Verhovayak Lapja, 1945 (28. évfolyam, 1-52. szám)
1945 / Verhovay Journal
'November 28, 1945 Branch 503 Member Tells Plight of Displaced Magyars Verhovay Journal_ Page 5 (Continued from Page 4) promoted relief for the people in lungary proper only and that’s vhy the Displaced Personnel was liven little attention. The reason or this attitude, however, was tot neglect on part of the Amercan Hungarian Relief, Inc. We mew that hundreds of thousands if Hungarians were literally iragged out of the country by the Nazis occupying Hungary md that thousands and thousands of them had been exterminated. But we had no ways of reaching lor of helping them in their terrible plight. According to the Charter granted to the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., by the President’s War Relief Control Board, American Hungarians were permitted to collect funds only for the aiding of the people in Hungary. Up to the' present, nothing could be done for the Displaced Personnel. We are happy to inform you that the situation has changed to the better. Before going into that, however, we must write you that your plea cannot be complied with in the manner suggested by you. We have no way of shipping parcels to Europe. Restrictions are still in effect and it would be impossible to get the clothes and other contributions to their destination. Help can be rendered only by an organization which is licensed by the President’s War Relief Control Board. We are certain, however, that this will not be to the disadvantage of the unfortunate Hungarians labelled Displaced Personnel. For it is our purpose to enlists the generous aid not only of the good people in Chicago but that of all Americans of Hungarian descent, in behalf of these unhappy people. The following is intended not only as a reply to you, Miss Fury, but as a plea to all the Verhovay members in the United States and their fellow-countrymen. In fact, it is also intended as a message of comfort to the Displaced Personnel and if you find any way to transmit the. facts reported in the next paragraphs, it will be appreciated by us and, at the same time, will give them new courage and hope in facing the winter. AMERICAN HUNGARIAN RELIEF, INC. TO HELP DISPLACED PERSONNEL. The Board of Directors of the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., at their last meeting decided that steps be taken to extend the asXO THE CONTRIBUTORS The next issue of the Journal will be published on Wednesday, Dec. 12. Contributions for that issue should be in not later than Dec. 5, Wednesday. Contributions should be typewritten, on one side of the paper only, double-spaced, and not exceed 1200 words, or 6,000 letters. Address contributions to VERHOVAY JOURNAL, ENGLISH SECTION, 345 Fourth Ave., Pittsburgh 22, Pa. sistance rendered by American Hungarians to the Displaced Personnel in the various countries of Europe. The Executive Committee was instructed to make every effort to secure the permission of the President’s War Relief Control Board for such extension of our relief activities. The Co-ordinator of the AHR. Inc., Dr. Tibor Kerekes, was requested to approach the proper authorities in this matter. This much is official. Off the record, however, we can suggest that the extending of the relief-activities to include Displaced Personnel will meet the approval of the authorities. We have every reason to hope that VERY SOON an appeal will . be issued by the American Hungarian Relief, Inc., for aid in behalf of the Displaced Personnel. Funds intended for the assisting of Displaced Personnel will be handled separately from the funds that are contributed for the people in Hungary. It will be made possible, thereby, to designate contributions for either Displaced Personnel, or the people in Hungary. There are many American Hungarians who are unwilling to send contributions to Hungary as long as the borders are closed. Some refuse to render assistance for political reasons. It is not necessary for us to argue this point: it is sufficient to say that it will be possible for everyone to send aid to Displaced Personnel, instead of assisting the people in Hungary, if so preferred. The Board of Directors were led by this consideration when insisting that funds be handled separately. We don’t know whether it will take days, weeks or perhaps months, until this campaign can be started. If there is any delay, it will not be caused by the American Hungarian Relief, Inc. The government authorities have consider many angles before giving the ‘‘go ahead!” signal. But there will be no undue delay. And then the appeal will be presented to all America. We know that Chicago will contribute, but so will Pittsburgh, Detroit, Buffalo, Los Angeles, New York, Toledo, the mining districts, big cities and small towns alike. We are very glad for having the privilege to present your report before the official appeal is issued. You give the members of the Verhovay first-hand information and the description of an eye-witness: a report without bias or ..prejudice. It will do a great deal for the success of the campaign once it gets started. No matter how truthful “official” releases may be, they are always suspected of presenting the facts in a manner suitable to support the cause which is promoted by those responsible forissuing the report. Your story gives us advance proof as to the verity of the official releases to be issued by the American Hungarian Relief, Inc. The fact that you are a well known member of our fraternal organization will strengthen the confidence of our They Gave Their Lives 181. FRANK ROBERT MARKOS Frank Robert Markos was only 16 years old when the war broke out. At that time he was a high-school student who, probably, regretted not having been born sooner so that he, too, could join the older boys in the defense of their country. But his time came, too ... and it came too soon ... He was horn on September 12, 1925, in Chicago, 111., and he was a member of Branch 503, the Senior Order of which he joined in the fall of 1941. He was a likeable, intelligent boy and the branch was proud to have him as its member. Due to his tender age he was safe from the dangers of war. But as the months dragged by, his time arrived, too, and he joined the U. S. Navy and was trained as a radioman. