The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Flags raised to honor Hungarian courage
1956 revolution marked
A small group of people raised flags to commemorate a 1956 Hungarian Revolution on Oct. 22 in Oakwood Park in Lorain.
The revolution began as a group of students peacefully protesting on Oct. 23, 1956, and ended Nov. 10 of that year in a bloody Soviet crackdown, according to men leading a ceremony at Hungarian Reformed Church at 1691 E. 31st St. in Lorain.
“1956 means a lot to those of us who came to the United States,” said John Peters, president of the Hungarian Council. “We took a chance on a new country. We had enough of what was going on in Hungary. We took a chance on the unknown.”
The United States welcomed them.
“They accepted us,” Peters said. “We became a part of the United States. We all worked very hard to make a better life for us and for our children. God bless America.”
Laszlo Somogyi sang a song in Hungarian. Others read poems.
The Rev. Peter Toth said 1956 was a very exciting period.
“That was the start of opening up new opportunities in the Eastern Block,” Toth said.
In Hungary, students showed up for a sympathy protest on behalf of Polish people, Toth said, but Hungarian police characterized the peaceful gathering as an uprising and shot into the crowd.
Several times government forces massacred
demonstrators, Toth said.
“That transformed the peaceful demonstrations of Hungarian people into a freedom fight,” Toth said, adding the freedom fighters prevailed in the end.
And it showed what happened behind the Iron Curtain was not that good, he said.
“It was removing the first brick from the wall of communism,” Toth said. “After that, it wasn’t the same, ever.”
Human ingenuity focused on making a difference, he said.
“Know that things can happen for humankind for ever, because good is going to be revealed,” Toth said.
“Unfortunately human ingenuity can be utilized for good things, but also for bad. Hopefully we can inspire each other to (good).”
The result of adventurers risking their lives was that people were dancing and singing again in Hungarian communities, Toth said.
“God bless you for taking the risk,” Toth said. “In 1956 you were witnesses of that miracle.”