Let Not The Light Of Freedom Be Extinguished! American Home over 100 years' p f serving American Slovenians Vol. 106 No. 2 American Home Ameriška Domovina' SLOVENIAN MORNING NEWSPAPER USPS 024100 ISSN Number 0164-68X AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 8, 2004 Phone: (216) 431-0628 e-mail: ah@buckeyeweb.com 70c Palačinke Breakfasts at St. Marys Happy New Year! Isn’t it great to open to January, 2004 in our new calendars? Here are some Sunday dates you will probably want to mark right away: January 11, Feb. 8, April 4 (Palm Sunday), and May 23. These are the dates of the next few palačinka breakfasts at St. Mary’s Parish in Cleveland (Collinwood). Breaktasts are served from 8:30 to 12 noon in the lower school hall. For those of you who may not know what palačinke are: they are a Slovenian-style crepe made with only the freshest ingredients, filled with jelly, and either folded or rolled. The crepes are served with a homemade Slovenian sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit garnish, bread, juice and coffee. While the price of the breakfast has gone up a dollar due to rising costs, it is still a good value at S7 for adults and $4 for children. By the way, palačinka is pronounced as pa-Iuh-CHEEN-kuh, in case you want to impress your friends with authentic pronunciation. Everyone is invited out of the cold before or after Mass to meet up with friends for a time of fellowship. Our St. Vitus friends are especially welcome, as are those from neighboring parishes. Takeouts are also available if you want to take a breakfast home to a family member, friend, or neighbor for a taste of the Slovenian specialties. The proceeds from the ‘ breakfasts are being used for the Parish Community Center building fund. Fall breakfast dates will be announced at a later time, and we are hopeful that some of these will already be held in the new center. Since the new center will be on one floor and handicapped-accessible, we will be able to welcome some of those who have not been able to join us in the past. These breakfasts have become very popular, and we are looking forward to seeing you at the first breakfast on the new calendar on Sunday,Jan. 11. --(S.P.) Slovenia draws USA in tennis The Slovenian women’s tennis team will play the United States in the first round of the 2004 Fed Cup April 24-25. The Fed Cup is the world’s premier women’s tennis tournament that takes place between nations of the world on various weekends throughout the year. In the 2003 Fed Cup, the Slovenian women defeated Argentina 3-2 but were promptly decimated by Russia in the next round 5-0. Slovenia’s neighbor to the north, Austria, has drawn Slovakia, while Croatia will Play 2001 Fed Cup champ, Belgium. The Slovenian men’s tennis team plays in a similar style of tournament each year called the Davis Cup. Unlike their female counterparts, the Slovenian men will not be playing with the world’s premier tennis teams, but will instead compete in a separate group for nations with weaker tennis programs. However, Slovenia’s neighbors Croatia and Austria will be competing for the world title in the highest ranking group. Austria will take on the American team in Connecticut, while Croatia opens against 2003 Davis Cup runner-up France. Slovenia will begin group II play in April against Poland. Last year in Group II, they defeated Ghana in the first round before losing to Denmark 1-4. Slovenia boasts a trio of women tennis players among the top 60 in the world with Tina Pisnik currently ranked 31st, Katarina Srebotnik 39th, and Maja Matevžič 57lh, the highest ranking male tennis player is Marko Tkalec who checks in at 477th in the world. Nineteen-year-old Luka Gregorc is ranked 722nd, while Boštjan Ošabnik trails at 774lh.____________ Thanks to Joel Arko of Cleveland, OH for this information. i%\ Printing Notice There will be no American Home SPARER PRINTED THE WEEK OF FEB. 1. _ .A P Dr. Klančar Opens Colorado Oncology Practice Dr. Lillian Klančar completed her fellowship in Oncology at the University of Alabama and has set up her practice at the Swedish Medical Center in Engelwood, Colorado. Her husband, Dr. Nick Slenkovich is the Director of the Plastic Surgery Department at the same facility. Dr. Klančar is the daughter of Pat (nee LaVigna) and Tony Klančar of Cincinnati, Ohio. Pat and Tony are former residents of Cleveland, Ohio. Lillian’s grandparents are the late Anton and Justina Klančar of Cleveland. Dr. Slenkovich is the nephew of the late John Slenkovich of Cleveland, Ohio. The doctors Klančar and Slenkovich make their home in Littleton, Colorado. They have two daughters, Emma and Nicolina. Four Decades of Polka Magic Another resoundingly successful Thanksgiving Polka Party celebration for our polka and Slovenian daily radio shows on WELW 1330 AM and worldwide on the computer at www.247polkaheaven.com. And “polka heaven” - it was the 40th consecutive Thanksgiving holiday event to come off without a hitch with our volunteer group, the Cleveland Slovenian Radio Club, Alice Kuhar Secretary. As always, it was a direct benefit for our self-produced radio shows of the past 42 years. Assisting us with the longest running radio program besides Alice and Duke Marsic, Patty Sluga, Ed Ostry and now also Mark Sedmak, who gives us a modem perspective to Slovenian music. It seems to be almost magical at the beautiful Marriott Hotel in downtown Cleveland while at least 20 bands performed over the weekend, November 27-29; Thursday and Friday for the radio programs and then on Saturday exclusively for the National Cleveland style Polka Hall of Fame. We’re also happy, as in past years, a number of local establishments do well promoting their events at the same time such as St. Clair Slovenian Home, Recher Ave. Slovenian Society Home in Euclid; Sterle’s Slovenian Country House on E. 55th Street; plus the newest venue - the snazzy and classy Sneakee Pete’s in Eastlake. The “magic” is in the fact that wherever you went, downtown or uptown as in Euclid at the high school, the major polka celebrities and promoters along with the followers were in attendance in big numbers, reminiscent of a major national music convention. No matter where you went, a real “polka family” friendly atmosphere prevailed as hundreds could be seen at the various functions having a real ball. I’ll leave you with the conclusion of a poem-proclamation, Thanksgiving Memories, that my WELW radio partner wrote, “Forty Polka Parties Tony, we know it’s true. Thanksgiving would only be a turkey... if it were not for you.” Thanks, Ray Somich and thanks to all of you for making Thanksgiving the polka holiday it really is in good old Cleveland for the past four decades. Slovenians: A Class Fact AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 8, 2004 ? AMERICAN HOME AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA 6117 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103-1692 Telephone: 216/431-0628 - Fax: 216/361-4088 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USPS 024100) James V. Debevec - Publisher, English Editor Dr. Rudolph M. Susel - Slovenian Editor Ameriška Domovina Permanent Scroll of Distinguished Persons: Rt. Rev. Msgr. Louis B. Baznik, Michael and Irma Telich, Frank J. Lausche, Paul Kosir NAROČNINA: Združene države Amerike in Kanada: $35 letno za ZDA; $40 za Kanado (v ZD valuti) Slovenija in tujina, letalska pošta, $165 letno (v ZD valuti) SUBSCRIPTION RATES United States and Canada: U.S.A.: $35 per year; Canada: $40 in U.S. currency Slovenia and other foreign: $165 U.S. per year (air) AMERICAN HOME (ISSN 0164-680X) is published weekly, except 1st week in July and 1 week after Christmas, for $35 per year by American Home Pub. Co., 6117 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103-1692. Periodicals postage paid at Cleveland, Ohio. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AMERICAN HOME, 6117 St. Clair Cleveland, OH 44103-1692. No. 2 January 8, 2004 MFLiCTSOMB BY W&Y Homey for the Holidays by RUDY FLIS Happy New Year! May your blessings be many. While looking ahead with excitement for the New Year, I must have another peek at last year. For a moment or two, I wish to relive Christmas with family. After four o’clock Mass Christmas Eve, Therese and I enjoyed having all children in our home for a delicious supper and the exchanging of gifts. It’s a great time for the young, and yes, a great time for the old folks, such as me. It’s about all one can ask for. But this Christmas, there was to be more. On Dec, 31st, the day be-fore, the New Year, a Christmas card arrived late. We did not recognize the name of the sender. Therese opened the card. With the card was an S'/z x 11” typewritten sheet, like those form letters we receive at this time of year. They can be interesting, but often are not. But this was not a form letter. It was written to my wife, Therese and I. It was a I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but couldn’t find any. —Phil Hrvatin IVORY CITY PIANO SERVICE Albert J. Koporc, Jr. 27359 Tungsten ‘Rd. Euclid, OH 44132 / 216-731-9780 letter of gratitude from a young woman who is now a wife and mom. Her name is Cindy and she was a grade school chum of my daughter Sue. In her letter, Cindy describes her first visit to our home, when she was invited to join us for supper. “We were quickly met by Monica, or as Sue referred to her, “The Pain.” She also remembered, “I sat at a long style picnic table. It felt like I had been dropped smack dab in the middle of an episode of‘The Waltons’.” As I finished reading the letter, I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. It had to be important to Cindy to take the time to thank us for something from so long ago. How grateful we are for this kind of letter from Cindy and how special it made our Christmas season. Cindy’s letter was all about a home, a family, and its effect on her, the results of a special mom and wife, “In my humble opinion.” Happy New Year! Lodge 25 Dinner Members of KSKJ St. Vitus Lodge #25 are cordially invited to the annual lodge dinner on Sunday, Feb. 1 in St. Vitus auditorium, after the 10:30 a.m. Mass. The meal will be served at 12 noon. If any member wishes to attend, please call the secretary, John C. Turek at (216) 531-0230. _____ Grand Ladies of St. Vitus Who are these ladies, the hard working ladies of the church? Some attend daily Mass, sing wonderful melodies in their own Slovenian tongue. Most are now widowed and are the backbone of the church, seen but not known. She might be your mother, perhaps, your sister, maybe not even a relative, just a friend, but she is always there, moving about silently, working diligently. Just who are they these