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Markos, of 2720 North Melvina Ave., Chicago, 111., were heart-broken when their young son had to leave but as the great climax in the Pacific approached and the day of the armistice arrived, they rejoiced in their hope for his early return after having gone through the war without harm and injury. But their hopes were to be shattered. Instead of Frank— the dreaded yellow telegram arrived with the following message: “My dear Mr. and Mrs. Markos: I deeply regret to inform you of the death of your son, Frank Robert Markos, radioman second class, USNR., on 22 October 1945, as a result of peritonitis general acute in the service of his country. When further details including information as to his burial are received, you will be informed. Sincerest sympathy is extended to you in your great loss. Vice-admiral Louis Denfeld, the Chief of Naval Personnel.” The sorrow of the mourning family is shared by the members of Branch 503 who suffered in the death of Frank the first fatal casualty from their ranks. And the entire membership of the Verhovay joins Branch 503 in expressions of heart-felt symphaty. May his parents find comfort in the assurance that he served his country nobly and made a substantial contribution to the victory of our armed forces which received no greater support than that rendered by the U.S. Navy. 182. ALEXANDER A. NEMETH Cpl. Alexander A. Nemeth also died after the victorious conclusion of the war. Accident again takes its place as the greatest harvester of death, especially in those parts of the world where the forces of occupation continue serving our nation. Cpl. Nemeth served with the Medical Corps. His company was stationed in Japan and their task was to bring new life to the tortured, emaciated victims of the Japanese prison camps. As a member of the Medical Corps he alleviated the pains and saved the lives of many soldiers ... until he had to pay for this noble service with his own life. He was born in Kulpmont, Pa., on February 25, 1925 and was a member of Branch 2 of that town. He is the third heroic dead member of that branch. His mother, Mrs. Alexander Nemeth, 1043 Spruce Street, Kulpmont, Pa., received the following letter from the commanding officer of her young son: “Dear Mrs. Nemeth: It is with deepest sympathy and sincerest regret that I write this letter informing you of the death of your son. Corporal Alex A. Nemeth, who was killed instantly when a truck in which he was riding, was struck by an electric train in the vicinity of Tokyo, Japan, the late afternoon of September 30, 1945. Funeral services were conducted the morning of October 5, 1945, at the United States Armed Forces Cemetery atop a hill overlooking Tokyo Bay and the city of Yokohama, by Chaplain Eugene Bailot of the 670th Medical Clearing Company. The funeral services' were attended by the entire company. The pallbearers, w’hose picture is enclosed, were, from left to right: Cpl. John I. Barger, Jr., Pfc. Rudolph C. Kaiser, Pfc. Anthony Zalensky, and Pfc. Maurice R. St. Martin. At the grave appropriate military honors were rendered by the guard of honor consisting- of, from left to right: St. Sgt. Henry A. Castro, Sgt. Robert C. Johnson, Sgt. Jessie D. Britt, Cpl. Frank C. Eberhardt, Cpl. Clarence C. Arbogast, Cpl. Walter E. Ammerman, Sgt. Harry Y. Shantz and Cpl. Andy V. Paolini, all of this * company. Cpl. Alex A. Nemeth has always been an efficient soldier who was well liked by the other men of the company. I always had the highest regard for him and I know this to be the opinion of previous commanders of this unit. Very sincerely yours Theodore M. Hansen, Capt., Med. Corps, Commanding.” A picture, taken at the funeral, was enclosed bringing to the mourning mother the final scene of her sen’s brief earthly existence. In behalf of the Verhovay membership, we express our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Nemeth and the bereaved family. THE MEMORY OF OUR 182 HEROIC DEAD SHALL REMAIN WITH US FOR EVER. readers in the dependability of your presentation. Thus, you have made a valuable contribution to this cause by getting us ready for the appeal. For this reason, your letter, as well as our reply, will be published, though in abbreviated form, in the Hungarian issue, too . . . And so, while we thank you for this letter, we ask you to rest assured that your fellowmembers and your fellowcountrymen will be glad to do their utmost for the Hungarian Displaced Personnel in Austria, Germany and other countries.... At the same time, we appeal to all our branches and fellow-members to support the cause of the Hungarian Displaced Personnel ivith as much enthusiasm as they rally to the aid of the orphans in Hungary. Let there be no delay: as soon as we get the greenlight, we must be ready with our contributions . . . Let’s act now to be ready when the time comes . . . AND THAT WILL BE SOON! Buy Victory Bonds
