Verhovayak Lapja, 1943. január-június (26. évfolyam, 1-25. szám)

1943-04-29 / 17. szám

April 29, 1943 Page 3 From North Africa• __________ Constant readers of the English Section of the Verhovay Journal, many of whom are friends of John V. Jerkovich, might well be interested in this recent letter from “Somewhere in North Africa” to Stephen Huzianyi from Vic. He is Sergeant in the 432nd Bombardment Squadron and is taking part in the great African campaign that is making the headlines of today. Since he is not an armed-chair strategist but is on rather intimate terms with danger at the front, we believe he is entitled to the speculations concerning the ensuing peace and the program for a new world in the aftermath of this ' the most terrible and dislocating war ot all time. The entire letter was passed by censor. In the opening paragraph of his letter “Vic” refers to the different little things such as: “Received a letter from Molly Nyers today and am glad to hear from her. She sent me some clippings from the Journal, including the letter of thanks I wrote to Mr. Darago, Sr., and I was surprised to learn that it was published. 1 hope that you have already received my last letter with the photograph of the Orderly Staff. “Received a letter from my brother Steve and he in­formed me that he was to go home on a 15 day furlough, which is to be from March 8th to March 22nd. He told me that he expects to be promoted to a Staff Sergeant from a Corporal. “I just hope and pray that he makes it. “Hoping to hear from you, dear friend, I close with my best wishes and regards to you, your wife Margaret and son Arpad, and trusting you are all in the best of health, as I am, God Bless all of you.” At this point he turned to a subject that seemed to have been weighing on his mind for quite some time: “WHAT PRICE PEACE?” “As a soldier of the United States Armed Forces serving overseas, one may ask: What is foremost in my mind and in the mind of my comrades-in-arms? Because I do not claim to be a mind reader, I can’t vouch as to what my comrades are thinking about the present conflict. “Some may be thinking of the Victory which we all hope arrives soon._ Since I too look and fight for our Victory, - am wondering the kind of peace we will have. Will it be a treaty of peace or will it be a treaty of hate and revenge, which is sure to bring another conflict in 20 or 25 years? This is one of the thoughts foremost in my mind: What sori of peace will be drafted by the United Nations, once the Axis powers are defeated? My only hopes and prayers are for a sane and rational peace treaty — a treaty where not only the victorious nations and those now occupied are to he heard, but also the vanquished. One has to look at the Versailles Treaty, a so-ealled peace treaty (Note: as well as the Trianon Treaty), which harbored nothing hut hate and revenge, and then one will fully understand why the present war is being waged. If the statesmen of the last conflict had been a little rational and sane in their thoughts, had drafted a sound and honorable treaty, there wouldn’t have been a Hitler, there wouldn’t be this war today. But already I am skeptical about the prospects of an honorable peace when this war is won. “For 1 can clearly recall Mr. Churchill’s speech to the British Parliament to the effect that it was not his intention to be the first British statesman to officiate over the liquidation of the British Empire. Then what in Heaven’s name are we fighting the war for the Four Freedoms, if he has no intention of granting India or any other part of the empire as may desire their independence? Why beat around the hush and continue to call this war the Fighl for the Four Freedoms? Why not call it a war for gain? “Perhaps Churchill has dreams already of adding Libya to the huge British empire. If the world in general is desirous of an everlasting peace after this war, then there should be an end to all this talk of revenge and hate towards the vanquished. After the last war, when the vanquished nations held out iheir hands to be helped to their feet and pleaded for suecor, the victorious nations “kicked them in the teeth.’ When this war is ended we must remember 1918—1919, and offer the defeated nations a helping hand, so that there cannot be another Hitler to foment another war. And when it comes to disarmament, not only the vanquished must strip them­selves of their arms to insure peace, but so must we of the victorious side disarm or else how can we keep those that lose from distrusting us — — — as proved after the close ol the last Great War, if we do not follow a saner and more honest peace policy. “Then the only outcome for the two camps of nations will be the girding up for World War III in the next 20 to 25 years This problem is what weighs heavily on my mind------------­what price should we choose to pay for peace: The price of hate and revenge or the price of goodness and forgiveness to the defeated? My best bet is to choose the price of good­ness and forgiveness, as that is the only way we can be positive of an everlasting peace. “Yours fraternally and sincerely, “VIC” Sgt. John V. Jerkovich” Although Vic is obviously wholly sincere and honest in his Echoes from Lorain—Branches 372 and 17 “Where Coal and Iron Meet" Verhovayak Lapja----------------------­The Verhovay bowling season has ended in Lorain the day of April 4th, but it will leave wonderful and lasting memories of the spirit, cooperation and discipline that is displayed only by Verhovay members and their capable opponents. As a friendly compensation to those who have toiled so diligently to make the season a success, a banquet was held on April 3rd, at the 30th Street Club House, and be it from California to Maine or any other direction, a better and more patriotic showing has yet to be beaten. The banquet not only served its real purpose, but also served as a medium to bring together some of the outstanding personnel of our acquaintances. The Rev. Fr. Petrick, pastor ot St. Michaels Parish, and helms­man of their fine bowling team, which has given us many a worried headache, gave the opening prayer. The Rev. was introduced by toastmaster deluxe, A1 Barlis, who did an excellent job of introducing and ribbing of each speaker. The whole program related in writing would take too much space. However, the high points of this gala affair follows: First of all, a great deal of credit is due to Mr. Steve (Pete) Szabó, who worked so hard as secretary of the team to promote a friendly attitude toward