Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
Page 6 Verhovay Journal August 31, 1944 They Gave Th eir Lives .. a greater cause. He served it well, with great heroism. He was reported missing in action by the War Department as of April 28, 1944. Now his parents were informed by the War Department that their beloved son was killed in action in the English Channel on the same date. The painfully cherished hopes of three months have thus turned into sorrow ... * * * 68. PFC. CHESTER J. KOVÁCS 70. PFC. JOSEPH VARGA Mrs. Martha Varga, of Granger, Indiana, Route 1, Box 220, received notice that her son, Pfc. Joseph Varga was killed in action in France on July 3, 1944. A member of Branch 132, of South Bend, Ind., he was the second to die from the membership of that Branch and the 12th Verhovayan who shed his blood on the soil of France. * * * PRAY FOR PEACE MY FRIEND Don’t you want our boys home? Don't you want this war to end? Then won't you bow your head And pray for peace my friend? To have God five us peace, And joy to the world to send, To have the sun for, ever shine, Oh, pray for peace, my friend. To bring our boys safely back, And our broken hearts to mend, To have all our dreams come true, Oh, pray for peace, my friend. Pfc. Chester J. Kovács, a son of Mr. and Mrs. John Kovács of 1908 Beaver Street, McKeesport, Pa., was born July 11th, 1924. He was a member of Branch 226, of McKeesport, Pa. He joined the armed forces in April, 1943 and received his basic training in Camp Robinson, Ark. From there he was sent to Camp McCain, Miss., and Ft. G. Meade in Maryland. He went overseas in November, 1943 and took part in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day. Four days later, June 10th, 1944, he was killed in action. He is the 10th Verhovayan who died in France. He is survived by his parents and his only sister, Margaret. « * * * 71. ST. SGT. WALTER GETSEY Staff Sergeant Walter Getsey, a member of Branch 220 of Conneaut, O., a gunner and radio-operator on a Flying Fortress, was reported missing in aerial action over Germany on February 4th, 1944. Later his parents received notice that their son was captured in Germany and that he was well and safe in a German prisoncamp. Months later the Getseys received a post-card from their son, dated April 13, 1944, in which he confirmed the report and assured his parents of his wellbeing. The Intenational Red Cross now sent a telegram to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Getsey of 616 Harbor St., Conneaut, O., informing them of the untimely death EMMA JENE EVANS, age, 14. Branch 7, Pricedale, Pa.------------V-----------The world is full of people who have eyes and ears, yet do not see or hear. I would rather be blind and deaf than be one of these. The will to do and the power to think is the life of life. —Helen Keller.-----------V-----------Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of liie in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation, and freedom in all just pursuits. —Thomas Jefferson. PFC. STEVEN J. KISH in France from where he wrote his prayerful letter. Pfc. Steren J. Kish was a member of Branch 36 of Detroit, Mich., and the 4th member of that Branch to lose his life in the service of his country and the 13th Verhovayan who was killed in action on the battlefront in France. * * * 69, LOUIS IVAN T-5 Louis Ivan, a member of Branch 248 of Monaville, W. Va., was horn in Bridgeport, Conn., on October 3rd, 1914. For many years he was vicepresident of Branch 248 and served his branch so faithfully in this capacity that he was kept in his office by the membership of the branch for the duration of his military service. He served as a Technician 5th Grade in the medical dept., and was first reported missing by the War Department as of July 3, 1944. Then he was reported killed in action as of the same date. He was the 11th Verhovayan who died on the French battlefront. of their son, Walter, in German military prison camp, on July 16th, 1944. Sergeant Getsey held the Air Medal received for heroism in aerial action. * * * 72. PFC STEVEN J. KISH Mr. and Mrs. James Kish of 8940 Keller St., Detroit, Mich., just recently received a moving letter, written in Hungarian, from their son, Steve, dated July 16th, 1944, in France. He wrote: “Dear Father and Mother! How areiVy°u und how is everything? Have not received any news from you for quite some time. Everything is allright here, so please don’t worry about me. I shall soon return to you with the help of God. Tomorrow again I shall go to Confession and Communion so the good Lord may watch over me. Just now I got a beautiful letter from you and I am very happy for having heard from you. May God bless you and protect you from all danger and trouble. Please write. Your loving son, Steve.” However, God had other plans with Steve, for eight days later, on July 24th, 1944, he was killed in action In the short span of the last three weeks the Verhovay has lost 13 of its members on the field of battle. A shocking loss that means bottomless sorrow for the families of these heroic death. We are proud of their glorious achievements but that pride cannot assuage the sorrow we all feel over their loss. Extending our deepest sympathy to the parents and families of our heroic dead we only pray that the Lord may give them strength to bear the burden of their sorrow. THE MEMORY OF OUR 72 HEROIC DEAD SHALL REMAIN WITH US FOREVER.
