Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
Page 2 Verhovay Journal September 14, 1944 its members who came to this country from another land, to acquire citizenship in the United States of America. Our association even went further than that, when it published and distributed freely a text-book which has served tens of thousands in the preparation for the citizenship examinations. This text-book has won high acclaim and is in use even now in many Hungarian-American colonies. We can state truthfully that at least 98% of our membership are citizens of this, our land. The few who have not acquired citizenship, have not been able to do so due to old age and other factors that have made it impossible for them to pass the citizenship examination. The last convention of the Association has already done what Mr. Neel suggested: it embodied in the by-laws the article which states that only American citizens are eligible as Convention Representatives. It follows from this paragraph that no one can be elected Supreme Officer or member of the Board of Directors or of any other board who has not received his citizenship papers. If there has been criticism that members of some fraternals have retained their loyalty to their native country at the expense of their adopted country—such criticism could never refer to the Verhoyay which for decades has emphasized the duty of every immigrant to become a fullfledged citizen of this great country that has opened its doors to us and has given us a haven of safety. Perhaps we should go even further and point out that the acquisition of the citizenship-paper is not the sole requisition of true American citizenship. That citizenship paper and the solemn vow by which it has been acquired is the symbol and manifestation of a true love for this country which has found and always will find further expression in the sacrifices which our organization as a whole and all of its members have brought so willingly whenever the need arose. All patriotic movements have found enthusiastic support in the Verhovay. The One Million Dollar Verhovay Hospital Train is only one of the many achievements that have been brought forth by the loyalty of Verhovayans to their adopted country. The Officers of our organization have always felt that theirs is a task of leadership not only on the fraternal field but also in the patriotic sphere and it is due to this leadership that the Verhovay has a record which serves proof of the true Americanism of the Verhovay F. I. Association. We call the readers’ attention to another subject broached in this address: He refers to the old problem of which we have written so much and so often: that of “fraternalism versus insurance.” The Verhovay has always maintained the importance of the social aspects of its activities. We believe that the constant increase in the membership of our organization is due mainly to the fact that the Verhovay has never lost itself entirely in the insurance business aspects of its activities. Throughout the nearly 60 years of its existence the Verhovay has consistently widened the scope of its social activities and continues to do so. Anyone studying the social tasks performed by our organization cannot help but notice that they all resulted from the brotherliness which is the fundamental principle of fraternalism. We do have members who cannot see why the possession of a membership certificate should involve them in social activities. The Insurance Commissioner’s address serves to make them see that the membership certificate means more than Just an insurance policy. It means membership in a brotherhood which is dedicated to the greatest task: that of leading its members towards the full realization of patriotism and brotherliness. Fraternalism is the pillar of patriotism and charity. That we believe, that we have maintained throughout the decades of the existence of our organization and we shall continue to do so because that attitude is the guarantee of our survival. * * * We cannot avoid the most painful subject brought up during the address of the Insurance Commissioner: that of internal strife within fraternal organizations in the course of which some factions accuse others of placing loyalty to the native land above and before loyalty to the United States. What shames us fraternals of foreign descent, is the fact that often such accusations are carried even to the Insurance Department demanding that investigations be conducted against other factions of officers. This war has given unscrupulous individuals a chance to disguise their personal antagonism and their desire for higher office in the cloak of patriotism. They pretend being led by anxiety for the nation’s welfare whereas their true motive is only jealousy and envy. To hurl the accusation of harboring anti-American sentiments against a group or an individual is more effectively dangerous today than anything else and that poison-bomb is used freely by such people who can find no other cause for creating r, distrust against an organization or its officers. Usually investigations carried out along these lines result in the vindication of the accused. But the damage of creating distrust has been done and even a proven libeler attains his end. We respectfully suggest that the Insurance Department take such accusations with a grain of salt. We also suggest that in most cases the thus accused are better Americans than those who made the accusations. It can be proven easily that those accused of Nazi sympathies have more to show for their American citizenship than those whose patriotic feelings exhaust themselves in hurling accucations against those who are sincerely concerned about the welfare and future of our nation. We have reason to be quite emphatic on this score. Our organization also was accused by some of its own members because of continuing membership in the American Hungarian Federation. Our defense was simply to request that the Insurance Department make proper inquiries at the F.B.I., and the State Department. On the basis of this painful experience we believe that a fraternalist who in pursuance of his own ambitious plans accuses his fellow-members on grounds that are known to him to be false, cannot be a true member of fraternal brotherhood and, consequently, cannot be a real American citizen. For American citizenship involves fairness, honesty, truthfulness, character and one who exhibits an