Verhovayak Lapja, 1944 (27. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1944 / Verhovay Journal
September 28, 1944 LET TRUTH BE UNCONFINED CHICAGO BRANCH 503 The powers of Time as a comforter can hardly be overstated; but the agency by which he works is exhaustion. —-L. E.Landon From “somewhere in France” mother letter, dated August 26th, has been received from PVT. JULIUS NAGY (a Detroit Verhovay member), who is with the 803rd Tank Destroyer Squadron. “Sorry I haven’t written sooner but you know or can realize what conditions there are out here. I have had a few close calls, since we invaded France, but Lady Luck was with me and I’m okay. Things are looking a lot better now than when we landed. The krauts are running toward Berlin. Once in a while they stop and that holds up the war and makes us Yanks mad. I don’t think it can last much longer; not the way we have been throwing everything we have at them. Then the way the prisoners are pouring in I’m sure it can’t last much longer. The other day we captured several Germans. One of our buddies is a Greek and he talked so fast to the Germans that they didn’t know what to do ... There aren’t many lakes or rivers around these parts, so as we move along we take our baths in the streams. When we first hit France the people all wore wooden shoes. Now! They wear leather shoes. The French are all very pleased to see us. As we pass through the towns, people throw flowers at us. We in return throw candy and smokes. I had to laugh when we were going through a town about three weeks ago— we threw a kid a shaving cream and he started eating it—however, no more of that. The mademoiselles are looking better also. I thought for a while that the Germans took them all with them. I see by the STARS AND STRIPES (the Army newspaper) that the Tigers are back on their feet. I made a 5 pound bet with a guy back in England that the Tigers would finish ahead of Chicago! It’ll be a good bet even if I do lose ... I sent a Nazi flag to my brother. I got it off a Nazi Mark V Panther Tank. It’s a 6x6 flag and a good souvenir ... You can almost read where I’m at by reading a newspaper.” Our very« best of luck to you, soldier NAGY, and we are hoping you will write us soon again. * * * One of our members, young Joseph S. Papp, Jr., has just returned from Italy, where, on the battlefield towards Rome, he received several wounds in the thickest of fighting. Joe, serving with the 7th Infantry, marched, and marched and marched ... as the song goes ... but gave a good account of himself. Apparently the letters his parents sent him did not reach him, for the battle line moved rapidly, and so when Joe returned to Chicago and went to where the folks lived, he couldn’t find them. Then, he went to where his dad was supposed to work, and there they told him that the family had moved to Bridgeman, Michigan. We hope Private Papp will tell us something of his experiences, so that we can tell our readers what this infantryman saw... How about it, Joe? And we hope that you will soon recover and enjoy normal health. We take our hats off to this young typical American hero — a Verhovay member, from our own 503 Branch! Sunday, September 17, 1944. THE SCRIBE OF KŐSZEG. One of the Worst Fire Hazards In Europe The American Hungarian Federation presents a series of articles on the problems relating to Hungary and its neighbors in Central Europe, for the enlightenment of the American public as to the real importance of the Central European situation. This is the first article of the series. While the U.S.A. have no direct interest in any particular boundary in Europe, they have a direct interest in the stability of boundaries in Europe, partiiularly of those in Eastern Europe where the two world wars have originated. In view of the unfortunate effect that territorial commitments made during the 1st World War had on the territorial settlement reached thereafter, the American Government has so far consistently refused to recognize any territorial changes before the termination of this war. Disturbing dispatches have appeared of late to the effect that Russia has promised all of Transylvania to Roumania, including the part that the latter had eeded back to Hungary in 1940. Among the Balkan satellites of Germany, Roumania is the only one which has used her full military strength against Russia, and which has coveted and subsequently annexed territories from Russia. It is not likely therefore that Russia is prompted by reason of a sentimental character, in presenting Transylvania to Roumania. Obviously Transylvania is to be given to Roumania in compensation for Bessarabia and for parts of Moldavia which have been annexed by Russia. While political expediency and territorial compensations have always been the stock in trade of old world power politics, large masses of American public opinion do not consider them trustworthy foundations on which to build a stable peace. Power politics have dismally failed to solve the Transylvania problem which is notoriously one of the thorniest in Europe. This problem has been aggravated by the fact that in 1918 as well as in 1940 the solutions applied were those of might and not of right. It was thanks to these wrong solutions that Hitler succeeded in enmeshing Hungary in his war with Russia and in playing Hungary and Roumania against each other. To add a third one to two wrong solutions having its main-The Ferret Sez ... .... Verhovay Journal______-_______________ .rage á There is always a new angle to the work and experiences of the auditing committee. Of course, the first thing one looks for on arrival is whether the SMOG will be thin enuf to grope one’s way to the hotel, or whether a guide should be hired. That first mouthful of Pittsburgh air is swallowed like a dose of castor oil, or a bitter-sweet pill, because once the awfulness is down, the after-effects compensate for the unpleasant taste. After the first couple of visits, the welcome becomes warmer at the H. O. The Supreme Officers and office force welcome this congenial trio like members of one happy family. Greetings in return are tendered with suppressed dignity, and wondering what changes went on with the kids since the last visit. One finds that not only the examining of books and figures is experienced, but one receives a full-view picture of all business transactions, from the tiniest branch squawk, often viewed with a humorous glint, to the most serious business of the organization. Just beginning to realize that being a branch manager alone does not educate one sufficiently to understand the workings of the Association. One hears experiences of various officials with regard to branch officers, experiences