little, silent ladies of St. Vitus parish? None other than members of the St. Vitus Altar Society. Every first Sunday of the month they gather together before the 10:30 a.m. Mass, pray the Rosary, and have their monthly meeting following the Mass. Monthly, they bake hundreds of krofe (Slovenian donuts), and sell out completely. These heavenly bakers raise their “dough” for the church, along with their annual dinners which are also always “sold out.” They accumulate enough to present the pastor, Rev. Joseph Boznar with a check to the heavenly tune of $10,000. This goes on year after year. 2003 was no exception. On the 14th of December, these lovely ladies gathered together in the school auditorium for their annual Christmas Party, and what a party it was! Mrs. “Santa” Plečnik and her hardworking “elves” had the tables set in holiday style. The main table was overflowing with the delicacies of the season. Um, um good. Believe me, no one went away wanting for more. Christmas carols were sung by the ladies prior to the blessing of the crib scene by Fr. Boznar. What a blend of voices, and without any rehearsal! The present board was reelected by unanimous vote because of their fine work and dedication to the cause. They are President Ivanka Matic, Vice President and Recording Secretary Gabriella Kuhel, Corresponding Secretary Julka Smole, and Treasurer is Maria Leban. A standing ovation to all for their many years of loyal service. Ivanka then presented Father Victor Cimperman with a Christmas gift. Then a gift of $10,000 was presented to Father Joseph Boznar to be used for future repairs in the kitchen, etc., or wherever needed, like perhaps a new stove. Wouldn’t that be wonderful? The present stove has seen its day. And wouldn’t our krofe just love to be baked in a new oven? Hmmmm. Maybe, one of these days? Santa’s elves then gave out the sleigh-full of presents that Santa left the night before. No one went home empty-handed. Tummies were full, arms loaded with gifts, and hearts full of love for their fellow man (ladies included). Another year comes to a close. A job well done. We remember our mothers who have gone before. We are now following in their footsteps, and hopefully there will be others to follow us. Special greetings to all for the New Year. Young ladies, you are welcome to join this organization. It is a worthwhile, heartwarming experience. If interested, call (216) 481-1514. —Your Roving Reporter, Just a Member Daring ideas are like chessmen. Moved forward, they may be beaten, but they may start a winning game. -Rev. John Kumse When I find myself fading, I close my eyes and realize my friends are my energy. -Rudy Flis Experience is a good teacher, but her fees are very high. —Ray Mlakar 100 WORDS MORE OR LESS by John Mercina ORANGE ALERT - SLOVENIAN STYLE The following cryptic message could possibly have been sent by a Slovenian terrorist who had access to The World Almanac 2004 during this Orange Alert. Decipher the message and you could be a winner. R E A G E T H F P A V E C B E E B H Y O 1 E T R N S A 1 L M T ' E R M R O C E 1 N A ? S D F E O E E. S P E G N A C N A E F V H T L R N T 1 1 ' O B R O E R 1 O N R T M s O W W F E [ E F L G E C o F T : O V 1 M O L -r T Y N L A R H T o 1 A 1 N R E A L 1 A N O E A L L W E A K N O H D S H M Y H S 1 S M C S F T O S D W C w | s i w F 1 S A R E N M E R N A c 1 R E M A W E R U 1 P E N O 1 T S E U Q S L | 1 E N E W s P A P E R S Life in the Refugee Camps 1948 _______by Anton Žakelj, translated and edited by John Žakelj (Continued) Wednesday, March 3,1948 Mire was summoned to a meeting with a British officer, who informed him that he (Mire) may be sent back to Slovenia, and that he should try to emigrate to England before that happens. Four of our other men were told the same thing. They’re not sure what to do. Thursday, March 4,1948 This evening, I attended a meeting of the leaders from each barrack. The camp director read a list of 48 refugees, including myself, who have been approved for construction jobs in Canada. The men will have to leave first, and the families will be allowed to join them later. All the married men said they will refuse to leave without their families. After the meeting we prayed in the chapel until midnight. Friday, March 5,1948 A number of us went to the IRQ offices, where we were informed that we will lose our rights to food and lodging if we don’t sign forms agreeing to have our men move to Canada without their families. We felt we had no choice but to sign. Sunday, March 7,1948 We maintained our prayer vigil in the camp chapel. This afternoon, Cilka and I went for a walk and picked some dandelion leafs for salad. Tuesday, March 9,1948 I got up at 3:45 a.m., and got ready to take a train to Wolfsberg to sell bobbin lace there. I reached Wolfsberg at 7:30 a.m., and visited a number of stores, but sold very little lace. Even people who had placed orders didn’t want to pay for their orders, and I could not get any new orders. I had lunch in a restaurant and tried selling lace to the diners, but couldn’t sell anything there, either. Hopeless. At 5:50 p.m. I took the train to Weisskirchen and then walked about 2 miles from there back to our camp. Wednesday, March 10 Cilka and I went to a photographer Kuballe to have our picture taken, and then to the city government office to apply for a marriage license. (We heard that some countries, such as the United States, might not accept our church marriage, and that we need to have a civil marriage.) We had to provide them with lots of documents and 42 shillings. Thursday, March 11,1948 This evening we had special prayers for our Bishop Rozman and for Pope Pius XII. Friday, March 12,1948 Some of our roommates have been playing cards every evening, with frequent loud arguments. We got our first lettuce; Cilka loves it; I don’t. Saturday, March 13, 1948 Our roommates Janko and Franc Demšar had an argument about boots under their beds. I was afraid they would start hitting each other, but others intervened. Sunday, March 14, 1948 Cilka and I went to the Leoben hospital to visit our friend Rudolf Primožič, who has been in the hospital for 8 weeks. He still hopes his ulcers will get better without an operation. Monday, March 15, 1948 This morning all the wives were summoned to the camp office to sign forms allowing their husbands to emigrate to Canada without them. Most of them, including Cilka, refused to sign the form. Instead, she and I signed a form saying that we will move if we can go together. Tuesday, March 16,1948 At 5 a.m., all the men in our barracks were taken to the IRO commission in the city of Gradec (Graz) where some of us were again told that we will have to emigrate to Canada without our families. They actually never got to me, maybe because I’m too weak and sickly for heavy construction labor. They examined some of the other men as if they were horses at the county fair: they checked their teeth, feet, everything. Jernej Zupan and I used the occasion to walk around the city, see the sights and try selling some bobbin lace. We returned to the camp at 8:30 p.m. Cilka was disappointed that I didn’t sell any lace. (To Be Continued) # j | Holmes Pensioners Happy News © © © © Nice crowd gathered for the December 10. Christmas dinner. The company was congenial, and the music was lively. Food was something else; it will be talked about for a loooong time. A big hand to John Kozlevchar and Matt Zabukovec, the driving force to get the party going. "People working together as a team is wnat makes our club great", says John, who ls quick to give credit to others. He mentioned many members, who contribute to everyone's well-being. Thanks to all! Past year was full of partings: we said 9ood-bye to many of our members. November was hard; we bid farewell to + Ros® Rogers, Anna Kuhel, +Mary Turman (Sister of Graace Sechnik), + Mary Van (Mother of Phil Van), +Frank Freda (Brother of Ed. Fujda, +Angela Vaccariello (Mother of Joan Chermely), +Tillie Vertovsnik, (Wife of Charlie of Zeke & Charlie); +Alice Somrak, For Rent E. 200 & Neff Carge one bedroom apt. New appliances and carpet. No pets. $450 a month. 440-951-3087 (Lou's sister), and our special friend +Gus Petelinkar. Gus fought a long, hard battle since May, but finally the brave heart gave out. Guess it was time to join his beloved wife Mary. May all our dear members and friends rest in peace; they will be greatly missed. Our sympathies to the bereaved families. Hope all of you had a blessed, merry Christmas, and happy times with your loved ones. May the New Year 2004 be happy and healthy for all. Good things are planned for our recycled teens; see you January 14, 2004! REMINDER, our meetings are on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 12:30 PM at the Collinwood Slovenian Home to meet old and new friends and have FUN, LAUGHTER AND ENTERTAINMENT. Krofe Sale St. Vitus Altar Society will hold a krofe and noodles sale on Saturday, Jan. 10. Happy W. ©©©©© Stlmburys Accounting Accounting 6 Income Tax Services 496 E. 200th St.. Euclid, OH 44119- (216)404-0990 Fax (216) 404-0992 taxtime@en.com http://stimburysaccounting. com BnM t Pratict Bttn 1» Muml Rtunue Smta StimneJndMijals Coponfons l Sir*l Businesses Anton and Cilka Žakelj were married in a refugee camp chapel on October 22, 1946. This picture is from their second wedding, on March 27, 1948 in the Judenburg city hall. They were told that a civil ceremony was required for immigration to certain countries. Standing behind them are their witnesses, Franc Kokelj and Mire Kolenc. Everyone is trying to look serious. (Photo by Rupert Kuballe.) St. Vitus Alumni News A very Happy New Year to one and all. May 2004 be one of Good Health and Peace. As the clock of the New Year begins ticking the minutes / hours away... get your “New” calendars out and mark the date, Thursday, January 8, at 7 p.m. to remind you to attend the first meeting of the year for the St. Vitus Alumni. It will be held in the Slovenian Room of the new Slovenian Village, a very ‘warm, inviting’ room. As in former years, the charming ladies of the Alumni will get the room ready in festive attire, and will ‘serve’ scrumptious, delicious, mouthwatering eatables to you. But you must attend. --Agnes Koporc Reporter The human brain starts working the moment you are bom and never stops until you stand up to speak in public, -j II od Ot 3BW 0 fr -.r.n nO Make the A odJ •j Kr.mJ; gas company wonder if you’ve moved. Our Freedom 90 gas furnace is one of the most efficient you can buy. Over 90% efficient - compared to around 65% for most older furnaces. You can shrink your monthly gas bill to a fracUon of its former self. And enjoy greater peace of mind, thanks to the Freedom 90 s lifetime limited warranty. So see your American-Standard dealer about the Freedom 90, and give your neighborhood meter reader something to wonder about. illi \ \ / / ^■STANDARD' \ \ \ J / / / Built To A Higher Standard GORJAH (440)944-9444 ■'uiinilyllirEf 207 A|pha Park Highland Hts, OH 44143 A Namr For AH Seatons’* eJW: iif f![)30 , JANUARY 8, 2004 Ska domovina, January s, 2004 4 Mlakar Walks Down Memory Lane m by RAY MLAKAR First and foremost, here is wishing everyone a Happy, Blessed and Healthy New Year. Here is hoping that Santa was good to all of you. No use wondering, Santa did not bring me an electric train, but than at my age, I wouldn’t know how or where to plug it in. 2 Before I go on, I wish to S express my sympathy to the < Snyder family on the loss of Jim Snyder who passed away last month. 