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*age 8 11 \YH Testimonialarama \A/F of rennial £s »•ZAJEDNICA!^ Mary Vukmir Elberton (Ga.) Star THESE •saaausižmaiSL 1 s,V*| \V an Dick Crum \n\n National Home Office« CROATIAN FRATKRNAL INtOM Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania A-C-S Federation T~HAT the Croatian Fraternal Union is more than merely interested in the ef forts of the American Croatian Singers Federation should come as no surprise. Comprised of choirs affiliated with its two component Alliances, "Faller" and "Mihanovic," the Federation came into being at Gary, In diana, May 30, 1949, with the adoption of by-laws and elec tion of leaders to govern the at long last amalgamated cultural groups. on that historic occasion that the Croatian The Croatian Fraternal Union again showed its I'aitli in the future of this Federation when the Delegates to the So ciety's 9th National Quadrennial Conven tion of September 19-26, 1955. voted the ACSF another grant of SI,000.00. In short, the Croatian Fraternal Union may well be termed the "angel" behind the Federation. Without it, there would be no strong ACSF on the scene today. Or so we choose to believe. The Federation's next major undertak ing will be its 2nd National Singing Festi* val, which is scheduled to take place May 26-27. 1956, in Chicago's Orchestra Hall. Already all choii's affiliated with the "Faller" and "Mihanovic" Alliances are making plans to take part in what should be the greatest such manifestation of our people in America. Giving of his all to see the Spring Songfest through to success is Zlatko I. Kerhin, (Jary, Ind., President of the AC SF and for years a memlwr of the Cro atian Fraternal Union. He is "Mr. Sing" personified to every American not a shamed of his Croatian background. Acting as Artistic Adviser for the forth coming Festival is the eminent' Prof. Ru dolph Matz, Zagreb, Croatia, internationally renowned Croat celloist, artist and compo ser of years standing. And behind them, one and all, stands the Croatian Fraternal Unjion. ready and more than willing to help make the May 26-27 Festival a tremendous event. coined the above Convention. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 11, 1956 Fraternal Union first donated $500.00 to the fledgling Federation and pledged it its moral and material support. The Socicty has sincc done much to pro mote the Federation and never fails to co operate, whenever possible, with its lead ership and affiliated choral organizations. word for want of one to describe the Testimonial Ban quets tendered, or to be tendered, in honor of some of the officials elected during the course the Society's 9th National Quad Three sueli fetes have already come pass, one honoring Supreme Board Member John K. Mikan, Kast Rochester, Pa., another Board of Trustees President Milan Skrlie, Campbell, Ohio, the other 1st Supreme Yicc President Joseph N. Bazdarie, Chicago, III. Feting bro. Mikan were his fellow Lodge S5 members, with the members of*Lodge 185 doing like honors in bro. Skrtic's case. Saluting bro. Bazdarie were his fellow Lodge 32 fraternalists and friends. Next to be honored will be High Trial Board President John Badovinac. Cleve land, Ohio, former Junior Order Director and Supreme Secretary of the Society. He will have his moment in the social sun Sunday, February 5, 1956. Here again we expect to eventually hear of still another successful public salute to an official of the Society. And why not? Especially when one bears in mind that to be an official of the Croatian Fraternal Union is to be a member of the leadership of the 24th largest fra ternal in North America and the greatest organization of its kind on earth. In all seriousness, bros. Mikan, Skrtic, Bazdarie and Badovinac should be proud of the fact that their fellow members hold them in such social esteem. Nothing of the sort has ever befallen us as the English Editor, this in spite of the fact that we have been thrice elected to the post and twice, 1951 and 1955, led all Contention vote seekers regardless of "straight slate affiliation." Evidently English Editors are run of nine, or come a dime a dozen. ENGLISH SECTION BtfbHtke* November «, tftt. PubtteHeš weekly By The Croatian Fraternal Union Of America STEPHEN F. BRKICH, Editor-in-Chief Editorial Office«, S441 Forbc« St., Pittsburgh IS, Pa. Telephones: ML'seum 2-4470 2-4471 What Price Glory? /""\NE of our readers, in a "Letters to The Editor" column appearing on page 10, seems to feel that we fail to understand the great part Yugoslavia played in the out come of World War II. He is Edward Klinger, a member of the Society's Lyons, 111., Lodge 228. We beg to differ with him. To begin with, let us say that Yugo slavia "cooked Hitler's fat goose." It will be remembered that