which are the lot of the district manager, and the man in the field. Some of the ideas received from hearing these every-day occurrences are good, some could easily be relegated to the waste-basket. The smart move is to sift through the good and bad tips and practise only that which would be advantageous to the majority. The older boys have had plenty of experience, varied in range and results, and with the new ideas of youth to rejuvenate the wornout ideas, sound co-operation can elevate the securing of new members, and the continuation of social life to a plane of highest achievement in fraternal life. The eternal question arises... is the youth of our organization ready to take over the reigns of leadership? Here is a ticklish point, which is under constant discussion. I, as a member representing the youth, (alright so I’m not a kid any longer!), readily admit that the older boys have done a very good job in putting the V. F. I. A. on the map of fraternal organizations. However, what some of you fellas and gals out in the field do not know and should be informed about, is that these experienced men who are leaders today, do not want to hog their positions. As one supreme officer told me, (not mentioning names), what they are trying to do, is apprentice those youngsters who have shown sincere interest and whose capabilities could be deve-By Mrs. Jolán Lucas OiUiUHUliHUlUlMdiWmmUUu i lirWrTl^mhnrainmrniinnii. loped in the fields they are best suited for. He further went on to say, that if you do a job you like, you work like a beaver at it, against discouraging attacks, against great odds. If you believe in a thing with your whole heart, you will go out of your way to prove to yourself, and others, that the idea is worth working for. One thing I have learned, and which could be practised by all those who believe they know all the answers. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ne*ver be afraid to admit your ignorance on certain subjects—it’s only a genius who can be expected to achieve the ultimate. It takes all kinds of people to make for a successful organization, and we can’t al! be expected to know everything It takes a very brave person but an intelligent one, to admil he’s in the wrong, or doesn’t understand something, and I still maintain that curiosity DOES teach a person, and analyzing or desiring analysis, is the sure way to learn. Your sense of humor needs to grow with your experiences and neglecting the general outlook on life reflects in your capabilities. springs in power politics means a further fanning of the flame of hatred between Roumanians and Hungarians and the making of a new war unavoidable before the present one is terminated. The Transylvanian problem cannot be solved by making, once the Roumanian and once the Hungarian, topdog according to the momentary exigencies of power politics—nor can the problem be solved by partitioning Transylvania. If the peace of the world is to be indivisible then we cannot afford to overlook a single problem in Europe which might lead to war. We cannot longer dismiss the Transylvania problem as unimportant, for what may seem to us today “unimportant,” “small” or “far-away” may prove to be tomorrow the spark that sets off another world conflagration. (Remember Manchuria? That land too was “unimportant” and ‘'far-away” as far as the American public was concerned ... yet the Jap conquest of Manchuria ultimately resulted in Japan attacking the U.S. possessions. Editor.) It must be realized that there is a bigger interest at stake in Transylvania than merely that of Roumania or of Hungary. It is in the interest of the United States and of the whole world to eliminate in the Transylvanian problem one of the worst fire hazards in Europe. The United States and the world can no longer afford to let peace be jeopardized by the rivalries of petty states. The task of the future international organization for the preservation of peace would unquestionably be made easier if an objective solution could be found for the Transylvanian problem. A solution uninfluenced by propaganda but which by being dispassionate and fair would have the indispensable prerequisite of any lasting solution. Such a statesmanlike solution would change an international fire trap—as Transylvania is at present into an eastern Switzerland and make of it a potent factor in bringing about the general consolidation of that part of Europe. Any chance for this would however be irreparably lost if the opportunity for bringing about judicious solution were allowed to go by default, if the status of Transylvania were decided during the war and before an impartial and thorough study of this problem could be made, and if accomplished facts were allowed to prejudice an objective solution.---------------T--------------VIOLA CZOMBA R/N Miss Viola Czomba is the daughter of Mrs. Albert Czomba, of Jefferson, O., manager of Branch 487, of Windsor, O. Miss Czomba just graduated from the Glenville Hospital School of Nursing in Cleveland, O. Looking at her picture you can’t blame your editor for wishing to get under her care... Good luck to you, Viola, in your professioni VERHOVAYAN MENTIONED IN NAVY PRESS RELEASE (We all know of the tremendous importance of the Amphibious Force as an integral part of the Navy. Attila Simo, a member of Branch 276, of Buckner, 111., receives his training in this particular branch of service which is described in the Navy Press release.) Attila Simo, who has resided at Royalton, Illinois, is preparing for duty with the amphibious forces aboard an LST— Landing Ship, Tank—one of the biggest ships in the Navy’s invasion fleet. Attila has been assigned to the crew of an LST at the Amphibious Training Base, Camp Bradford/ Va„ where he is going through the strenuous training required of bluejackets who man the beach-hitting tank carriers. Heavier than a modem destroyer, the 300-foot LST lands assault troops and equipment directly onto enemy beachheads, under the protective bombardment of heavy warships and Navy planes. Despite its size and weight, the landing vessel is designed to navigate shallow approaches to hostile beaches, spilling its troops and tanks ashore through huge bow doors. Camp Bradford, where Attila is stationed, is one of a group of bases operated by the Amphibious Training Command of the U. S. Atlantic Fleet along the eastern seaboard. The Bradford base alone is readying thousands of Navy men to operate the ships of the amphibious fleet, fast growing toward its year-end goal of 80,000 new landing craft. Good luck and Victory to Attila Simo and his comrades!---------------V--------------Why didn’t they play cards ott Noahs Ark? Because Noah sat on the deck.