1 got to know Jim Snyder and his brother Joe, both fine Slovenians and met them while going to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. Jim was one great guy and am sure he will be missed by his wife, Martha, and his brothers and sisters as well as his many friends at St. Theresa’s Church. At the funeral home the Rosary was said on both evenings of visitation by the priests and perhaps the one touching gesture at the funeral home was when two of the young ladies sang at his casket, “Mother, At Your Feet I’m Kneeling.” Although we will keep Jim in our prayers, I hope he will keep an eye on all of us whom he left behind. Since I have been going to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church I have met numerous Slovenians through the Snyder’s, for it seems that every week Joe Snyder is introducing me to a new Slovenian parishioner. I was fortunate in meeting Ursula Wein from Euclid, Ohio who drives in every Sunday and also brings with her another Slovenian Mrs. Kontnik. Ursula was happy this Christmas having her son and his wife come home for the holidays since he got leave from the Air Force. I got to meet Lt. Wein who is a fine officer and have to admire him in that talking with him he has been in the Air Force for some time now and came up through the ranks, first as an enlisted man and now as a commissioned officer. Here is wishing him the best of luck and happiness and if “mom” sends him this paper, I want him to know that 1 am sending up special prayers to St. Theresa for him and his wife. St. Theresa already let me know that it will take nine months for her to answer “our request.” Have patience, Lt. Wein for anything worthwhile, sometimes takes nine months. Some of the fine Slovenian folks I have met at St. Theresa’s have come long distances to hear Mass there. For. instance there is John Tindel who hails from Barberton, Ohio, and then there is Gus Rus and his wife who trot in every Sunday from Elyria. Gus surprised us a few weeks ago with good old Slovenian sausage sandwiches for our after Mass coffee klatch. Gus made the sausages himself and when it comes to making sausage, he knows what he is doing. This past weekend 1 took it upon myself to surprise them and brought in baked ham sandwiches, but then I was up until midnight Saturday putting the sandwiches together and had special rolls made for the sandwiches that tasted almost like krofe. I made up a special treat for the kids, a veggie tray with veggie dip and Brussels sprouts, cucumbers, carrots, baby tomatoes, celery and I - can truly say that some of those tots took after those veggies like rabbits and washed it down with chocolate milk that I had also brought. Now that I think of it, 1 had to laugh for the Sunday prior, which was the Sunday right after Christmas, Joe Snyder remarked to me that he had brought a fist full of dollar bills and wanted to pass them out to the kids at the “After Mass Brunch” providing they came up to him and wished him a Merry Christmas. He said, “You know, Ray, only one kid came up to me and wished me a Merry Christmas.” Really, I said, I’m gonna have to help you out and so the first kid I seen walk thru the hall, I stopped him and said, “Aren’t you gonna wish Joe a Merry Christmas?” The young tot came and shook Joe’s hand and said, “Merry Christmas, Joe,” and Joe gave him a crisp dollar bill and soon I seen another young lad come, and I asked, “Aren’t you gonna wish Joe a Merry Christmas?” and he stepped forward and wished Joe a Merry Christmas and the tots went out in the hall and told other little kids, and soon Joe had quite a few youngsters in front of him wishing him a Merry Christmas and getting one dollar bills. Joe was as happy as a lark for the week prior he was at St. Lawrence, in his old neighborhood where he played the role of Santa at their Slovenian National Home. While Joe was handing out those dollar bills, I thought I would get on the band wagon and said, “Merry Christmas, Joe,” but he did not give me a dollar bill, but then that is the story of my life, day late, dollar short and no electric train. Well, here I am more than half way finished and no jokes yet. Come on, Ray. Let’s see, oh yes, here is one. A friend, Jan, sent her three children, Heather, Ethan, and Kathy out to play, giving them a bag of potato chips to eat for their snack. It wasn’t long before Kathy came back into the house sobbing. She threw her arms around her mother and cried, “Heather and Ethan ate all the potato chips. That’s not fair.” Kathy, Jan confessed, life is not always fair. I’m not talking about life, Kathy said, I’m talking about potato chips. Hey, that’s it. Only one joke for this week, but will make up for it in future issues and coming to the bottom of the page. I did not even get back to St. John’s Hospital and dad being confined there with his stroke, but then I guess that will have to wait until next week, too. I want to leave a little space in my column this week in hopes that Rudy Flis will give us the down to earth recipe for “his potica.” Come on Rudy, share your knowledge or we are all coming to your house, ready or not. In closing here is hoping you all have a healthier New Year in 2004 and May the Good Lord Bless and Watch over all of you and keep you in his loving care. While I am asking God’s help, here is hoping he keeps his eye on me for it seems that all my doctors want to take pictures on the INSIDE of my body and that is no fun, for unfortunately they do not use a 35MM camera like we do, but go in with dyes and wires and needles and needless to say 1 got more holes in me that a block of Swiss cheese. Genealogists Cancel Meeting The Slovenian Genealogy Society International meetings scheduled at the Parma Regional Library on Monday, Jan. 12 and at the Euclid Public Library on Tuesday, Jan. 13 have been canceled. Meetings will resume in April. There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. —Edith Wharton For Rent Up/Cozy Duplex 18031 Neff Rd. Appl. Inc. $575/month (216)310-8310 Don’t be content to wait and see what will happen, but have the determination to make the right things happen. —Ray Mlakar It took John and Mary 6 months to build their home, 5 years to establish their business, and a lifetime to raise their family. How much time did it take them to plan their estate? KSKJ's Single Premium Whole Life Certificate structures an estate plan in very little time. With only one premium payment, you can: • Provide tax-free income for loved ones • Avoid costly and time-consuming probate • Cover final expenses • Create an education fund for loved ones • Structure retirement income • Increase your assets Find out how easy it is to deal with issues that matter. Proudly serving the needs of more than 26,000 members nationwide since 1894. American Slovenian Catholic Union, KSKJ 2439 Glenwood Avenue | Joliet, II 60435 Toll Free: 800.843.5755 | Web: www.kskjlife.com Life insurance is not for those who die. It's for those who live. tSt. Qy'ttui ^Vittacjs. 6114 Lauschc Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44103 Are you ready to enjoy your retirement? Well then, St. Vitus Village may be the place for you. The village is a pleasant, relaxing environment with a large, beautifully landscaped courtyard. The village apartments are complete with appliances, including a washer and dryer. The facility has surveillance cameras, secured parking, fire protection, 24 hour emergency monitoring, cable TV and much much more. Feel free to contact Rudy Sterk at (216) 361-0300 with any question on how you or a family member can become a resident in our very special community. I n ...—.......... —— 5 Star-Studded Cast at Polka Awards by CECILIA V. DOLGAN A star-studded cast of entertainers thrilled a nearcapacity audience at the National Cleveland Style Polka Hall of Fame Awards Show XVI, at Euclid High School Auditorium. Master of Ceremonies Ray Somich set the mood of Polkas on the Air” by tracing the origins of polka music s impact starting with early radio, through television programs, and present-day Internet. Audio clips of Martin Antončič, who was the host of the oldest Slovenian program in America, and Hall of Famer Kenny Bass, who presided on the airwaves in the 1950s, 60s, and 703, were played to introduce the different eras. Paul Wilcox, who was one of six Trustee Honor Roll recipients, was seen in a video segment from the former “Polka Varieties” television show, as he introduced a new band the “Mis-Tre” in 1980. A transition to the main stage spotlighted the band - 23 years later - much lo the delight of the audi-once. The blast from the Past reunited band members Joey Miskulin, Lou Trebar, Norm Kobal, Willie Strah, and Dave Wolnik. Representing the early live radio broadcasts was a male vocal trio of Dave Skrajner, Ken Umeck, and Don Wojtila, who later sang the Greatest Hit Waltz, Zaplula.” Tracy Glover and Jesse Godina, who recently recorded with, respectively, Ray Polantz and Pat Gray, depicted the Lausche-dovich duet team with a rendition of “Jaz Pa Pojdem Na Gorenjsko” with the All-Star band, under the direction of Fred Ziwich. Simcic's Waltz, the other Greatest All-Time Hit Song voted by the 1600 members of the Polka Hall of Fame, was played by the original recording artists, Don Pecek and Don Wojtila. The 50th anniversary of the music of Slavko Avsenik was acknowledged with a video message from Slovenia by the composer, while a medley of Avsenik polkas was sung by Gary Byndas, Cecilia Dolgan, and Christine Hibbs. Steve Meisner and his band from Wisconsin concluded the musical portion of the program with a fitting medley of polka hits. All the presenters at this year’s show were disc jockeys or radio hosts from all parts of the country. The presenters were: Bettv Crano, Matt Schafer, Pauline Anderson, Tony Ovsenik, Val Pawlowski, Chuck Esposito, Del