the then royal government of Yugoslavia on March 25, 1941, signed the Tri-Partite Axis Pact in Vienna, the beginning of the end. Two days later, March 27, saw the people overthrow their turncoat rulers and the late President Franklin D. Roosevelt refer to the day and date as "the turning point in Hitler's fate." Hitler invaded Yugoslavia on April 6, 1941, and immediately ran into resistance without parallel in history. So bloody was the battling between the Yugoslav gue rilla forces and the invaders that Hitler had to postpone his attack on Russia front May 15 to June 22,1941. This delay prevented the arrogant Ger man leader from reaching the gates of Moscow before winter set in and caused changes to be made in his strategy. Through the war Germany was forced to keep more than 20 of its finest divisions in Yugoslavia more than a million men desperately needed in North Africa, Italy and other embattled fronts. More than 500,000 enemy soldiers were killed and 600,000 captured during the Yu goslav campaign, a tribute to the tenacity of those they sought to conquer. Some 3.740,000 Yugoslavs took part in World War II. Better than 300,000 died in battle 1,400,000 perished as a re sult of the carnage and 425,000 were wounded, crippled, etc. The Yugoslavs paid bitterly to preserve their freedom, but freedom is cheap at any price as the Germans and their World War 11 partners learned in the end. Do we agree, bro. Klinger? A Damned Shame k jO man, or woman, can be lower in our estimation than the one who bears false witness against a friendly neighbor. So we have come to learn as the bitter result of having been asked recently to con sider an appointment to a community post only to have a woman "friend and neigh bor" question our loyalty during a closed meeting of politicians. Loyalty to what to whom? To our Country the United States? To some political organization? Or to her as a politician? We did not seek the appointment in question. In all modesty, it was the exact reverse a case of the office seeking a man capable of executing its civic duties. Further, it was a minor appointment, one which would not have interfered in any way with our responsibilities as an editor or made of us someone of political stature in our home community. Finally, the party who saw fit to bear false witness against us knows very well that no one can openly question our loyalty, be it to God, Country or Organization. But she did in the privacy of a home and in front of gullible people. Why do we say as much here? Because this person happens to be of Croat descent. Which hurts all the more. In Passing The assumption that ri val nations now arc more civilized or that nuclear war is too horrible to be permitted to happen has taken hold of public opinion in America. But Marshal Bulganin, the Soviet premier, in a New Year's Day interview, flatly con tradicted this assumption when he said that there was no certainty that hydrogen bombs wouldn't be used in the next war. Ilis purpose in saying so, he alleged, was to prevent peoples from being lulled into a sense of security which would tend to make them less interested in coming to agree ments to prevent war. David Lawrence Record Snowfall Belts Anchorage Shades Of Fourth Junior Convention Pittsburgh, Pa. The youngsters who were Dele gates to the Croatian Fra ternal Union's 4th National Junior Convention, held July 1-4 last at Gary, Indiana, will long remember the heat wave which engulfed the city dur ing their stay there. It was 90" plus every single day, with sweat pouring on all sides! Just thought we should re mind those boys and girls of those torrid days, especially when bitter winds, snow, ice, sleet and the like are cur rently the lot of most of us and a little heat wouldn't hurt. Try This On For Size Which brings to mind an Honorary Senior Delegate to that Convention. Charming Mrs. Mary Vuk mir of Lodge 439, who tra velled all the way from An chorage, Territory of Alaska, to have, as she put it, "the grandest time of my life." The Junior Delegates at that Convention were forever asking Mrs. Vukmir one ques tion:—"Is it cold in Alaska f" Well, here's the answer. Anchorage over the recent holiday weekend experienced the heaviest snowfall in its history. A steady four-day fall of better than 40 inches raised the total snow on the ground to about 5 feet and people had to dig their way around town. We'll Take'Gary Brand But "little" things like these don't bother Mrs. Vuk mir, her husband, Louis, and their children. Alaska to them is the most beautiful place on earth. Cer tainly in Mrs. Vukmir Alaska has a booster and supporter of the first magnitude. She's in love with it. We have never visited that American Territory. But if and when we do it won't be when there are some 5 feet of snow on the terrain. That's 