William Penn Life, 1986 (21. évfolyam, 1-6. szám)

1986 / Különszám

Volume 21

Special Centennial Edition

After A Century, Our Torch Still Burns

Reflections

Of Our 100th

Anniversary

On this great occasion of celebrating our centennial, it is fitting that we remember the humble beginnings of our society and the adversities which brought together 13 Hungarian coal miners near Hazleton, Pennsylvania. At their first meeting, they collected $17.50 to organize the Verhovay Aid Association in 1886.

As we embark upon our second century of existence, we shall retain the same goals through our insurance programs of extending The Hands of Friendship, fraternalism and compassion to our members and others to further our benevolent and charitable purposes. These will be buttressed by our financial resources which have now reached $75,000,000.

Though we pause to reflect on our past success, we must look to the future with steadfast purpose to not only continue to grow but to provide more opportunities for educational, cultural, social and athletic activities and teach patriotism, loyalty and devotion to the American ideals of freedom and justice.

This administration will be dedicated to our youth, so that they will understand our past and our goals to assure the future of our society.

We also have another task inherited from our forefathers: to express and preserve our rich 100-year-old Hungarian ethnic heritage from the land of the Magyars. We know this is not an easy task in this complex kaleidoscopic, changing world. It requires aunified effort. I invite the leaders of the several hundred American-Hungarian organizations to join with us. Our Association, as a part of the ongoing programs to revitalize our branch life, will spearhead this endeavor.

Gay B. Banes National President and General Counsel