Sinchak, Jack Tady, Gene and Joe Fedor-chak, Dale and Denny Bucar, Ray Zalokar, and Greg Drust. Joey Miskulin presented Lifetime Achievement winner Roman Possedi, who gave Joey a start on stage at age 12. Accordionist Fred Gregorich presented Sam Pugliano with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Trustees Wayne Tomsic and Linda Hochevar awarded the Trustees Honor Roll plaques to John Habat, Don Kotnik, posthumously; Don Krance; Benzy Rath-bone, posthumously; Eddie Vallus, and Paul Wilcox. President Cecilia Dolgan and Chairman Tony Petkovšek presented an honorary award to out-going Mayor of Euclid Paul F. Oy-aski, for support of the organization during his term in office. The All-Star Band performed on stage and featured a talented group of musicians: Bob Kravos, Dick Tady, Rich Deonofrio, Vic Psznick, Bruce Burger, /imamu • * * — Denny Bucar, Kim Rodick, and leader Fred Ziwich. The pre-show entertainment was provided in the lobby by Lipa Park Button Box Club and members of the Captain’s Crew. The show was directed by Phil Smick. Thanks to Rita Mihelich and Fran Chumey for advance planning in the auditorium, logistics chairman George Staiduhar, make-up artist Marilyn Garbarino, Escorts: Amanda Fordyce, Andreana Somich, and Nicholas Somich, florist James Slapnik Jr., for donating the flowers, and to the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche for counting the ballots. The show will be available on video after the first of the year and will be shown on Adelphia cable system at a later date. The Meet the Winners dance had more than 700 people in attendance, including buses from Canada and Pennsylvania, the polka fans were treated to seven hours of non-stop music, starting with Joe Novak and Friends, Frank Moravcik Orchestra, and the Eddie Rodick Band. George Staiduhar and the Revue took top honors as Band of the Year at the 15th annual Awards Show of the National Cleveland-Style Polka Hall of Fame in Euclid. Staiduhar, a resident of Wickliffe, succeeds Eddie Rodick of Concord Township, who won the honor last year and who was named Musician of the Year for 2003. The 2003 Annual Award winners announced at the show were: Support/Promotion - Ken Zalar, Timberlake Cultural/Heritage - Penn-Ohio Polka Pals Boosters Minnesota’s Polka Priest, Fr. Frank Perkovich, left, and Euclid Mayor Paul Oyaski. All photos by TONY GRDINA ~ Left to right, Duke Marsic, Tony Petkovšek, Alice Kuhar, and Joe Fedorchak Club, Youngstown. Best Vocalist - Christine Hibbs, Chester Township Button Accordion - Individual - Kathy Hlad, Euclid Button Accordion Group - Captain’s Crew, Euclid Musician of the Year -Eddie Rodick, Concord Township Sidemen of the Year -Eddie Klančnik, Nashville, TN, Wayne Habat, Euclid, and Ron Sluga, Willowick. Recording of the Year -Greatest Slovenian Hits -Dick Tady, Pittsburgh, PA Band of the Year -George Staiduhar and the Revue, Wickliffe Out-going Mayor of Euclid, Paul F. Oyaski, received an honorary award from the Polka Hall of Fame for support of the organization during his tenure. The friends we meet on the path of life makes the trip worthwhile. Attention I edges and all other Organizations Please send in the names of your officers for 2004 along with your $30.00 roster payment as soon as possible. Thank you. Left to right, Michael Benz of Kollander World Travel, Cleveland Councilman Mike Polenšek, and Tony Petkovšek, Chairman of the Polka Foundation Iwi VtiimutU Vdk America's Longest Running Daily Show Since 1961 2 Hours Daily 3-5 pm / Saturdays 12-2 pm From Kollander World Travel, 971 East 185th St. • Cleveland and Harbortowne Point, Fairport Harbor Simulcast in Lake County on Ch. 28, AT&T Broadband Cable (216) 481-8669 or (216) 952-8669 "At the pulse of an ever busy polka and Slovenian Community" Offering complete Community News daily and phone in Polka Opinion every Monday Featuring: ALICE KUHAR (Recipes and Traditions) DUKE MARSIC (Strictly Slovenian News) PATTY SLUGA (Women's Interviews) ED OSTRY (Guest co-host) AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 8, 2004 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 8, 2004 6 Concert of Sacred Songs at St. by STANE KUHAR The Christmas holy days and holidays are slowly fading from history. But the spectacular concert of Sacred Christmas songs by the St. Vitus Choir will remain warm memories in the hearts and minds of all those who attended the events. On Sunday, December 28 the St. Vitus (Christmas) Choir performed a wide variety and diversity of Sacred Christmas songs to a nearly packed St. Vitus Church. The pleasant and sunny winter day gave even more reason to attend the after-nodrt ' performance of song and music and appreciate the wonderment of Christmas. In^1’accordance with the reason for the Christmas concert, glorifying the birth of Christ, St. Vitus Church was filled with music and words in English, Latin, Italian, and Slovenian as well as the sounds of violins, viola, cello, and the church’s historic Holtkamp organ. Mojca Slak presented at each set of songs an overview regarding the meaning and reasons for the songs. The first selection was the traditional Christmas song “Sveta Noč” (Silent Night), composed by the Austrian Franc Gruber. The first set then moved to the Latin composition of “Resonet in Laudibus” (Handl) Gallus, followed by “Carol of the Bells” (Leontovich), and then to the English translation of the traditional Spanish Christmas song “Fum, Fum, Fum,” (arr. by Parker & Shaw). The second set started with the Slovenian composition of “Rajske Strune Zadonite” (Sicherl), followed by the beautifully sung song of “Do You Hear What I hear?” (Regney/-Shayne), and then to the Bach composition of “Break Forth.” The concert continued with the Slovenian composition of “Počivaj milo De-tece” (Cerar), moving to “Nativity Carol” (Rutter), and then to “In the Bleak Mid-Winter” (Drake), whereby a number of soloists provided a richness of voices in the church. The next composition to be sung was by Slovenian composer Rihar under the title of “Zveličar nam je rojen zdaj,” followed by a second Slovenian song entitled “Bodi pozdravljeno Detece sveto” (Levicnik-Kramar), then to the English version of the Italian Christmas song “O Bambino” (Carpa/-Velona). The final set consisted of the often powerful words and notes from Handel’s “The Messiah.” A prelude to the three Handel compositions was the Latin song of “Ave Maria” (Arcadelt, a French composer). The three Handel songs were “And the Glory,” “Glory to God,” concluding with “Hallelujah Chorus.” The program concluded with the traditional Slovenian Christmas composition of “Polnočni Zvon” (The Midnight Bell), whereby the traditional church bell ringing occurs at the traditional Midnight Mass on Christmas. Choirmaster John Srsen and Father Boznar, pastor of St. Vitus, correctly noted in their respective comments that the Concert of Sacred Christmas Songs, established 12-to-13 years ago, is a wonderful gift provided to the parish and broader community in northeast Ohio by this group of dedicated singers who had already sung at Midnight Mass, the Masses on Christmas Day, for a wedding on Saturday, as well as the Masses on Sunday including the sung Marian Litanies. By any stretch of the imagination, this is an enormous amount of singing with the time span of three days. Refreshments and light food was provided gratis in the lower church hall immediately after the concert. The same concert was also provided two days earlier in St. Mary of the Assumption Church (Collinwood). Our congratulations to Choirmaster John Srsen. The 2003 Christmas choir consisted of the following voices: Sopranos: Lauren Calevich, Richie Celestina, Musi Coffelt, Sonia Domanko, Rachael Gaser, Christina Jakomin, Martina Jakomin, Verena Krištof, Christy Mihelich, Lisa Ovsenik, Mary Petelin, Teja Petelin, Mimi Režonja, Blažena Rihtar, Andrea Srsen, Victoria Yuko, Monika Zalar, and Ann Žakelj. Alto singers were Joanne Celestina, Marta Futey, Anna Gaser, Nicole Kusold, Margie Lavrisha, Nadi Lavrisha, Pam Ovsenik, Monika Perčič, Suzi Rihtar, Christie Srsen, Toni Srsen, Mary Ann Vogel, Elizabeth Yuko, and Viktorija Zalar. Tenor singers were Erik Kobal, Adam Kristanc, Michael Kusold, Tony Mihelich, Nick Perčič, Milan Rihtar, Johnny Srsen, and Martin Tominc. Bass singers were Mark Celestina, Joseph Futey, Joseph Gaser, Dan Lavrisha, Paul Lavrisha, Bart Slak, Matt Srsen, and Tony Srsen. Principal organ player was William Patrick accompanied by the string musicians of Liz Rothenbusch (I violin), Joseph Štepec (II violin), Laura Schuster (viola), and Robert Rist (cello). Who knows? Perhaps next year all of northeast Ohio may hear and view this concert via television transmission as well as simulated radio transmission. Ending note: Anyone interested in purchasing the choir’s cassette or CD of Sacred Songs as well as a number of Marian hymns, write to St. Vitus Rectory, 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44103. House for Sale 4 bdrm single home, 5511' & St. Clair Ave. $35,000/obo (216) 391-1515 Bill Leave a message. Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other. It is the place of confidence. It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without any dread < f ridicule. —Frederick W. Robertson Don’t let winter get you down! Rent a condo out-of-town. Call 1-216-261-1050 now for the best price and selection. 22078 Lakeshore Blvd. Euclid, Ohio 44123 1-216-261-1050, 1-800-659-2662 euclidtravel@aol.com travel@euclidtravel.com ini ■ mf\ CondoCentre .1 DniMonoi i:i a.M)TR.\vi-:i. True prosperity is the result of well placed confidence in ourselves and our fellow man. _—Benjamin Burt Membership Certificate Holders Annual Meeting Slovenian Society Home 20713 Recher Avenue Euclid, OH 44119 Sunday, Feb. 8, 2004 2:00 p.m. We invite all certificate holders and lodge and club representatives to attend. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Specialists Corrective Hair Coloring tina & brenda’s inj 18 HAIR SALON 5216 Wilson Mills Road 461-7989 / 461-0623 Richmond Hts., Ohio 441431 Vitus Happy Birthday SHA Residents Birthday greetings to the following residents of the Slovene Home for the Aged who were bom in the month of January: 1-04 - Raymond Pettek, 83, bom in Cleveland. 1-13 - Adele Siauciunas, 87, bom in Lithuania 1-15 - Frank Ivancic, 80, bom in Cleveland 1-18 - Victoria Wysocki, 89, bom in Cleveland 1-22 - Frances Simcich, 92, bom in Cleveland 1-23 - Victoria Steiger, 77, bom in Crestline, Ohio. 1-25 - Jeanette Fistek, 87, bom in Lorain, Ohio 1-25 - Phyllis Lotz, 80, bom in Cleveland 1-26 - Richard Sterle, 79, bom in Cleveland 1-26 - Josephine Zupančič, 89, bom in Slovenia 1-29 - Julia Kobe, 84, bom in Cleveland Rosary Procession The Holy Name Society of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Church will sponsor the 22nd annual Rosary Procession in reparation for the sin of abortion on Saturday, Jan. 17 at Cardinal Mind-szenty Plaza, East 12,h Street and Lakeside Avenue in Cleveland. 