyranny or dutifully served the watches to keep the peace. Rudyard Kipling: Recessional God of our fathers, known ofold, Lord of our far-flung battle line - ...Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget - lest we forget! If drunk with sight of power we loose Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe - ...Lord God of Hosts, be with m yet, Lest we forget - lest we forget! ings, and Reverend Stefan Torok, CEO of the Hungarian Reformed Federation, offered his greeting and best wishes. The following quote by one of our former members really summed up the feelings of many of those at the anniversary. “It was a great honor for me to be there. As I look back, I now know what an honor it was to be brought up in that church. I have many great memories that I will never forget. With my children scattered all over the USA I can only wish they could have had the same memories that I will have forever. ” Jim Csizmadia. - Jim is the grandson of founding father, Steven Csizmadia. Lisa Toth First Hungarian Reformed Church Homestead, PA