undesirable character cannot be called a desirable citizen. In each case we say: let the record speak. The Verhovay has a record of which we can be proud. We know that we have made a contribution to this country and we are happy and proud for having the privilege to continue serving our country with the best we have to offer. CHICAGO BRANCH 503 Such notes as, warbled to a string, drew iron tears down Pluto’s cheek. —Milton A One of those humorous letters was again received from Sergeant Johnny Phillips, now serving with the 15th Air Force Service Command in Italy. Writes he in part: “Just received the July 13th serving of the Verhovay Journal in which there appeared a biographical sketch of a Phillips named John. It reminds me so much of me that I thought I’d let you know of the striking similarity. Of course, I wrote the particulars for that sketch when I was a year younger, on a different continent and had not achieved as high a rank among the non-commissioned as I now hold. Now I am ranker by one more stripe. ’’Things are fine here in Italy; the weather is despicable. Everytime our cooks want to bake anything, they don’t light a fire under the oven. They just grab a few handfuls of air and throw it in the oven. Well, anyway, it’s pretty hot. I’ve gone swimming a few times and am well fried on both sides. I’m the shade of old mahogany and my nose is beginning to peel; in fact at times it looks like a half-peeled banana. The ocean is fine; we have beach club right on the edge of it and the Red Cross has set up a snack bar where we get spam sandwiches and milk shakes and sundaes and plain old everyday ice cream. A far cry from the old days when we had “C” rations all the time in one delicious flavor. ‘'They even issued us G.I. swimming trunks (khaki). One box of them came into the supply room and the supply sergeant discovered that they were twopiece suits. Then he discovered that they were addressed to the local WAC contingent. . . No kiddin’ this really happened. “Lily Pons arrived here in person lately and sang for us while her husband Andrew Kostelanetz directed the local symphony orchestra. They appeared at the local Stadium and that little lady really warbled. There were about 8,000 Americans, English, Canadians, South Africaners, Australians, New Zealanders and a handful of Italians, and they were all able to hear her, which ought to give you some idea of the volume of her voice. We expect Joe Louis here soon and even he ought to get a sun tan here. “They are sending thru American Beer now but it is 3.2 stuff and as weak as anything — but still it is American and knowing that helps morale a lot. “The mosquitoes are atrocious; so are the flies. They are different than the ones in the states. These have four-bladed propellers and are so tough they put holes in fly swatters. But that’s silly ... I don’t know where I learned to exaggerate like that. ‘The mustache with the Sergeant behind it, Johnny Jerkovich, writes me often from Sardinia and he seems to enjoy his stay there but still misses his fiancee. ‘‘We were all happy to hear about the invasion of southern France. Even the Germans were happy. Now they can make strategic withdrawals on four fronts and we all can go home soon. "I’d better close now. There’s too many mosquitoes reading over my shoulder. I don’t mind that so much but they’re starting to dig fox-holes in the back of my neck. If you don’t have a victory garden, I have enclosed enough corn so that you can start one. Just chalk it up to being overseas too long. Love and kisses: Johnny.” Our congratulations on your being promoted to a Sergeant, Johnny ,and we really do enjoy your letters. Keep ’em coming.! * * * Pvt. Johnny Huziany, recently with an engineers’ regiment in England, wrote that he was so busy that he didn’t have time to shave in days. Because on Sunday, August 13th, he writes from somewhere in France. Excerpts from his letter: “I sure have traveled a long way in such a short, time, and have learned plenty. By the way, these French have one habit of always shaking hands when they greet you and when they leave — even the little tots. And the children from five years up, as I noticed, smoke cigarettes. Guess I’ll write a book after the war and call it “4000 miles to hell.” The people in France are kind and polite but have a hard time understanding us. But I can get along with the French people with my knowledge of the language I studied back at high school and also from the books we get in the army. When riding through some of these towns the people throw flowers and offer us wine and cider, also cognac — much dbiuiigci ti ictu vui wiiisivey, much clearer. I also have soma souvenirs — one German bayonet. "Yesterday one of the village girls brought me a dozen eggs, two pounds of cookies which she claimed she made herself, and four pounds of tomatoes. And we hadn’t had tomatoes for a long time! In return for the food I gave the young lady two packages of cigarettes, some candy and gum. She was going to pay me for the stuff, but I says to her ‘Let’s call it square.’ There are many French people who come to our camp to greet the boys and bring us food. It’s good to get fresh grub, and the buddies and I split on the food I get. Things here are very expensive for the people. A pack of cigarettes costs 50 French francs or $1.00 in A- merican money. We soldiers have been getting free rations and a carton of cigs every two weeks — very fortunate.” Nice to hear from you, Engineer Johnny, and we hope this copy of the Journal will find you hale and hearty. Write us soon again! Tuesday September 5, 1944 THE SCRIBE OF KŐSZEG %r*L yiCTOKY BUY UNITED STATES WAR »/bonds AND STAMPS Rounding Up Hitler's Headaches Figures on map above refer to recent avalanche of climactic events that spells doom for the Nazis. (1) Allies crash out of Normandy, sweep through Brittany to vital ports and Paris; (2) long Nazi-Army feud climaxed by attempt on Hitler’s life, resulting in purge of many; of Wehrmacht’s ablest officers, (3) Finland moves toward peace] with Russia: (4) Russians rout Germans at ever-increasing speed] along 600-mile front; (5) Russians seize oil sources, Allies bombi Ploesti fields, while Allied production of 100-octane gas zooms, (6)j Turkey breaks with Nazis, who fear Allied use of Turk bases, (7)1 Allied pressure in Italy prevents Nazis from reinforcing jrsties ini France. Nazi prisoners, below, symbolize plight of Hitler’s hordes*