4',- feet too much for these old bones of ours. Instead, we'll take some of that 90' plus Gary weath er of last Summer. Editorial Staff As They See It Of Cabbages and Kings e e s i a n s a y e wrong in the eyes of the law, but they hardly deserve the death sentence. The do-it-yourself move ment might be carried far enough to include thinking that way. The Boston Globe How do you figure a guy who insists on building his own television set out of a kit of parts, but buys his bow ties ready-tied? Fort Worth Star Tele. Sometimes a girl who dislikes a fellow's ways mar ries him for his means. Worcester Telegram I'm just a poor farm boy from North Dakota. Senator William Langer FOLKS LIKE NOT ALL WORK While life in Yugosla via may not be "all beer and skittles," the people there nonetheless find time for relax ation and spend it, often as not, enjoying kolo dancing. Which the above group was doing when a photography came around. The Croatian Fraternal Union's 1956 "Let's The largest of the six Y'ugoslav Republics, Serbia is a country of contrasts and natural beauties which have lured tourists from throughout the world. Here live a people who through out their history have fought every oppressor, ev ery aggressor, in order to remain free. To recount the heroic deeds of the Serbs alone would en tail the writing of book after Yugoslav Old Timer fess to be one. City Of 470,000 People But this we do know about Serbia from reading books and other material. Belgrade, the principal ci ty of Yugoslavia, is the cap ital of Serbia. Its 1953 popu lation was 469,988 people. o u I a ion-wise, Bel grade is larger than such American cities as Dallas, Texas Indianapolis, Indi ana Kansas City, Missou ri Louisville, Kentucky Newark, New Jersey and Seattle, Washington. This is based on the United States Census of 1950. Ohio Minneapolis, Minneso ta New Orleans, Louisiana and Buffalo, New York. Here again we used the 1950 USA Census as a yard-stick. And it is a modern metro polis, one of the finest on the Continent itself. TO HAIL CFU'S YUGOSLAV CAMPAIGN GROUP PARTY August, 1966, Visit To Historic Republic Of Serbia Planned As Part Of Croatian Fraternal Union's Yugoslav Tour Agenda Belgrade, Capital City Of Serbia, Larger In Population Than Sueh American Cities As Dallas, Indianapolis, Kansas City And Louisville By STEPHEN F. BRKICH, Secretary, Membership Campaign Committee Pittsburgh, Pa. We have endeavored the past several weeks to create widespread interest in the Croatian Fraternal Union's 1956 "Let's Visit Yugoslavia!" Membership Campaign through the pleasant medium of describing, in brief, some of the natural, world famed beauties of that land. Last week we took the reader on a paper tour of thef Federated Republic of Croatia, "stopping off at such spots there as Zagreb, Hrvatsko Zagorje, Rijeka, Karlovac, Gorski Kotar the "Switzer- ruins of Golubac, one of the land of Croatia" Delnice, Skrad, Brod na fortified castles of medieval Kupi, Fužine, Lokve, etc., all to be visited Serbia. On the narrowest part in August of 1956 by those who can amass of this Canyon one can see 750 Points during the Campaign now in on a cliff above the road, progress. The drive ends July 31. I built by the Romans in 103 Today we should like to "visit" the Fed-' B. C., an inscription cut into crated Republic of Serbia, from where many members of the rock during the reign of the Croatian Fraternal Union emigrated to the United States of America years ago. Many Scenic Backdrops Serbia, with the autono- Settled Centuries Ago mous Province of Vojvodina on the North and the autono mous District of Kosovo Me- tohija in the South, was On the plains of Serbia the tourist will see villages with broad, straight sts., neat homes with gardens in front of them, and scenic backdrops galore. A train ride of several hours will bring the visitor to the site of majestic build ings of ancient monasteries, erected on land chosen for beauty and maintained over the centuries with great re verence and care. Before The Renaissance In the rugged, mountain ous southwestern parts of book by authorities on that1 Serbia are unique monuments land, of which we cannot pro- of the history and culture of the medieval days of the land. Here the visitor will be impressed by fresco paint ings. on which traces and attempts of realism in painting may be noticed from a time preceding the Renaissance. WTtich is a "must" for art lovers. Also in this part of Serbia are health resorts with hot springs. Here those ill or in need of rest will find the cli mate to be mild and pleasant. And invigorating. Thousands annually flock to these resorts. Djerdap The Iron Gate The CFU's August Cam- Belgrade on the other hand I paign Tour Party will like is only slightly smaller in wise visit in Serbia one of the population