1 p.m. Assembly and prayers. 1:15 begin procession to Public Square via Lakeside Avenue to East 9th; recitation of the five Joyful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. 1:30 Recitation of the five Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary. 1:45 p.m. Arrive at Public Square 'With recitation of the five Gloriouisi1 Mysteries of the Holy Rosary followed by closing remarks and prayers. In 1917 the Mother of God said at Fatima, Portugal that “Wars are a punishment from God for sin.” She requested acts of prayers and penance, especially recitation of the Rosary, be made in reparation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, even then so grievously offended by the sins of men. The Celsius temperature scale was named for Anders Celsius, a Swedish astronomer who first described a "centigrade” thermometer in 1742. frank a. ljubi Services for Frank A. Ljubi, 82, of Cleveland were at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7 in St. Vitus Catholic Church, 6019 Lausche Avenue, Cleveland. Mr. Ljubi died Sunday, Jan. 4, 2003 at V.A. Medical Center in Cleveland. Born July 12, 1921, in Cleveland, he was a lifelong resident of Cleveland. He was a member of SNPJ Lodge Spartans #576, Catholic Order of Foresters #1347, St. Vitus Catholic War Veterans #1655, Bonna Vets, St. Clair Pensioners and Holy Name Society of St. Vitus Church. Mr. Ljubi was a Veteran of the U.S. Army receiving a purple heart during World War II. He was also a P-O.W. in Germany during the war. Mr. Ljubi was a machinist for National Acme Co. of Cleveland retiring in 1982 after 40 years of service. Survivors are his wife, Anne M. (Žabkar); son, Gary (Theresa); daughter, Sharon (Dennis A.) Matejka; grandson, Anderson G. Ljubi; granddaughter, Emily A. Matejka; and sister Josephine Foye. His brothers, Anton, Leopold and Edward, are deceased. Friends called from 3 to 9 P-m. Tuesday at Zele Funeral Home, 452 E. 152 St., Cleveland. The Rev. Joseph P- Boznar of St. Vitus Church officiated at services. Hurial in All Souls Cemetery >n Chardon, Ohio. ANTHONY ZUPANČIČ Anthony C. “Shuggie” Zupančič, 91, husband of the late Florence I. (nee Grdina); beloved father of Dale, Antony J., and William (deceased); cherished grandfather of five; and greatgrandfather of one; brother °f Christine Kulwin and the following deceased: Frank, Jim, Ben, Joe and Sr. Mercedes. Private interment All Souls Cemetery. Arrangements by The Han Cosic Funeral Home. MARIJA KALAN GIRARD, OH - Marija Kalan, 86, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003. Marija was born on Feb. 21, 1917 in Skofta Loka, Slovenija and came to the United States in 1949, becoming a citizen in 1956. Mrs. Kalan first made her home in Johnstown, then moved to Girard, OH in 1956. She was a member of St. Rose Church and was a dedicated mother and grandmother. Her husband died on Nov. 20, 1988. She is survived by two daughters, Marie (Thomas) Diamond of Herndon, VA, and Sylvia Bagnola with whom she made her home; two sons Peter (Susan), and Thomas (Betty) Kalan, both of Girard. She was preceded in death by a sister Tonika Logonder, and brother Franc Snajder. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. at St. Rose Church, Girard. The block of granite which was an obstacle in the path of the weak, becomes a step-pingstone in the path of the strong. -Rev. John Kumse A thing of beauty is a joy forever; Its loveliness increases; it ( will never Pass into nothingness. —John Keats In Memory OF THE DEATH OF Joseph Grdina who died on January 12, 1974 Missed by: Sister: Antonia Mazi and Brother: Ivan Sons: Joseph and Anthony Daughters-in-Law: Mary and Betty Grandchildren - and Great-Grandchildren Zele Funeral Home MEMORIAL CHAPEL Located at 452 E. 152 St. Ph: (216) 481-3118 Family owned and operated since 1908 JULIA GIAMBETRO Julia Giambetro (nee Mihelčič), age 90. Beloved wife of Albert (deceased); beloved mother of Albert Jr. (Buddy) (Kathy, deceased), Arlene Hrisko (Paul) and Richard (Marilyn); dear sister of the following, all deceased: John Mihelčič, Anton Mihelčič, Maeme Mihelič (nee Mihelčič) and Frances MacerOl (nee Mihelčič); dear grandmother of Paul Hrisko, Peter Hrisko, Preston Hrisko, Brian Giambetro and Richard Giambetro; dear aunt to many. Family received friends Wednesday 4-8 p.m. at the Zak Funeral Home, 6016 St. Clair Ave. Funeral Thursday, Jan. 8 at 9:30 a.m. chapel service followed by 10 a.m. Mass in St. Vitus Church. Interment Calvary Cemetery. Family requests donations to St. Vitus Church, 6019 Lausche Ave., Cleveland, OH 44103. ALICE M. JANEZIC Alice M. Janezic, age 78, loving sister of Frances (husband Monty) Herczak, Frank, Dorothy Rodic, James, Margaret (husband Gordon) Fawcett, Robert, and the following deceased: Anne Markus and Rose Lakutis; aunt and great-aunt of many. Friends received at the Zele Funeral Home, 452 E. 152 St., Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., where services were held Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and at Holy Cross Church at 10 a.m. Interment Calvary Cemetery. In Loving Memory Of Our Dear Emma Emma Cesen Entered into rest January 14,1994 Dear Emma, since you’ve gone away, the ones you loved so true try hard to carry on the way we know you’d want us to. Dear Emma, we miss you very much. Loving Husband - Frank Daughters: Patricia Wilks Francine Žabkar Son-in-law: Brian Grandchildren, and Great-grandchildren Large Donation Thanks to John F. Dejak of Gates Mills, OH for the wonderful donation of $100.00. Large Donation Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Kogovšek of Willoughby Hills, OH who renewed their subscription and added a magnificent $235.00 donation. Donations Thanks to the following for their generous donations to the Ameriška Domovina: Rose Grabar, Holley, NY -$10.00 Borut Svetlic, Baltimore, MD -$15.00 Frank Skoda, Cleveland, OH -$15.00 Nace Omahen, Euclid, OH -$15.00 John Berkopec, Euclid, OH - $5.00 Donation Thanks to AMLA Lodge #9 for their donation of $45.00. Donation Thanks to Tillie Špehar of Richmond Heights, OH who renewed her subscription and added a $25.00 donation. Donation Thanks to Joseph Kastelic, M.D., of Akron, OH who renewed his subscription and added a great $50.00 donation. Donation Thanks to Slovenska Pristava for their $60.00 donation. Donation Thanks to Anonymous of Chagrin Falls, OH for the wonderful $100.00 donation! Donation Thanks to Lodge Kraljica Miru #24 for the Christmas donation of $30.00. Elsie Russo, Kirtland, OH -$15.00 Frank and Margaret Dejak, Euclid, OH - $5.00 Maria Lavrisha, Cleveland, OH - $5.00 Elizabeth Mitchell, Eastlake, OH -- $3.00 Milan Zajec, Cleveland, OH ~ $5.00 August Pust, Euclid, OH -$15.00 Miroslav and Cathy Gorjup, Eastlake, OH -$15.00 Raymond and Florence Stopar, Wickliffe, OH — $15.00 J. M. Jamnik-Gornik, Euclid, OH -$15.00 Enika Zulic, Cleveland, OH -$15.00 Pauline Burja, Euclid, OH -$15.00 Louis Drobnič, Willoughby Hills, OH - $10.00 Stan Sajnovic, Orillia, Ont. — $10.00 Anton Veselic, Maple Hts., OH - $10.00 Anna Vidergar, Euclid, OH -$15.00 St. Mary’s Altar Society, Cleveland, OH $10.00. Love never dies as long as there is someone who remembers. IN MEM OR!AM In Loving Memory of our beloved wife, sister, aunt and cousin Kathleen Cesen or. who passed away on January 6, 2003 No pen can write, no tongue can tell our sad and bitter loss, But God alone has helped so much, to bear our heavy cross. Her Loving Family: RICHARD, husband FRANK, brother and wife PAT Nieces, Nephews and Cousins, Brothers-in-law, and sisters-in law. AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 8, 2004 AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA, JANUARY 8, 2004 Cook County (Chicago) Treasurer Maria Pappas (second right), listens to the eloquent invocation of Ur. John P. Vidmar during a reception honoring the many accomplishments of Slovenians in Cook County. Pappas held the event in her downtown office. Dignitaries looking on are (from left) Corinne Leskovar of the Slovenian Cultural Center, Martin Hozjan, President of the Slovenian Cultural Center, Stanley Simrayh of the Slovenian American Radio Club, and Jonita Ruth. Pappas held the event as part of TOPS-Treasurer’s Outreach Program and Services.______________ ' Get the US Out of UN Coming Events Sunday, Feb. 1 St. Mary’s (Collinwood) Slovenian School annual dinner starting at 11 a.m. Tickets call (216) 381-4591. Feb. 6, 7, 8 Slovenian Ski Weekend at Windham Mts. Information call John F. Kamin, (212)691-5553. Friday, Feb. 20 Newburgh Slovenian Home, 3563 E. 80,h St„ Cleveland, OH pork, sauerkraut, potato dumpling dinner. $9 per person. Serving 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Music by W. Tomsic from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, March 5 Newburgh Slovenian Home, 3563 E. 80Ih St., Cleveland, OH Fish Fry, walleye or shrimp, pierogi or Mac & Cheese, $9.00 person. Serving 5 to 7:30 p.m. Music 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. by J. Novak. Good enough’ never is. Annual Pristava Banquet The Slovenska Pristava Board of Trustees is sponsoring their traditional annual banquet Pristavska Noč on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Slovenian National Home on St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, beginning at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:15 promptly. For your dancing pleasure, music will be provided by Ed Mejač band. Tickets available by calling Mary Ann Vogel at (216) 383-9307. All members and friends are invited. Editor, If anyone doubts that U.S. leaders have surrendered American sovereignty and independence to the United Nations, consider this from recent months: Our military is fighting in Iraq to enforce UN sanctions, not to carry out a Congressional declaration of war, as the Constitution stipulates. John Negroponte, U.S. ambassador to the UN, confirmed this in a March 20 letter to the president of the UN Security Council. President Bush has repeatedly said so as well. Or that the UN Human Rights Commission is deciding if the verdict of first-degree murder against Lionel Tate is a violation of his human rights. Or President Bush’s latest grovel-fest before the UN on Sept. 23. An independent, sovereign nation does not seek permission from international organizations or other countries to carry out missions in its own interest. Or that the $87 billion of U.S. tax money which a bi- partisan majority in Congress surrendered for Iraq was promptly handed over to the UN to distribute; the U.S. will have no say over it. Or the November 10 WTO ruling that the President’s steel tariffs are illegal, to which, of course, George Bush acquiesced. Already the UN and its international sisters are dictating U.S. policies that directly or indirectly affect each of us and that are compromising our American way of life, because our leaders have surrendered American sovereignty to it. And more controls are coming, most notably in education through UNESCO and the Earth Charter campaign. The only way to stop this is for Congress to support Ron Paul’s H.R. 1146 to get the U.S. out of the UN and the UN out of the U.S. For more information on how to help make that happen, log onto www.getusout.org. —Joseph M. Ogrinc Bratenahl, OH Never be haughty to the humble; never be humble to the haughty. -John Mercina Tony’s Old World Barber Shop Haircuts *5,00 Thanks for your business and patronage this past year! 664 E. 185 St. at Abby Ave., and Windward Rd. Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. M-F 7:30 - 5:00 p.m. Saturday Cherries and Berries in Winter—Oh My! Plvonka by Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., President, Produce for Better Health Foundation (NAPS)—When the grny skies of winter surround us, what a delightful treat it is to see blueberries, raspberries and cherries I gracing our super-j market produce departments. Thanks I to the perfect growing conditions in ! Chile and.the careful attention of dedicated growers, we reap the benefits of having opposite seasons to Chile. So, when it's cloudy and cold here, it’s sunny and warm there. Blueberries, raspberries and cherries are universally enjoyed for their sweet, juicy flavor, their brilliant color and their amazing versatility. Stir blueberries or raspberries into your oatmeal, savor a bag of cherries for an afternoon snack, and surprise your weekend dinner guests with a fresh fruit tart! From snacking, to casual lunches, to elegant dinner parties, berries and cherries from Chile are at home in America during the long winter months. These fresh fruits deliver taste, nutritional value (they’re good sources of dietary fiber and vitamin C) and quality that’s hard to match. Keep your cherries refrigerated until ready to eat and don't wash your berries until ready to serve. Look for creative ways to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into your diet throughout the day and throughout the year. For example, make Berry and Cherry Mustarda, a sweet, slightly I art, spicy fresh fruit side dish, and serve it alongside grilled or roasted turkey breast or on lean meat sandwiches. Colorful fruits and vegetables not only taste great, they contain hundreds of phytochemicals, natural plant compounds that scientists believe may provide a wide range of potential health benefits in the areas of cancer, anti-aging, heart disease, eyesight, and more. So, as you try to live a healthy lifestyle, exercise and think color. Choose 5 to 9 servings of colorful fruits and Use Berry and Cherry Mustarda as a condiment for roasted meats. vegetables every day from the five color groups—blue/purple, green, white, yellow/orange and red. For more infoi’mation about fresh fruits from Chile, visit www.cffa.org and for more information about 5 A Day The Color Way, visit w'ww.5aday.org and www.aboutproduce.com. Remember, eat your colors every day! Berry and Cherry Mustarda 1 cup red wine vinegar 1 cup hearty, dry red wine, such as Zinfandel, or cranberry juice 1 cup sugar VS teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 tablespoon toasted mustard seeds 2 strips of lemon peel (2 inches by Vi inch) 1 stick of cinnamon 3 pints of mixed Chilean raspberries, blueberries, and cherries Mix all ingredients except fruit in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add berries and cherries. Simmer 30 minutes, cover and refrigerate overnight. Makes about nine 'A cup servings. Nutritional information per serving: calories: 163, total fat: 0.7g, saturated fat: O.lg, % calories from fat: 3.8%, protein: Ig, carbohydrates: 37g, cholesterol: Omg, dietary fiber: 4g, sodium: 4mg. ^ PERKIN’S RESTAURANT 22780 Shore Center Dr. Euclid, Ohio 44123 216-732-8077 Operated by Joe Foster 6396 Mentor Ave Mentor, Oh 24060 Office: 440-951-2123 Fox: 440-255-4290 II tag wwwxMttyone.com "The Lucas Team" Roger Lucas v.m. 440-974-7207 Donna Lucas v.m. 440-974-7217 email: r.lucas@reallyone.com d. lucas@realtyone.com Dr. Zenon A. KIos E. J85"'Area IT 531-7700 — Emergencies -Dental Insurance Accepted Laboratory on Premises - Same Day Denture Repair COMPLETE DENTAL CARE FACILITY 848 E. 185 St. (between Shore Carpet and John’s Fun House) FOR Freedom AND Justice Ameriška Domovina 1 Si 7iTt 11 r? rcy^r^g-!~rž^i^ | g AMERICAN IN SPIRIT FOREIGN IN LANGUAGE ONLY AMERIŠKA DOMOVINA (USPS 024100) Thursday, January 8, 2004 SLOVENIAN MORNING NEWSPAPER - Vesti iz Slovenije - Filozof dr. Tine Hribar izbran za Delovo osebnost leta 2003 Uredniški kolegij časopisa Delo je za Delovo osebnost leta 2003 razglasil filozofa dr. Tineta Hribarja, ki je po mnenju uredništva v svojih razmišljanjih o slovenski prihodnosti in odgovornosti za resnico povedal veliko stvari, ki so preprosto morale biti izrečene. “Predvsem to, da za prihodnost slovenskega naroda ni vseeno, kaj piše na državnih spomenikih tistim žrtvam, ki so jih skrivaj pobili po končani vojni. Da je razlika med usmrtitvijo in ubojem tako pomembna, da tega preprosto ni mogoče spregledati.” Hribar je bil nad nagrado “presenečen”, ker se jo o povojnih dogodkih vedno govorilo “bolj podtalno”, saj gre za globoko slovensko travmo, ki se je v podzavest celotnega naroda vtisnila na ravni nezavednega. Ljudje nismo le skupnost živih, temveč občestvo živih in mrtvih,” je povedal 62 let stari dr. Hribar. Po njegovem mnenju je priznanje velikanski premik v slovenski zavesti, saj gre za nov odnos, ne samo med živimi, temveč tudi do mrtvih.” Priznanje da je, dalje, izraz nove kulturne danosti na Slovenskem. Inflacija 2003 nižja od napovedi Cene življenjskih potrebščin so se decembra povišale za desetinko odstotka, inflacija na letni ravni je bila 4,6 odstotka (v letu 2002 7,2 odstotka, leta 2000 pa še 8,9 odstotka), kar je niže od napovedi (več kot 5 odstotkov), so ugotovili državni statistiki. Prvi novi Slovenec v letu 2004 je postal Šoštapjčan Urban V celjski porodišnici je kot prvi Slovenec v letu 2004 minuto po polniči 1. januarja srečni materi Suzani Kirar, doma iz okolice Šoštanja, prijokal deček Urban. Do jutra so imeli v Celju še tri rojstva. Drugi otrok v novem letu je bila sicer deklica, ki se je rodila pet minut za Urbanom v ljubljanski porodišnici. Nato so si bodoči državljani vzeli malo počitka, potem pa je 16 minut po drugi uri v Brežicah na svet prijokal fantek, četrt ure pred tretjo zjutraj v Mur- ski Soboti deklica, pet minut pred četrto uro v Mariboru fantek, malo pred pol sedmo zjutraj pa so imeli otroka več še v porodišnici v Šempetru pri Gorici, kjer se je rodil deček. Slovenija za ZDA zopet izjema V zadnjem tednu so ZDA uvedle nove postopke za identificiranje tujcev, ki državo obiščejo. Med postopki je tudi jemanje prstnih odtisov. Za državljane nekaterih držav - 27 po številu - pa ti postopki ne bodo obvezni. Predvsem gre tu za evropske države, a ne za npr. Hrvaško ali Srbijo. Izjema pa velja za Slovenijo. Umrl pisatelj Igor Torkar Na novoletni dan je po hujši bolezni v 91. letu starosti umrl pesnik, pisatelj in dramatik Igor Torka, Boris Fakin. Rodil se je 13. oktobra 1913 v Kostanjevici na Krasu. Bil je aktiven v OF, leta 1943 aretiran in interniran v Dachauu. Leta 1949 je bil znova aretiran in na dachauskem procesu obsojen na osem let strogega zapora, leta 1952 pogojno izpuščen, leta 1999 pa je prejel zlati častni znak svobode Republike Slovenije. Od vseh njegovih del, je bil še posebej znan po knjigi Umiranje na obroke, v kateri je opizoval doživetja v zvezi z dachauskimi procesi. Le nekaj tednov pred smrtjo je tedenska revija Slovenia Weekly objavila daljši intervju s Torkarjem. Slovenija letos predseduje SEP-u Slovenija je s 1. januarjem prevzela enoletno predsedovanje Srednjeevropski pobudi (SEP). V tej organizaciji je 18 držav srednje in vzhodne Evrope, od teh jih bo sedem s Slovenijo vred 1. maja vstopilo v Evropsko unijo. Program bo usklajevalo zunanje ministrstvo. Hkrati je Slovenija postala članica trojke (nova predsedujoča Bolgarija, prejšnja Nizozemska in prihodnja Slovenija - leta 2005) Organizacije za sodelovanje in varnosti v Evropi (OVSE). Tečaj tolarja - Dis dolarja se pozna tudi pri tolarju. Včeraj je dolar prinesel 185,85 SIT, pred časom več kot 250. DOBRODELNOST V PREDBOŽIČNEM ČASU - V prostorih Območnega združenja Rde-^ega križa Ljubljana so 22. decembra razdelili 225 daril otrokom iz socialno šibkih družin. Dobrodelno akcjjo so že šesto leto zapored pripravili s pomočjo prostovoljcev in Prostovoljk Gimnazije Bežigrad, ki so prispevali 120 daril za otroke do enajstega leta starosti. Podobne dobrodelne akcije so bile v več krajih po Sloveniji. Iz Clevelanda “Pristavska noč”— Odbor Slsovenske pristave prireja tradicionalno večajo “Pristavsko noč” v soboto, 24. januarja, v SND na St. Clairju. Vrata bodo odprta od 6h zv. dalje, večerjo bodo servirali točno ob 7.15. Za ples bo igral ansambel Edija Mejača. Za nakaznice, pokličite Maryann Vogel na 216-383-9307. Vsi člani in prijatelji Pristave lepo vabljeni! Krofi in rezanci— Oltarno društvo fare sv. Vida ima to soboto dopoldne prodajo krofov in rezancev, to v društveni sobi. Pridite! Upokojenci St. Clair— Klub upokojencev za St. Clairsko okrožje ima sejo v četrtek, 15. januarja, pop. ob 1 uri, v Kenikovi sobi SND. Članstvo lepo vabljeno k udeležbi. Novi grobovi Frank A. Ljubi Umrl je 82 let stari Frank A. Ljubi, mož Anne, roj. Žabkar, oče Garyja in Sharon Matejka, 2-krat stari oče, brat Josephine Foye ter že pok. Antona, Leopolda in Edwarda, veteran 2. svetovne vojne, v kateri je služil v ameriški vojski ter bil ranjen. Pogreb je bil 7. januarja v oskrbi Želetove-ga zavoda s sv. mašo v cerkvi sv. Vida in pokopom na Vernih duš pokopališču. Matilda Marzlikar Umrla je 90 let stara Matilda Marzlikar, rojena Vidrick, vdova po Josephu, mati Helene Menard, 2-krat stara mati, sestra Frances Vidrick in Louisa (oba že pok.) ter polsestra že pok. Johna Urbanica. Pogreb je bil 6. januarja v oskrbi Že-letovega zavoda s sv. mašo v cerkvi sv. Pavla na Char-don Rd. s pokopom na pokopališču Western Reserve Memorial Gardens. Anthony C. Zupančič Umrl je 91 let stari Anthony C. Zupančič, vdovec po Florence, roj. Grdina, oče Dale-a, Anthonyja in že pok. Williama, 5-krat