Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
September 12, 1945 VERHOVAYANS IN EASTERN PENNA. PAY TRIBUTE TO HEROIC DEAD ______________„__________________Verhovay Journal Page 3 (Continued from Page 2) The hall of the Hungarian Home was more than crowded.... There just wasn’t room for everyone by the time Mr. Joseph Magyar, president of Branch 216 greeted the guests and introduced the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Joseph Subits. Miss Valerie Kotzman sang the American National Anthem in Hungarian and then Father Perchick ' dedicated the Service Flag of Branch 216. “We pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America — said Father Perchik — and to the country which it symbolizes. We, the citizens of this country are idealists . . . we stand by the weak . . . we fight for justice . . . We believe in the rights of the little people and small nations . . .We fight for the purposes set forth in the Atlantic Charter, for freedon and the unalienable rights of all human beings, for as God’s creatures, we all are equal It is our duty to preserve religious freedom, it is our duty to preserve democracy by protecting human liberty. That is what our soldiers fight for and now that they will be ready to return, they want to see their future secure. They had to leave their homes and their jobs and now, ready to return, they demand their due reward. If that is denied to them, unrest may follow, upsetting all that had been gained by the victory they have so gloriously achieved . . hovay into the first place among fraternal Associations . . . Following these addresses, a play was presented, produced and directed by Nicholas HeRay. The play and the actors were the same as at the celebration held in Allentown, Pa., some time ago. After an intermission Supreme Treasurer John Szalanczy addressed the audience in behalf of the Home Office and the Board of Directors of the Association. The assembled guests gave him full attention as he expressed these thoughts: “The idea that the workingman should have a holiday dedicated to him, was born in New York State in 1882. In that year Labor Day was celebrated with more enthusiasm than, perhaps, ever since. Nevertheless, the thought was taken up by one state after another, until in 1894 Congress made Labor Day a national holiday. — Since then, even though there were often bitter struggles between labor and employers, Labor Day has always been observed by both, the working-man and the employer.... On this day, all America pays tribute to Labor . . . LET TRUTH BE UNCONFINED George Berg, Mayor of the city, spoke of the obligations that are ours as citizens of this great country for the liberty of which so many of our young men have made the Supreme Sacrifice. “It is our duty to preserve democracy in which the people decide, the people elect their leaders and the people have the last word on every problem. At the same time, we also are citizens of the world and, as such, we are interested and obligated to the entire world and its nations.” Mr. Heichler, Superintendent of Schools, a veterán of the first world war expressed his appreciation for being able to attend such unusual occasion. “Never since the first World War ended, did I believe that such horror will again come to humanity . . . Yet this war was even more horrible than the last one . . . and the number of casualties suffered by any one nation exceeded those suffered during the first World War. We have learned much, but most of our knowledge pertains t J destruction, little of it serves preservation. The atomic bomb has brought humanity to the turning point. Unless v/e learn tj live peacefully, we shall suffer complete destruction. America has proven itself a mighty nati.n in this wa. . . . Now we must prove that we can be just as powerful in peace.” The Assistant District Attorney, Mr. Long, expressed his deep admiration for the Verhovay for having found such a unique way of commemorating its soldiers who have given their lives in the service of their country. Both, he and the Mayor of the City emphasized that they have never béfore heard of a similar plan.... They were deeply impressed by the ingenuity of the officers of the Association who by realizing this plan have put the Ver The story of the Verhovay is somewhat like that of Labor day. Only four years after Labor Day was first mentioned, 13 laborers, immigrant miners, in the neighbouring state of Pennsylvania, decided to start a fraternal benefit association. And since that day the Association has spread from state to state up to this day, when we have fellowmembers of our