every­one concerned and who, as one of the leading bowlers, did a capable and trustworthy task of handling the bowling dates and the financial affairs. To Mike Smith for his ex­cellent coaching tactics, and as a top-notch bowler, for his encouragement and stamina when the going was the toughest. To Mr. “Ace” George Jávor and Mr. Dyka, two of the older youngsters who have shown by their undying waywardness that life begins at forty, for their fine competition in keeping up the morale of the team and the regular spectators. To John Merki, whose teetering scores have proven that he well deserved the name of “Anchor Man Merki”. To Mr. John Palagyi who overtried his technique but whose heart and soul was always in the right place. And we won’t even hold it against him for taking some excessive chalk home on his trousers. To Mr. Rigo and Mr. Mrasz, who haven’t been able to attend very regularly because ©f more important personal duties. We wish to thank each and everyone of the bowling mem­bers and all the faithful spec­tators throughout the season. They have proven that in Unity there is strength. The Boy Scouts, who have also been our alternative opponents throughout the season, deserve more than an ordinary applause. Owing to the fact that their team was made up of considerably younger men makes it all the more reason why it should be boosted to the top with the highest honorable mention. The team as a whole was much handicapped by the fact that from time to time ’ members were inducted into the armed forces. Mr. Charles “Cutty” Simo, under whose wonderful leader­ship as a typical Boy Scout, Ver­hovay member and team Captain, had practically made the team perform miracles. We wish to thank Mr. Simo also for his fine performance as a guest speaker at the banquet and on such a timely subject. Those members who helped make up this strong team are: Steve Gyorfi, Laddy “pretty boy” Moldavan, Ernest Mason, Dominik Rebman, and Charles Simo, cap­tain. Thanks to each and every one of you boys. The team members of the St. Michael outfit who deserve high mention are: Louis Szabó, President, and Louis Bodnar who together with Pete Szabó shared the high honors for the season, not to forget Joe Shinski, who in single competition, was high man for the season. We wish to thank the new pastor of St. Ladislaus parish, The Rev. Fr. Carpi, for his fine talk and inspiration. Fr. Carpi can hardly ’wait until next season when he expects to become a regular member and to show the boys a few “tippers” about bowling. The “Blond Blizzard”, Joe Kovach, who often shared the bowling ball with yours truly, deserves A-l mention for his good scoring and that perpetual smile that makes men forget their “blues”. At the end of the banquet, the boys and their wives and sweet­hearts furthered their showing of good spirit and generosity by suggesting that a collection be taken up for the cooks and the kitchen help who had worked hard all day to prepare a meal that never included “ration books” or recognized “points”. Those who were on the receiving end of this generous offering were: Mrs. Mike Smith, Mrs. Alex Petho Sr., cooks, while Carolyn Petho and Mrs. Alex Petho Jr. served as kitchen help. Before the wee hours of the morning rolled around, a vote was held for the election of officers for the coming season. The voting resulted with A1 Barlis being elected president. 1st vice pres. Louis Szabó and 2nd vice pres., Mike Smith, Secretary-Treasurer again, Pete Szabó. And so the curtain fell on one of the most colorful Verhovay undertakings in this city of steel and iron, but next season we shall endeavor to better our­selves many fold so that others who were less fortunate this year may compete with us next year. * * * Charles and Eugene Davis, whose furloughs have brought them together at home are spending a comfortable vacation opinions, we do not necessarily believe as he does that the “victorious side disarm” for there are plenty of sustaining arguments in favor of a policing force comprised of the United Nations, till the time when a stable, lasting peace can be finally established. Vet Vic is exercising one of the Four Freedoms and we, as Voltaire, would say: “We’ll defend to the death his right to his opinions!” It is this freedom to express ourselves that has made our country the greatest political unit on the face of the earth. STEPHEN HUZIANYI with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Davis, Sr„ Charles Jr., who had been promoted to the rank of Lieut, in the armed forces wasted no time in seeing to it that his newly born daughter receive an 18 year endowement policy through Julius Chazar, secretary-treasurer of Branch 372.. Eugene, who is also advancing rapidly, has received the rating of Cpl. on the western coast. When we speak of sacrifices, we are not by any means over looking the faithful Mrasz family. Mr. Alex Mrasz, who works so untiringly in behalf of the Ver­hovay lodge here has already given four of his sturdy rugged sons to the services of Uncle Sam and is now waiting for the results of the impatient fifth son, Louis. Alex Jr., the oldest of the boys is serving as a warrant officer somewhere in California. Alex, incidently, has been in the services since 1929. John is a Staff Sgt. in N, Carolina, while Andy is a water tender with the merchant marine outfit somewhere on the great seas. Joe, only 17 years of age, is in training with the Navy at Great Lakes, Chicago. Louis, 24, who is the only boy left at home, is patiently waiting his induction. Our hats off to our faithful and heroic fraternal brothers. May they always carry on in the spirit that keeps men living until such a day that we may again have peace and freedom so that they again may be in our midst. Fraternally, ALEXANDER C. PETHO. TO THE CONTRIBUTORS The English Section is pub­lished the SECOND and LAST Thursday of every month, except when holidays inter­vene, and the Fridays IM­MEDIATELY preceding them are the final dates. Contributions intended for the May 13th issue should be in before or on May 7th. Address contribution to ENGLISH SECTION. VER­HOVAY JOURNAL, 345 FOURTH AVENUE, PITTS­BURGH, PA. Contributions should be type­written, if possible; but hand­written contributions are also acceptable. Typewritten Articles: Use one side of paper only, and double space. Contributors please confine articles to 1000 to 1200 words. Handwritten Articles: Make handwriting as legible as pos­sible. BUY UNITED STATES AND STAMPS

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