stari oče, 1-krat prastari oče, brat Christine Kulwin ter že pok. Franka, Jamesa, Benjamina, Josepha in s. Mercedes. Privaten pogreb s pokopom na Vernih duš pokopališču je bil v oskrbi Cosicevega zavoda. (dalje na str. 16) in okolice Vabilo MZA— Misijonska Znamkarska Akcija vabi to nedeljo, da se udeležite molitve in blagoslova v cerkvi sv. Marije Vnebovzete ob 2h pop., nato pa v šolski dvorani misijonskega srečanja, na katerem bo predvajana videokaseta o delu misijonarja Pedra Opeka. Vsi prijatelji misijonov res lepo vabljeni! Zajtrk s palačinkami— Ta bo to nedeljo, 11. januarja, v šolski dvorani pri Mariji Vnebovzeti. Serviranje (jajca, klobasice, palačinke, kava, sok) bo od 8.30 do 12. opoldan. Cena letos (zajtrki so mesečni) je $7 za odraslo osebo, $4 pa za otroka. Odbornice za leto 2004— Članice Oltarnega društva fare sv. Vida so izvolile sledeči odbor za 2004: ga. Ivanka Matič, predsednica; ga. Gabriela Kuhel, podpredsednica in zapisnikarica; ga. Julka Smole, tajnica; ga. Marija Leben, blagajničarka; ga. Ivanka Pretnar in ga. Anna Arhar, nadzornici. Darovi ob božičnem času— Klub upokojencev Slovenske pristave je poslal dar $100 v priznanje našemu listu. Folklorna skupina Kres je darovala $50. Klub graduantov nekdanje sveto-vidske farne šole je poslal $25. Isto vsoto nam je poslala ob poravnavi naročnine tudi ga. Ella Samanich iz Clevelanda. Ponavljamo, da so vsi darovi objavljeni v angleškem delu. Vsem zgoraj omenjenim in tudi vsem ostalim darovalcem pa gre naša iskrena zahvala za podporo. Narodni domovi— V naslednjih tednih boste začeli brati o letnih sejah oz. občnih zborih naših narodnih domov. Te ustanove še vedno igrajo kar pomembno vlogo v naši skupnosti ter tako zaslužijo našo nadaljnjo podporo. Imenik društev— Naša pisarna ponovno poziva tako na poravnavo računa za vključitev društev in ustanov v tem imeniku, zelo pa prosi tudi, da ob tej poravnavi posredujete morebitne spremembe v samem imeniku, saj skoro vsako društvo ima vsaj enega novega odbornika/odbornico, ko so volitve za le-te vsako leto. PAVLE BORŠTNIK Ohranjamo svojo dediščino Slovenska “povojna” skupnost v našem mestu (Cleveland) je pričela odmirati. Ljudje se poslavljajo drug za drugim in za vsakim ostane praznina, ki je ni več mogoče izpolniti. Ne gre pa samo za življenja, gre tudi za pričevanja o teh življenjih, za znamenja njihove dejavnosti, ustvarjalnosti, uspehov in porazov. Po slovenskih domovih so se pričeli nabirati nekdaj pomembni dokumenti, pisma, knjige, ki jih nihče več ne prebira in še marsikaj drugega, kar se na prvi pogled zdi nepomembno, komaj vredno našega zanimanja. Toda, dejstvo ostaja, da smo v tem mestu, kot nekakšna prostovoljna skupnosti, živeli in si prizadevali na bolje, polnih pet desetletij, in da smo v tem času zgradili določeno “dediščino", ki je vredna ohranitve in dokumentacije. S tem v mislih, je treba še toliko bolj pozdraviti prizadevanje dr. Metke Gorenškove, hčerke našega pevca Francka Gorenška. Poleg nedavno izišle CD plošče v počastitev svojega pokojnega očeta, je zdaj poskrbela za še tri plošče s celo vrsto pesmi, ki jih je pevski zbor Korotan v šestnajstih letih pod vodstvom Franka Gorenška zapel na svojih koncertih. Korotanovega poslanstva menda ni treba ne razlagati ne ocenjevati. Brez oklevanja lahko zapišemo, da bi slovenska povojna skupnost v Clevelandu brez njega danes nosila povsem drugačen obraz, če bi sploh še živela. V Korotanovem krogu, na vajah in koncertih, se je ta skupnost v resnici dograjevala in krepila, vse to pa poleg resničnih umetniških dosežkov pod vodstvom Metoda Milača, Franca Gorenška in drugih. V Franckovem času, v letih od 1967 do 1983, je Korotan nastopal tudi zunaj clevelandske skupnosti in zapel svojo pesem celo slovenski Koroški in Primorski. Vse štiri plošče, o katerih zdaj govorimo, zato predstavljajo veliko več kot “seznam” na Korotanovih koncertih zapetih pesmi; predstavljajo namreč del “naše” zgodovine, torej del nas samih, dragocen dokument o dogajanju v naši skupnosti, dokument, katerega pojav in obstoj bi moral vzpodbuditi tudi druge slovenske organizacije v mestu, da bi poskrbele za ohranitev dokazilnega gradiva o svoji dejavnosti, kakršnakoli je pač bila. Slovenska navzočnost v Ameriki se bliža svojemu zatonu. Po polnem stoletju porajanja in življenja, se zdaj umika v zgodovino; na nas samih, ki smo del te skupnosti, pa je, da bo za nami ostala pravična, dostojna in globoka sled, ki bo dokazovala ne le življenjsko silo od domačih tal odrezanega slovenskega človeka, temveč tudi zdravje in moč korenin, iz katerih jž^ta skupnost izšla. r/9- n/ f Na teh “Gorenškovih” ploščah je zdaj ohranjena cela vrst dragocenih trenutkov iz življenja naše skupnosti. Poskrbimo, da bo nekoč zablestel celoten mozaik našega življenja v svobodni Ameriki! Beograjski nadškof Hočevar pri predsedniku Drnovšku Ljubljana - Predsednik države Janez Drnovšek je 4. decembra sprejel beograjskega nadškofa Stanislava Hočevarja. Ta je predsedniku predstavil položaj Katoliške cerkve v Srbiji. Sodelovanje med cerkvama, ki delujejo na območju državne skupnosti Srbija in Črna gora (SČG), ter spodbujanje dialoga in sodelovanja med pripadniki cerkva sta načina, ki bi lahko pomembno prispevala k reševanju problemov na območju Jugovzhodne Evrope. Kot je dodal nadškof Hočevar, Slovenija ima in bo imela zelo pozitivno vlogo na tem območju. Ob koncu pogovora je izpostavil potrebo po intenzivnejšem sodelovanju s slovenskimi društvi, ki nastajajo na območju SČG. Drnovšek pa je dejal, da ceni aktivnost slovenskih društev v SČG pa tudi prizadevanja Katoliške cerkve za spodbujanje dialoga s preostalimi cerkvami. STA Tine Debeljak Debeljakov Črni Kamnitnik Stoto obletnico rojstva dr. Tineta Debeljaka so v Škofji Loki počastili z izdajo bogato opremljenega dokumentarnega zbornika Škofja Loka - Družina, d. o. o., je skupaj z Muzejskim društvom Škofja Loka v zbirki Loški razgledi pripravila tehtno izdajo jubilejnega zbornika Črni Kamnitnik, z katerim so se spomnili stote obletnice rojstva škofjeloškega rojaka, pesnika, pisatelja, prevajalca, medvojnega urednika kulturne redakcije Slovenca, organizatorja slovenskega kulturnega življenja v Argentini dr. Tineta Debeljaka. Knjigo je uredil in oblikoval ter s fotografijami opremil Marko Vom-, bergar, spremno besedilo pa napisal dr. Denis Poniž. Dr. Tine Debeljak po odhodu iz dmovine nikoli več ni uzrl ljube Ljubljane in rojstne ŠkoQe Loke. Zaukazana molk in pozaba pa se vendarle nista “prijela”, prav tako kot ne oznaka “narodnega izdajalca”, še leta 1985 opredeljenega kot “naje-stremnega emigranta". Škofja Loka se je žlahtnega rojaka spomnila posthumno s simpozijem (1991) in spominsko ploščo na njegovi rojstni hiši (19d5), letos še s kipom v aleji zaslužnih Ločanov, na kamnu iz njegovega Kamnitnega. Tako so, kot ugotavlja Alojzij Pavel Florjančič, predsednik Muzejskega društva Škofja Loka, v uvodni besedi, spet sku- paj trije sosedi, znameniti “podnunci”, mladostni prijatelji, člani “profesorskega ceha”, snovalci znamenite obrtne razstave v Škofji Loki leta 1936, u-stanovitelji Muzejskega društva ŠkoQa Loka leta 1937 in Loškega muzeja 1939: dr. Pavle Blatnik, dr. Tine Debeljak in prof. France Planina. Črni Kamnitnik je skupni naslov, pod katerim je pisateljev vnuk Marko Vombergar zbral dedove pesmi, črtice in pisma domačim, ki so nastali v času med letoma 1950 in 1954, kot ugotavlja dr. Poniž, “nemara najbolj prelomnem v vsem Debe-Ijakovem argentinskem eksilu”. Debeljak je tedaj sprejel službo v od prestolnice 300 km oddaljenem mestu Olavarria, v cementni tovarni Loma Ne-gra. Črni Kamnitnik. Od tod so romala pisma svojim, tedaj še v Ljubljani, dokler se niso spet združili v Buenos Airesu. Tu je začela nastajati Debe-Ijakova nova knjižnica, medtem ko so jo v Ljubljani kot “izdajalcu” s tremi kamioni zaplenili in odpeljali. V Črnem Ka-mnitniku dominirata nostalgija in upanje. Poniž zavrača znamenito trojno delitev literature na matično, zamejsko in zdomsko kot nesmi-selo, saj zanjo ni nobe- Pesmi ,.. in Melodije iz Naše Lepe Slovenije Radijska Družina Cleveland ED MEIAC Vodja Radijske Dnižine WCSB 89.3 TM Nedelja 9-10 am Sreda 6-7 pm 2405 Somrack Drive Willoughby Hills, OH 440t>4 440-953-1709 tf.l/fm web: www.wcsb.org nega, zlasti ne strokovne-ge razloga. “Vsi pesniki in pisatelji, ki pišejo v slovenskem jeziku, morajo in morejo nastopati e-nakovredno v skupnem poetičnem prostoru.” Še posebej absurdna je taka delitev pri pesnikih ali pisateljih, ki so del svojega opusa ustvarili v matici, potem pa v novi domovini. Tine Debeljak je bil o-sebnost, brez katere si ni bilo mogoče predstavljati ne predvojnega literarnega, revijalnega in uredniškega življenja (trideseta leta pa vse do maja 1945), še manj pa povojnega časa, najprej v begunskih taboriščih, v Rimu in končno v Argentini, kjer je leta 1989 umrl. Zanimiva je Poniževa misel, da je Debeljak v Argentini doživel renesanso svojega intelektualnega dela, po drugi strani pa so se poglobile temeljne vrednote, značilne za zdomstvo: zaveza svobodi, veri, literaturi in družini. Kulturni genocid, ki se je dogajal ustvarjalcem v Argentini, posledično pa željnim (in nepotešenim) bralcem v domovini, se zdi zdaj odpravljen, vendar škoda ni popravljena - ne nazadnje tudi zato, ker kdor ni imel poguma nekoč, ga nima niti danes! Marijan Zlobec DELO, 20. dec. 2003 ^ (U UT Listen to THE SLOVENIAN HOUR On 50,000 Watt WCPN Cleveland Public Radio Tony Ovsenik i® 440-944-2538 Joseph L. FORTUNA Moderni pogrebni zavod. Ambulanta na razpolago podnevi in ponoči. CENE NIZKE PO VAŠI ŽELJI! •/ PAVLE BORŠTNIK Komentar Stara vprašanja v Novem letu 2004 (NADALJEVANJE IN KONEC) Večina domobrancev je bila pomorjena v teku enega meseca na različnih lokacijah v Sloveniji, obenem s tisoči Hrvatov in Srbov, za katere se še ne ve, ali so bili tudi zgolj civilisti in ne vojaki. Vendar je do tu vse jasno: ti ljudje, civilisti ali vojaki, so se poleti leta 1945 srečali s smrtjo. Z nasilno smrtjo. Nasilno smrt pa največkrat zakrivi nek drug nasilen človek, lahko je to celo en in isti človek, kadar gre za samomor. Če pa gre za masovno nasilno smrt, potem je skoraj gotovo tudi, da jo je zakrivila ucka masovna nasilna skupnost. Če bi šlo za vojake, bi lahko rekli, da so jih pobili drugi vojaki. Ker pa gre za civiliste, zdaj ui jasno, kdo jih je pobil? Vojaki? Kateri? Zakaj pa naj bi neka organizirana in priznana vojska pobijala - civiliste? Posebej še, če gre za na-ge. razorožene, zvezane civiliste? Človeku z normalno umsko kapaciteto mora Pri tem zbrsteti misel, da gre za zločin, za masovni zločin, ki ga je zagrešilo neko vojaštvo nad civilisti. Ali pa je tiste civiliste Pobila neka zločinska banda drugih civilistov, navadnih kriminalcev, ker zakoni vseh držav sveta že vsaj sto let govorijo, da se človeka ne sme ubiti brez predpisanega sodnega procesa. Tega pa v našem primeru gotovo ni bm. Parlament pa se na Pragu vstopa v Evropsko nnijo zaveda, da mora ta nadležni problem odpra-'dti in je odločil, da so bili ljudje, ki počivajo v doslej “zamolčanih” ali neznanih grobovih - “žrtve povojnih usmrtitev”. Pojem usmrtitev se pojavlja v kazenskem pra-^ in pomeni, da je bilo t° dejanje - usmrtitev - .