organization in almost every state of the Union. Labor has built America. And in those days, most of the laborers especially the miners, were recruited from among the immigrants, just as it was with the Verhovay which, in the beginning, attracted only Hungarian immigrants, until it finally shed its nationalism to become a melting-pot of nationalities in itself.... During this war organized labor gave the man-material of which the various groups of our armed forces were organized. But even as soldiers-, the members of the armed forces remained laborers at heart. Laborers who knew what human misery means and who had compassion even for their enemies . . . They became heroes in times of emergency but at heart they remained peaceful working people . . . of the terrible misery they saw, willing even to help those downtrodden nations to a better existence, — they will not return with the intention to cause damage to our own land, to incite unrest and to demand more than the share that belongs to each and every citizen of this land . . . And the same compassion that fills the hearts of our soldiers, moves the Verhovay F. I. As sociation which gave more than 6,000 soldiers to the country 178 of whom will never return. This branch, too, lost three Of its members . . . every one of whom proved his courage and devotion as his rank proves . . . The loss suffered by their families cannot be repaired, the only comfort they may find is in the assurance that these heroes did not die in vain: they gave their lives so that we may have a better future and the nations of the world may find liberty and peace.” Then Supreme President John Bencze spoke of the Relief- Movement. His presentation of this important subject was one of the high-lights of the occasion which left the audience with the determination to render as much assistance as possible to the unhappy Hungarian nation. John Szőke, manager of Branch 216, then mounted the stage which was deebrated by stagedirector Nicholas Heltay in the same impressive manner as was the stage at the Allentown presentation. The branch-manager spoke the prologue and then the portraits of John Radakovits . . • Emery Nemeth . . . and Joseph Milisits were unveiled and presented to the bereaved families. The scene left the audience in tears . . . and then the memorial celebration ended with the singing of the National Anthem ... * ❖ * Mr. Lang, manager of Branch 98, was the host of the Verhovay officers in Bethlehem, and Mr. Magyar, manager of 216, in Allentown. In both houses they spent a few pleasant hours from which they returned praising the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Lang, and Mr. and Mrs. Magyar.----------------■—v—---------------CHICAGO BRANCH 503 CONSIDER MONEY VALUE OF A CHILD Comparing the past with the present I cannot agree that our returning veterans will bring unrest to the country. From my conversations with many discharged soldiers, veterans from overseas, I cannot help but conclude that they will seek peace rather than strife. In peacetimes they were first class workingmen. In war they proved themselves first class soldiers. In peace and in war they were patriotic citizens and Godfearing people. War hasn’t changed them. Those who were in Europe, told me of the terrible misery they saw . . . they spoke with compassion and not with hate . . . Now, that they conquered the enemy, they are ready to help him for they just can’t see people starve. The soldiers who have seen Europe and brought home the memories Juvenile Insurance Need: A1 widow with one child has a large •irjgurable interest in that child because of the Social Security benefits she receives. Here’s an example from the Northern New England Region: Suppose the widow is receiving $27 for herself and $18 monthly for the child, a total of $45, and i the child Is 4 years old. If that child dies, what happens to that income? It stops! Fourteen years of monthly payments at $45 per month equal $7,560.! Doesn’t that child have a money value, apart from the place he occupies in his mother’s heart?