Fraternity-Testvériség, 1960 (38. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1960-05-01 / 5. szám

8

FRATERNITY

This year the 50-star Flag will be raised, commemorating the addition of Hawaii to the union. In 1885, when Dr. Cigrand led his pupils through the first Flag Day exercises, only 38 states were represented. Since then, North and South Dakota, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona and Alaska, as well as Hawaii, have each been responsible for a new star in Old Glory.

Dr. Cigrand is also credited with helping to write the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States in 1889. He later petitioned President Wilson to urge its acceptance by the War Department.

President Wilson strongly supported this fervor for the Flag by saying on June 14, 1914, that the Flag “has vindicated its right to be honored by all nations of the world and feared by none who do righteousness.” The untiring Wisconsin-born patriot, Dr. Cigrand, died in 1932 in Aurora, Illinois, where he had practiced dentistry for many years. — Although during his professional career he served on the faculties of three colleges and universities and was Dean of the Illinois School of Dentistry, he will always be best remembered for his recognition and love of our Flag. The “father” of Flag Day, which is now the symbol of Fratenal Week, is an inspiration to today’s and tomorrow’s Americans.

BELA KORNITZER:

THE REAL NIXON

(Rand McNally and Co., Chicago, III. — $3.50, or in paper binding $1.95)

Bela Kornitzer’s book is the first publication which covers the Vice President’s memorable visit to Austria in the wake of the Hungarian Revolution from a vantage point that was not accorded to the working press. Bela Kornitzer accompanied the Vice President on this historic trip with the blessings of the White House and was, therefore, in a unique position to observe at the closest range the personal reaction of the Vice President, and that of the U. S. Government, to the tragedy of the heroic people. An entire chapter, entitled “Mission to Vienna”, was devoted to this inspection tour which the Vice President himself considered as one of the most memorable in his diplomatic career. The tragedy and the sacrifices that the Hungarian people made for the cause of human liberty are not news any more in our fast-moving times. It is, therefore, of great significance that this biography — which was written with the fullest cooperation of the Vice President of the United States — should record for posterity the courage and bravery of the Hungarian people, and at the same time make us realize that we must safeguard our liberties, which we tend to take too much for granated. Incidentally, we believe that our readers will be glad to learn that Bela Kornitzer —- not long ago a penniless Hungarian refugee — is now known as the biographer of Presidents and became a living example of a Horatio Alger story. The prestige he has gained through his highly successful books, American Fathers and Sons and The Great American Heritage, is a clear indication that The Real Nixon will also be enthusiastically received by everyone, whether Democrat or Republican.