Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)

1945 / Verhovay Journal

Page 10

THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND By

BRANCH 430 c”p-wilIiam

PITTSBURGH SCENES:

The enthusiasm associated with the organization of several units of American Hungarian Relief, Inc., in the Pittsburgh District is certainly a very pleasing development. Much work lies ahead and it will take constant plugging on the part of those in charge to meet the goal.

An interesting note on these local units of American Hungarian Relief, Inc-, is the prominent part being played by Verhovay officials and members. In the city of Pittsburgh, Messrs, Bencze, Revesz and Szalanczy are all quite active, while in the outlying boroughs, Mr. John Elek, Organizer Louis Cincel, UMCA representatives, Ignác Lengyel and John P. Toth are also all quite active at this time.

* * #

The visit of Honorable Gregg L. Neel, Insurance Commissioner cf Pennsylvania, to our Home Office in May was an entirely unexpected yet wholly welcomed event. It enabled our officers to reestablish contact with this fine man; this friend of fraternal orders. It also should be construed as a definite recognition of the fraternal insurance society.

MILITARY VIEWS FROM EVERYWHERE

In March of 1942, smiling Johnny Popely, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Popely of 18th Avenue, Homestead, entered the Armed Forces of Our Country, and some five months later crossed the big pond with one of the first and largest ordinance outfits to make the crossing. For six months he stayed in England and then shipped to North Africa where he has since been stationed. Johnny, a member of the 247th Ord. Service Plat., is a good soldier and recently was promoted to Sergeant, T/4. His being stationed in Casablanca for the past two years, should certainly have given him sufficient opportunity to mingle and meet with Arab and French, and become quite a cosmopolitan young man. We’re all trusting that soon a furlough will be in the offing and Johnny will come flying

C, Kohut

enter the Armed Forces. Brother Paul Fedor has been overseas for the past two years.

George Suto, my 18 year old coz, and fifth member of the Suto family to enter the Services, left via PRR and government accommodations on May 25th for a seven week get acquainted period with the Navy at Sampson, New York, which period is better known as ‘'boot training.”

A thoroughly experienced and battle-scarred seaman, Steve Kasmer, came home several weeks ago for a rest—and I think he obtained just that. He shoved off for Philadelphia and his new station on May 25th with his wife.

Lt. Joseph P. Tomsula, MC, stationed at the ASF Regional Hospital at Ft. Benning, Georgia, recently completed his studies in a medical specialty, Radiology, and in company with his wife and youngster will be home shortly on furlough.

M/Sgt. J, Black, husband of Elizabeth Toth Black, North Braddock, Pa., is due home soon from the Italian front. Youthful Johnny Toth, brother of Mrs. Black, was home on leave from the Merchant Marine and went to sea again on May 28th. His travels with the Merchant Marine acquainted him with many ports and foreign lands and his talk resembled that of Lowell Thomas telling of his adventures.

Andrew Timko, honorably discharged from the Army, recently took over his old duties as Homestead policeman. Andy was discharged after being wounded and having his feet frozen while in action with the infantry in Germany. His is a happy family now that he’s back.

T/Sgt. Bert Nagy and his charming wife, Dorothy, and young son, Bert Allan, visited the Homestead District and their folks during the early part of May—all three appeared in good health and good spirits, notwithstanding the fact that Bert and Junior both have acquired a distinct southern accent!

home.

* * *

Joseph Fedor of 21st Avenue departed Tuesday morning, May 22nd, for an Army Reception Center. Joe, an amateur photographer and well known district chemical analysist, is the second and last remaining son of Mr. and Mrs. Fedor of Munhall to

Seaman Johnny Kertes of 21st Ave., is home on leave after being injured while on duty with the U. S. Navy. John will soon be returning to his base for further hospitalization.

Had the pleasure of being in town recently and meeting up with Pic. Julius Kondis, exprisoner of war, Germany, his

OF FATHER’S DAY and OTHER DAYS

(Continued from Page 9) velop the enjoying of the family

Fraternalists are interested in this subject and we don’t think that it would be impossible to take this idea up in the branches and work it out as a part of the fraternal programs. It would have wonderful results!

First of all, it. would help the youngsters to understand their elders better than now when they hardly see them except — perhaps — on Sundays. It would also help the parents to understand their children which is sorely needed in our technical age in which we feed our children vitamins and forget to look into their hearts. And finally and perhaps most of all, it would help fathers and mothers to decircle which again is something that seems to go out of fashion altogether.

WHILE AMERICA GREETS THE FATHERS, WE GREET THE PARENTS AND THE FAMILIES. WE GREAT AND PAY RESPECT TO THE FATHERS AND MOTHERS, WHO REPRESENT THE GREATEST AND MOST GLORIOUS UNITY OF HUMAN EXISTENCE. IT REALLY HURTS TO SEE THEM HONORED SEPARATELY. IT SHOWS THE TREND OF OUR AGE WHICH CANNOT UNDERSTAND THAT A HUSBAND AND HIS WIFE ARE NOT TWO, BUT ONE.

Verhovay Journal_____________

THE KOBAK BROTHERS

June 13, 1945

Vi

S. 1/C. JULIUS KOBAR

PFC. COLOMAN KOBAR

PVT. PETER" P. KOBAR

SURVIVING STEVEN J. KOBAR, 132. HEROIC DEAD V^^OVAYAN

I

These three members of our armed forces mourn for their brother, Pvt. Steven J. Kobar who was killed in action in Germany on February 18th, 1945. They have a bitter score to settle with the enemy. All are members of Branch 42, Thro op, Pa.

brother 1st Cl. Petty Officer, Bert Kondis, and his brother-inlaw, Seaman Fitzgibbon of the U.

