Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
Page 6 V erhovay Journal THE HOMESTEAD MERRY-GO-ROUND By BRANCH 430 Corp. William On June 17th several banquets and meetings were held in the Pittsburgh area in the interest of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc. I understand that all of the affairs were well attended. These turnouts are positive evidence of the intense feeling of American Hungarians in this country for those poor starving and ill-clothed men, women and children of Hungary. They need help and need it now. Any delay might occasion repercussions of an unwelcome nature. Give now. Several weeks ago while talking with a highly intelligent young man, a person occupying a very responsible and respected position in the Homestead district, the question of the work of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., was broached. It was pointed out that the organization was functioning smoothly up to this point and that many men and women were working in its behalf without thought of any renumeration. We both considered this policy a just one because of the non-profit and charitable organization, receiving funds. Yes, we both further agreed that the need for high-salaried personnel was not evident especially when such details and minor bookkeeping could be handled by very competent persons who are aware of the urgent need for every cent by Hungary and Her impoverished population. The receipts obtained by the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., should all go towards relieving the needs of the Hungarian people. Little if any should be permitted to seep into other channels. , (EDITOR’S REMARK. It must be understood that the American- Hungarian Reliéf, Inc., does •not divert funds into any channels other than the relieving of the needs of Hungary’s people. The above remarks probably refer to the fact that the AHR1 employ two full-time secretaries. This stép of the Executive Committeee has been approved by the President’s War Relief Control Board on the ground that the swiftly developing movement can succeed only if at least two able men can devote their entire time to the cause. Everyone else works without any renumeration at all simply because the campaign is a part-time proposition for all the workers of the various chapters. The work of the two secretaries, however, involves much more than simple book-keeping and similar details. It involves, among others, constant contact with the various agencies of the government, with the International Red Cross, with the leaders of the various chapters, with outstanding American personalities whose interest we try to attract and with the leading personalities of the American Hungarian colonies where no chapters have been formed as yet and whose cooperation and book-keeping and accounting — made necessary the employment of two full-time secretaries with Qualifications enabling them to handle successfully all these matters. The scope of their work is such that no part-time workers could successfully cope with the task nor could it be handled by office girls or clerical workers. The President’s War Relief Control Board would not have approved the employment of these two secretaries had there been a shadow of a doubt as to the necessity of such a step. This has been pointed out before and it is reiterated here because the opinion of our columnist and his respected friend is one that crops up again and again.) MILITARY VIEWS FROM EVERYWHERE A big, tall well-built young man, 18-year old Johnny Kovács, son of Mrs. Eliz. Kovács of West Homestead and a member of Branch 430, quietly departed for military service on Wednesday morning, June 13th. Johnny eventually made his appearance at the New Cumberland Reception Center, New Cumberland, Pa., where he received his initial issue of G. I., from trousers to haircut. We usually refer to this as a transitory period. Regardless, our best hopes go with Johnny in his travels and excursions with the military. Amateur photographer and newly inducted G. I. Joe Fedor of 21st Avenue, finally located way down South at Camp Gordon, Georgia, where he is undergoing basic military training. No doubt Joe finds the training a little difficult but this is always the case. Ihcidentally, Joe’s brother, Paul, a Sergeant with the Air Corps in Germany, has up to this point received four bronze stars, one silver star and has really been places ... even against the enemy. It appears as though he .will soon be homeward bound. Tall, lanky, good-natured S/Sgt. Bert Nagy was recently transferred to Middletown Air Depot near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He had been stationed for quite sometime at an airfield in Ala^ barna, the land of sunshine, cotton and pretty girls. Jimmy Vajda, blonde and nineteen, completed his radio training at Truax Field in Wisconsin sometime last month and has been shifted over to Chanute Field in Illinois for additional flight training. Jim claims his studies are quite difficult and little time is left for