William Penn Life, 2007 (42. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2007 / Különszám
Celebration and Remembrance The Convention banquet was a time to honor the past WHILE THE MAJORITY of the Convention was focused on the future, the Association took time to focus on the past—it's own and that of Hungary ~ during the Convention banquet held Sept. 4 in the grand ballroom of the Hilton Pittsburgh Hotel. The evening began with a reception in the ballroom foyer where members and guests enjoyed a wide selection of delicious hors d'oeuvres and refreshing cocktails while listening to the Hungarian music of the George Bátyi Continental Ensemble. Guests learned their table assignments by picking up small picture frames personalized with each guest's name and table number. Each of the tables inside the ballroom were adorned with a set of miniature Hungarian and American flags, reminding guests of the WPA's commitment to preserving our heritage and serving our nation. Each guest also received a drinking glass etched with the Association's logo as a token of appreciation for attending that evening. The evening was one of celebration and remembrance. After dinner, Chairman of the Board Stephen J. Varga led the assembled guests in both as he recognized six former members of the Board of Directors and National Auditing Committee: former National Directors Anthony C. Beke, Frank J. Radvany, Michael F. Tomcsak, Elmer W. Toth and Frank J. Wukovits Jr., and former Auditing Committee member Joseph Hamari. All were honored for their long and distinguished service to the WPA, and each received a plaque and WPA wristwatch as thanks for their loyalty and dedication. Mr. Radvany received special recognition for his many years of service as the Board's secretary, a difficult and time-consuming job that he performed with unsurpassed attention, accuracy and dedication. National Director and Pa. State Rep. Nickolas M. Kotik presented Mr. Radvany with a copy of a resolution passed by the Pennsylvania General Assembly honoring Mr. Radvany for his service. All of the retirees received a well-deserved round of applause from the banquet guests. The banquet guests would later offer another well-deserved round of applause to the producer of a new feature-length documentary about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Entitled "Torn from the Flag," the film tells the story of the revolution through pictures, old film footage and recent interviews with many of those who fought in and survived those dark days. Klaudia Kovács, the film's producer and director, presented a short video preview of the film on large screens erected on either side of the ballroom's center stage. Ms. Kovács noted the film, now complete, was looking for a distributor to show the film worldwide. She thanked the WPA for the financial assistance it provided during production of the film, and expressed her hope that all present would do what they could to bring the film and its message to a wide audience. The evening's festivities concluded with more Hungarian music, dancing and fraternal fellowship; a welcome respite from the serious business of the Convention. Scenes from the banquet: (Right) Some of the approximately 250 members and guests-pictured over the next three pages-who enjoyed the evening. 22 ttilliam Penn Life, Special Convention Edition, December 2007