^Navy—it was a real treat meeting up with these good friends of mine and renewing old friends ships.

The Old Desert Fox, Captain Steve Nemeth, is believed to be taking part in the encounter against the Japs on that costly Pacific military venture, Okinawa ... we’ve got our fingers crossed for you, Steve.

Cpl. John A. Gyure returned one month ago from the Yukon District in Alaska, and after a good furlough journeyed to Nashville, Term., where he is now stationed.

Beach, Florida—he’s Verhovay member from New Jersey. Mrs. William Becze, 18th Ave. Homestead, now home convalescing after undergoing several operations at the local hospital... a quick recovery is our wish for her.

IMPRESSIONS AND REFLECTIONS:

My good friend, Al Steinmetz, loosed some of his pent-up feelings in his California Echoes appearing several weeks ago in our Journal. Yet, I can readily understand how A1 feels about the matter of Verhovay expansion in the West and sympathize with him. But now that organizing is underway in California, the entire Verhovay organization is alert as to the future in store for it there. I feel confident that our Association made no mistake when it took upon itself the organizing of Verhovay branches in Al’s Sunny California, and soon, Verhovay branches should be popping up like mushrooms in many of the Hungarian centers there.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE SOCIETIES PRAISED BY “FRATERNAL AGE”

Sgt. Steve Black, scholar and ex-school teacher, continues to serves Uncle Sam down in Lordsburg, New Mexico—I believe Steve will have opportunities to learn pidgin German there.

Pfc. Stephen B. Tusai, son of member Mr. Michael B. Tusai, was last reported on the West Coast and probably on his way to the Pacific Theatre of Operations.

S/Sgt. Michael Rotz, ex-prisoner of war, is aboard ship and on his way home frcm the European continent.

Sgt. Stephen, Sipos, McClure St., Munhall, is deep in the Slovak countryside.

HOMESTEAD MERRY GO ROUND

Jennie Horton of Terrace was discharged around the 19th of May from the Homestead Hospital where she had an appendectomy performed. She is improved and well on the road to good health. Mrs. Louis Cincel, wife of Dist. Organizer, Louis Cincel, has been seriously ill the past few weeks and it is our fervent wish that she returns to good health soon. Miss Helen Rotz, Terrace, Pa., after undergoing a minor operation at the Homestead Hospital is convalescing at her home on Corbin St. Mrs. Alexander Suto, Homestead, is visiting friends in sunny California—expects to return to this district, June 15th. Mrs. Gloria Marshall, the former Gloria Thomka of Homestead Park is the new organist at St. Theresa R. C. Church and she’s doing grand. Juvenile Member Jackie Shimko, 4, experienced his first air trip back in March, when his Auntie, Lois Wharton, teok him on a flight to Norfolk, Va., to visit Uncle Ollie. George Lizák, brother of member [Mrs. Ester Vajda, Munhall, Pa., is vacationing with his wife at Miami

The following is a reprint from an article which appeared in the May, 1945, issue of the Fraternal Age. We read the article with sincere appreciation and, we believe, it will give encouragement to the membership of our Association. It certainly proves that foreign born fraternalists or descendants of immigrants, have no reason to feel ashamed because of their foreign back-ground. As American citizens, we have done our utmost to further the cause our country is fighting for and, thereby, we have acquired the right to consider ourselves full-fledged Americans regardless of what our back-ground may be. The recognition given to foreign language societies by the “Fraternal Ágé” made us feel good and we want to share this thankful feeling with our readers.

# * *

FOREIGN LANGUAGE SOCIETIES IN THE WAR

One of the heartening aspects of life in America is the all-out support and co-operation of foreign language benefit societies in the war effort. They are called ‘'foreign language” but they are not foreign societies; they and their officers and members are just as loyal and patriotic as any other American. They are American societies.

We have observed their activities carefully because soon after the United States got into the war some busybody in Washington issued a directive that foreign languages should not be used in publications and talk in such societies. It took not long ot demonstrate that such printing and talk was more positive against Hitler and his fellow gangsters than that in prevailing language. The foreign language societies of the fraternal benefit system have participated in all patriotic drives with the utmost enthusiasm. Their suport of and contributions to the Red Cross, their purchases of war bonds, their donations of ambulances and other hospital equipment and the enlistment of their young men and women in the combat services have been admirable.

And while they were fighting for freedom in this country it was natural that they wanted freedom for their brothers and cousins back in the home lands. Freedom for Poland and other countries in the Balkans and the Baltic nations was as desirable as freedom for ourselves. However, because of our admiration for the foreign language societies, we have feared the outcome.

In the Bible we read, “Put not your trust in princes, nor in any son of man.” What agreements were made at Teheran and Yalta may never be known, but the results so far are not satisfactory. The late Will Rogers once said, “America never lost a war nor won a conference.” We are joining now with millions of others in praying for the San Francisco conference, where the deliberations will be open and the agreements knowTi to the world. We are also praying for a just and righteous peace. What the world will get, we do not know. Let us hope that the peace does not sow the seeds of more wars.

Whatever the outcome, the foreign language societies have demonstrated that they are among the foremost Americans.