recreation. An entirely unexpected reunion between two local servicemen took place recently when Lt. Alex Regdon met his brother, Water Tender 1st Cl. Joseph Regdon for the first time in over one year. Alex is with the 417th Army Bomber Group in the Philippines, while Joe, serving with a Seabee battalion on an island in the southern Philippines, enlisted in the Seabees June, 1942. Joe has already served in the Aleutians for 16 months and has been stationed in the Philippines for eight months. Both boys are the sons of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Regdon of Kennywood Road, Homeville. Sgt. Mike Rotz, recently liberated prisoner of war, returned home from Germany after eleven months and one day of PW rations. Mike is happy to be home amongst his family and friends. His experiences while a German prisoner of war are difficult ones and cause for .much thought. A GLIMPSE AT THE LOCAL SCENE A get-well wish is hereby conveyed to Johnny Hura, husband of member Jean Hura of Longfellow Dr., Munhall, Pa. John has been in poor health the past several months and his recovery has been slow. But we hope that he’ll soon be in much better health and able to navigate as before. Incidentally, a, year or so ago he was a member of the U. S. Marines, before being honorably discharged. * * * A fiftieth wedding anniversary is something the majority of us only dream of and seldom believe we will ever reach. But you can never tell. Here several weeks ago, Mr. and Mrs. Takach of 152 Dahlia St., Munhall, observed their 50th marriage milestone and they are both in good health and good spirits. At a little party arranged for them by their two sons, Frank and Lou Takach, they were toasted and made to feel that their sacrifices have not been in vain arid that they are both highly appreciated. We, too, want to add our congratulations and best wishes for continued good health and happiness to Mr, and Mrs. Takach on this occasion, their fiftieth wedding anniversary. * * * Our good member and fighting soldier friend, Pfc. Frank Lengyel, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Lengyel, 3800 Grace St., Munhall, finally walked the “gangplank” and plunged into the matrimonial waters. On Saturday morning, at 9 A.M. in the Immaculate Conception Church at Westerly, Rhode Island, Minnie Rita Gingerella, daughter of Charles Gingerella of Westerly, Rhode Island, became the bride of Pfc. Frank Lengyel, in a double ring service performed by Rev. David I. Lebel. The groom’s mother, Mrs. John Lengyel, and sisters Mrs. Paul Hasch and Anna Marie Lengyel and Dave Hasch, nephew of the groom attended the wedding ceremony in Westerly. The writer and the entire Verhovay Branch wishes to congratulate the newly united pair, and to wish them - all the success in the world in their new venture. May they be happy and prosperous. ❖ ^ * On June 1, 1945, George and Mary Robertson of West 8th Avenue, West Homestead, paused long enough to observe their 16th Wedding Anniversary. Both Mary and George attest to the fact that the years are going by too rapidly and there is very little that can be done about it. * * * Another wedding anniversary and this one the 15th for Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dolney of New Homestead, observed on June 18th, 1945. This couple can very easily be compared to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson because they too have shared their Joy and happiness together. Our congratulations are hereby extended to both couples upon having reached their anniversaries and it is our sincere wish that they may enjoy happiness through many years to come. June 27, 1945 They Gave Their Lives S/SGT. ALEXANDER GEORGE 154th heroic dead Verhovayan, son of the Manager of Branch 386, of Nanty Glo, Pa., whose death on May 7, due to an accidental explosion in Germany we reported in the last issue of the Journal. 156. T/4 ANDREW PITER, JR. We received the following report from Mrs. Stephen Sabo, Manager of Branch 396 of Jacobs Creek, Pa. “The members of Branch 396 and the friends of S/Sgt. Andy Piter extend their heartfelt sympathy to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Piter in the loss of their son. Sgt. Piter was killed in an airplane crash, together with 31 other member of the crew on April 23, 1945, North Barrulla, Island of Man. The plane was heading towards Belfast, Northern Ireland on a non-military mission and crashed enroute. None of the crew survived. According to the letter received by his parents from his chaplain, the funeral was one of the most elaborate ever conducted in that territory. Four army trucks carried flowers to the final resting place of our dear fellow member and his companions. “At the time of his death, Sgt. Piter was $53 years old. He was inducted into the armed forces on August 1, 1942. He spent the last two years in England with an Air Force ground crew. Prior to his induction, he was employed by the Pittsburgh Coal Company, Banning, Pa., after attending the Fayette County school. (Continued on Page 7)