than Cincinnati, greatest attractions on the Continent, It is the famous Canyon of Djerdap (The Iron Gate) on the Danube. Here this great river forces its way between the towering Carpathian and Balkan Mountains. Visit Yugoslavia!" Membership Campaign Grand Prize Winners will enjoy scenes like these when they visit that land in August of this year. All six of Yugoslavia's Federated Republics will be visited. As a special treat, the CFU Group Party will stop enroute in Paris, and returning in Vienna, Austria. Near the entrance of the Canyon of Djerdap are the the Roman emperor Trajan and known "Trajan's Tablet." Now, back to Belgrade. Better known to our people as Beograd, this largest of Yugoslav cities is situated "made to order" for a tourist. on the hills which reach the In the North the wheat slopes where the River Šava fields of Vojvodina stretch enters the Danube. far and wide, while in the South are the great moun tains of the central Balkan area separated by awe inspir ing canyons and gorges. Called Singidunum by the Romans, Belgrade has existed in history as a set tlement for more than -,000 years and because of its strategic position it was often the scene of battles between warring nations. Today, Belgrade is a mod ern, booming city boasting of attractive surroundings and looking ahead to becoming one of the greatest centers in Europe. Ivan Meštrović's Work Kalemegdan Park will in terest those who come to vi sit this area in 1956. It is an ancient fortress, parts of which date back to various epochs in history: The Roman Well, Nebojša Tower, the Ancient Gates and the Tomb of Sheik Mustafa. On the outskirts of Bel grade is Topčider, a park which merges with a forest. In the center of this park is the Palace of Miloš Obreno vić, a showplace of yester year and still a "must" for tourists. Košutnjak, on a hill above Topčider, is a natural park with winding paths and beau tiful surroundings. Eighteen kilometers re moved from Belgrade is the mountain Avala. On its peak is a majestic monu ment dedicated to Yugosla via's Unknown Soldier, the work of internationally re nowned sculptor Ivan Meš trović. Mr. Meštrović is now on the staff of the University of Notre Dame at South Bend, Indiana, and ranks among the most distinguished Yugo slavs in the United States. The Croatian Fraternal Union is the largest organiza tion of its kind on earth. January 11,1056. Dick Crum Sets Tam Kolo Classes District Dancers Rate Top Teacher Pittsburgh, Pa. The Du quesne University Tamburit zans proudly announce the launching of kolo classes which are to begin in Jan uary. These instructions will be held on a weekly basis, with Dick Crum, Choreographer for the Tamburitzans, doing the teaching. Deemed Best In America Mr. Crum has travelled throughout the United States as a kolo instructor and he has been acclaimed as the outstanding kolo teacher in America today. He has made two trips to Yugoslavia to study dancing. It is from this vast store of knowledge that he will draw the materials to teach origi nal, authentic and new kolos. In addition to reviewing many of the old kolo favor ites, teaching the new dan ces, he has also included plans for refreshments^ sing ing of Croatian songs and other recreational activities based on the music and dan ces of our people. First Class January 18 All of those interested are invited to write to Duquesne U n i v e s ity Tamburitzans, Pittsburgh 19, Penna., or call Atlantic 1-3498 for advanced registration. The date for the first meet ing will be Wednesday, Janu ary 18,1956. That is at 7:30 P.M. at Javor Hall, 822 North Canal Street, North Side Pittsburgh. Station Wagon Claimed The Tamburitzans would also like to announce that their award of a station wa gon has been claimed. Its proud new owner is Mr. C. Ray of Station Street, Wil merding, Pa. Many thanks to one and all who supported the Tam mies in this undertaking. May each and every one of you be blessed with a Happy and Prosperous New Year. —Charles Cubelic, Pub. Letters To The Editor Pittsburgh, Pa. December 9, 1955 Dear Mr. Brkich: As our Duquesne Universi ty Tamburitzans reach the midway point in their sea son's work, we cannot help but pause and look back on the entire succession of events with a little pride. At the same time, we can not help but note with deep gratitude the gracious a mount of time and space con tributed by you and the Za jedničar, the Official Organ of the Croatian Fraternal Union. It, therefore, behooves us to pause for a while and ex press to you and the Croatian Fraternal Union our deep sense of appreciation for your aid in the perpetuation of the Duquesne University Tamburitzans. May I extend to you and all the Croatian Fraternal Union officials my best wishes for 1956. Respectfully yours, Walter W. Kolar Managing-Director