------------V-----------Justice remains the greatest power on earth. To that tremendous power alone will we submit. —Harry S. Truman Tact comes as much from goodness oj heart as from finess of taste. —Endymion CORFORAL JULIUS NAGY (Detroit, Mich.) wrote from Nürnberg, Germany, on July 9th and in part had this to say: “After being with the 5th Division since Xmas, we were transferred to the 83rd that was in Passau. I am with the 648th Tank Destroyer Battalion. All men here have 80 or more points and are waiting to go home. I myself have 86 points, with 5 battle stars, and am in for a bronze and silver star . . . While in Passau I met many Hun garians who were also waiting to go home. They all say they are tired of Germany. I spent two days in Berchtesgaden. The place is way up in the Bavarian Alps. Our bombings wrecked the place a lot, although you could - still see that the guy had nothing but the best. Our ball team is still together. I pitch for the battalion team and have won 4 games and no defeats so far. By the way, the Hungarian gals I met were also pretty. I sure had fun interpreting for my buddies. They wouldn’t believe how to say “kiss” in- Hungarian. Surely does sound funny in English.” We certainly do hope you will be coming home, Julie, by the time this appears in print for we are waiting to see you—especially the Detroiters! PFC. JOHN S. HUZIANY, who was with the 3rd U.S. Army in Germany, writes from somewhere Manila, in the Luzon island of the Philippines. His regiment was redeployed to the Pacific direct sometime ago, with no leave in the States. He writes in part: “The weather is very hot. Only when it rains it is cool. Unfortunately, we are here in the rainy season and it rains sometimes for 20 days continously. Let me give you an example: The other day it rained cats and dogs and when we got up (5:30 A.M.) the next morning it was still coming down. One of the bc-ys reached down to pick up his shoes and they were in deep waters. So he put cn his helmet and dove down after it . . . The ETO rues sure a heaven compared to this theatre, even though we were always at the front lines . . . The kids also have a favorite expression as they did in England: ‘Any gum, chum ’ France: ‘Cigarette Pour Papa?’ and Germany: ‘Haben Sie Cow co me?’ I also visited a Filippino school. The teacher was instructing the kids in English. There were about 40 of them. Some of them wore shoes and others were barefooted.” PFC. ANTON KOVÁCS, somewhere on Okinawa, wrote his wife that he has about 126 points, which should certainly entitle him to come home soon. SGT. JOE HODITS (625 N. Oakley) is home for a 30-day furlough, and is scheduled to go to the Pacific. Ón August 25th he married pretty Miss Mary Horvath. Congratulations to the couple! (We hope to have more news in the next issue). We understand that KATHRYN FURY, on duty somewhere in England, with the RED CROSS, was recently married to a First Lieutenant. We hope Kathryn writes us about the event. RUDOLPH KASPAR. S 1/C (4741 W. Ohio) recently was given an honorable discharge from the Navy. He was been to quite a few places but hasn’t told us the complete news and we are waiting for him to give us the info. EDWARD NOVAK A/S (2047 W. 13th Street), was hospitalized as a result of being injured while in training. He is confined to a hospital in the east and had his wife there for a couple of weeks. We hope Ed has fully recovered by now. PRESIDENT EUGENE PETROVITS purchased a new building, a 3 story affair, somewhere on North Avenue and will soon occupy the new premises and move his business from Clybourn Avenue. ANGELO AND DANIEL PETERS sold their places of business, which was situated right across from the Immigrant State Bank Building where our meetings are held Their new business is to be opened at Lincoln and Sedgewick on New Year’s Eve, as we understand. Our sincere wishes for the best to both President Eugene Petrovits and also to the Peters Brothers. Wednesday, August 29, 1945 THE SCRIBE OF KŐSZEG Book love, my friends, is your pass to the greatest, the purest and the most perfect pleasure that God has prepared for His creatures. It lasts when all other pleasures fade. It will support you when all othei recreations are gone. It will last you until your death. It will make your hours pleasant to you as long as you live. —Anthony Trollope BUY VICTORY BONDS This letter was dated August 7th.... we hope that we hear from Engineer Johnny soon that he is coming back for he has travelled half way around the world without a furlough. FRANK HODITS Sl/C (5120 W. Montana Street) recently was given an honorable discharge. He served for quite some time on the high seas, being in Africa, Trinidad, Pacific and ether places. Glad to see you back, Frank. TO THE CONTRIBUTORS The next issue of the Journal will be published on Wednesday, Sept. 26. Contributions for that issue should be in not ’ater than Sept. 19, Wednesday. Contributions should be typewritten. on one side of the paper only, double-spaced, and aot exceed 1200 words, nv 5,000 letters. Address contributions to VERHOVAY JOURNAL. ENGLISH SECTION, 315 IJ Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh 22, Pa 1