^rijatel’s Pharmacy ,1tCl«ir&B.,68St ■ 361-4212 'ZIMJAMO TUBI ZDRAVILA ZA RAČUN POMOČI * t^AVE OHIO - AID FOR AGED.PRESCIPTIONS izvršeno kot oblika kazni. Kazen pa je posledica greha ali - zločina, ki ga je zagrešil kaznova-nec, v našem primeru usmrčenec. S tem naj bi bil njegov primer zaključen, ker je bilo pravici zadoščeno, ali, kot pravi latinska, rimska definicija tega dejanja: justifikacija (iustitiam facere) oz. “napraviti pravico", poravnati krivico. Vse skupaj torej nakazuje nek pravni proces, katerega zaključek je - justifikacija, usmrtitev. Menda ni potrebna akademska izobrazba, da se človek dokoplje do absurda, kamor so slovenski parlament in z njim slovensko državo pahnili gorečneži, ki histerično branijo in ščitijo “dosežke revolucije”. Da je škandal še popolnejši, sramota še globlja, istočasno na vso ihto trdijo, da ni bilo na Slovenskem nobene revolucije. Tako imamo zdaj deset tisoč mrtvih, ki so bili usmrčeni, pa nikogar, ki bi te usmrtitve ukazal. Če bi vsaj vedeli, da je bila takrat pač revolucija, potem bi se temu gotovo zadovoljila večina, ker pa revolucije ni bilo, ostaja slovenska družba, slovenska država in njen pravni sistem v: 'pbsmeh vsemu svetu. In kako gledajo na ta razvoj slovenski ljudje sami, še posebej - intelektualci? Kako si razlagajo ta cerkniški pojavj med katerim se revolucija prikaže prav v tenu-tku, ko je potrebna, da ji potem postavijo spomenik sredi Ljubljane in po njej poimenujejo osredni trg pred - parlamentom. Ko pa revolucija ni več potrebna, ali je celo v napoto, pa lepo ubogljivo ponikne, in - domovina je rešena. Tragično sprenevedanje! Deset tisoč ljudi je bilo ubitih! Vzeli so jim življenje! Zagrebli so jih z dinamitom kot stekle pse na gmajni - in potem so jim odvzeli še zadnjo pravico, da bi svet - po 60 letih - izvedal vsaj resnico, zakaj in kdo jih Foto Aleš Černivec Zvon sprave ob več kot 150 metrov globokem breznu Prvi “Zvon sprave” postavljen Pretekli teden je bila bila objavljena maketa tkim. “Zvona sprave”. Postavljali jih bodo v prihajajočem času pri doslej “prikritih grobiščih” po vsej Sloveniji. Postavitev prve je bila ob breznu Zalesnik pri Trnovem nad Novo Gorico (foto zgoraj). Ob več kot 150 metrov globokem breznu, v katerem so jamarji leta 1990 našli več človeških kostij, so pač odkrili prototip spominskega znamenja, kovinski zvon z napisom Žrtvam vojne in povojnih usmrtitev. Podobne zvonove bodo v prihodnje postavili tudi pri več drugih zamolčanih grobiščih po Sloveniji. Teh naj bi bilo okrog dvesto, projekt postavljanja spominskih znamenj pa bo trajal celo desetletje. V naslednjem letu nameravalo oz^čiti naslednjih deset grobišč. Predsednik vladne komisije za reševanje vprašanj prikritih grobišč Peter Kovačič-Peršin je dejal, da naj bi bil projekt ugotavljanja JinM evidentiranja vseh grobišč v Sloveniji končan že prihodnje leto. ! sVI je ukazal usmrtiti! Tako ne bo slovenski narod prišel nikamor. Dokler bo čast neke politične tvorbe več vredna kot deset tisoč slovenskih življenj, dokler ne bo jasno potrjeno, da so ti ljudje žrtve revolucije, ki je zajela slovenski svet med drugo svetovno vojno, toliko časa bo na slovenskem narodnem telesu zijala odprta, boleča in sramotna rana - in toliko časa med Slovenci ne bo miru. Protikomunistični tabor ni nikdar tajil, da se je v obupu in strahu pred brezobzirnim nasiljem komunistične revolucije, zatekel po pomoč k tradicionalnim narodnim sovražnikom in v tem je pravo merilo njegovega obupa! Ko pa bo enako odkritosrčno tudi današnja kontinuiteta komunistične revolucije v Sloveniji priznala, da je ta revolucija morila predvsem v smislu nauka, ki ga je izžarevalo “sonce človeštva”, se bodo našemu narodu odprla vrata v svetlejšo prihodnost. Ta je namreč mogoča le. če bo vsa tragika preteklosti do kraja razišče-na, priznana in pokopana. Tako ostaja problem nerešen, brez ozira na zakon, s katerim ga rešujejo ljudje, katerih predhodniki so ga sploh ustvarili s svojim nečloveškim divjanjem. Vpraša- - Vfc V i',. nje je, kaj zdaj? Kdo bo tistim civilistom vrnil vsaj tisto zadnje človeško dostojanstvo, ki jim ga ie parlament tako brezbrižno odrekel? “Žrtev ideološkega čiščenja namreč ni možno spodobno pokopati, ne da bi hkrati izrecno priznali, da je šlo za zločin nad njimi.” (Tine Hribar v istem članku) Leto 2004 je v Sloveniji volilno leto, izvoljeni bodo najprej slovenski predstavniki v Evropskem parlamentu, potem tudi v slovenski parlament. S tem pa je že nakazana tudi pot, po kateri bi se dalo slovenskega narodnega obličja (dalje na str. 12) Posodabljanje Slovenske vojske... Oklepniki in oprema za “bojevnike” Ljubljana - Slovenska vojska bo morala kmalu izpolniti svojo prvo pravo obveznost do zveze NATO. V njeno enoto za hitro posredovanje bo namreč napotila vod za dekontaminacijo iz kranjskega 18. RKB bataljona. Zato bo obrambno ministrstvo v letošnjem letu kupilo sodobno opremo, s katero bo ta vod opremljen, počasi pa bodo na noge postavili celoten 18. RKB bataljon. Letos bodo verjetno kupovali tudi večje količine zaščitnih jopičev za vojake in druge sodobrte opreme iz projekta bojevnik 21. sto- Stara vprašanja v Novem letu 2004 (nadaljevalce s str. 11) zbrisati sramotni madež, ki mu ga je prislužil tedanji parlament z odločitvijo o vojnih grobiščih. Zakone je lahko izsiliti, zakoni so lahko podak-njeni, zakoni pa so lahko tudi spremenjeni in zato ni potrebna še ena lažna ali resnična revolucija. Predvsem mora Slovenija dobiti parlament preudarnih ljudi, ki se ne bodo tresli pred ideološkimi ukazovale!. Ducat let po osamosvojitvi bi morala zrasti generacija, ki bo enkrat za vselej ovrgla laž o narodno osvobodilni vojni, pa o tistih usmrtitvah, ki so to vojno zaključile na lastno pest v Kočevskem rogu in drugod. V teh letih je izšlo dovolj pričevanj, razgaljenih je bilo dovolj dokumentov, ki potrjujejo, da je Slovenija še vedno v pesteh neke ideologije, ki je zagledana sama vase in vsiljuje svoja edino zveličavna mnenja ostali družbi. Kljub temu: če se ozremo nazaj v daljne leto 1989 in primerjamo tedanjih položaj z današnjim, lahko vendarle izmerimo določen napredek resnice in to nas navdaja z upanjem, da bo nekoč le prevladala in da se bo slovenski rod slednjič le podal na pot v lepšo prihodnost. Perry, Ohio letja, saj naj z njimi po novem ne bi bile opremljene zgolj sile za posredovanje, temveč kar celotna Slovenska vojska. Kupili bodo oklepna vozila z opremo, osebno opremo za bojevnika 21. stoletja in RKB opremo. Čeprav ne gre za kakšno posebej tajne vojaške projekte, vodja logistike Zvonko Kremljak ni hotel povedati nič več, češ da so podatki zaupni. Zaradi tega smo bili prisiljeni zbrati podatke po neuradni poti. Ob napovedi dogajanja je zagotovo najprej treba omeniti dva nova helikopterja cougar (puma) AS 532 AL, ki bosta v Slovenijo priletela letos in se tako pridružila pumama, ki sta tu že od lanskega leta. S štirimi transportnimi helikopterji, ki lahko pripeljejo vsak po 4500 kilogramov visečega tovora ali 24 vojakov, bo za nekaj časa zaokrožena helikopterska transportna eskadrilja Slovenske vojske. Štirje helikopterji so državo stali približno 54 milijonov evrov oziroma ok. 43 milijonov $U.S. Tudi Slovenija bo prispevala svoj delež v enoto za hitro posredovanje, ki jo na željo ZDA pospešeno oblikuje zavezništvo NATA. Za zdaj bo slovenski prispevek skromen - v obliki voda za dekontaminacijo iz 18. RKB bataljona iz Kranja. V tem letu bodo za ta vod nabavili novo opremo, saj je sedanja zastarela, večinoma podedovana od JLA. Najnujnejši je nakup dekontaminacij-skih avtocistern. Do leta 2008 naj bi posodobili še opremo celotnega 18. RKB bataljona, predvsem pa bodo morali kupiti o-klepna izvidniška RKB vozila. Zelo verjetno je namreč, da bo Slovenija v operacijah zveze NATO sodelovala z RKB bataljonom, saj ima zavezništvo bojnih enot že danes dovolj. Do konca leta bo Slovenska vojska prejela vsaj še 24 novih oklepnih vozil valuk, ki jih izdelujejo na Ravnah na Koroškem. Vsi oklepniki bodo odšli v 20. motorizirani bataljon v Celje, tam pa jih bo do junija 2005 parkiranih predvidenih 36. Letos naj bi vojska začela tudi testiranje večjega valuka 8x8 (sedanji so 6x6), katerega proizvodnjo bodo verjetno zagnali na Ravnah. Valuk tako postaja glavno oklepno vozilo Slovenske vojske, še zlasti, ker vse kaže, da tankovske enote (v dveh bataljonih je zdaj 108 tankov) v načrtih ne igrajo pomembne vloge. Obstaja celo verjetnost, da bo vojska leta 2015, ko se bo današnjim tankom iztekla življenjska doba, tankovske enote odpravila. Tako se bodo verjetno kmalu združila oba tankovska bataljona iz Pivke in Maribora, v štajerski prestolnici pa naj bi začeli ustanavljati 30. motorizirani bataljon, ki bo trojček že obstoječih 10. in 20. motoriziranega bataljona. S tremi aktivnimi bataljoni motorizirane pehote bo Slovenija izpolnila pogoj, da lahko v tujino pošlje enega izmed njih. Potrebne so namreč tri enake enote, tako da je ena izmed njih lahko na misiji v tujini, medtem ko druga po prihodu v domovino počiva, tretja pa se usposablja za odhod. Novost je tudi odločitev, da bodo sodobno o-premo iz projekta “Bojevnik 21. stoletja” dobili tudi rezervisti in ne le tisti, ki so v “elitnih” e-notah za posredovanje. Takšna sprememba narekuje, da bodo letos kupili nekaj več opreme te vrste, kot je bilo predvideno. Sem sodijo predvsem zaščitni jopiči in kvalitetne čelade, nočnogledi ter osebni navigacijski sistemi. Podatek, da bodo takšno opremo razdelili tudi rezervistom prostovoljcem, kaže na to, da vojska resno pričakuje njihovo udeležbo ob morebitnih operacijah v tujini. R. P. Delo fax, 3. Jan. 2004 MALI OGLASI HOUSE FOR SALE 4 Bdrm Single Home E. 55th & St. Clair Ave. $35,000 / obo (216) 391-1515 - Bill Leave a Message (2-5) Slovenski cvet Harvarda Ljubljana - Po pravilih harvardskih klubov po svetu so njihovi člani tudi starši diplomirancev, doktorandov, magistrirancev in predavateljev na Harvardu. Torej sta po zaslugi hčerke Ane člana Harvardskega kluba Slovenije tudi Milan in Štefka Kučan. Najbolj znana kluba sta v New Yorku in Bostonu, najbolj zaželeno je članstvo v londonskem. Privilegij članov je absolutna medsebojna pomoč po svetu (kar pomeni dostop do vrhunske politike in posla) ter neomejen vstop do najbogatejšega informacijskega centra. Harvardske knjižnice, ki je druga največja na svetu (najbolje založena je knjižnica ameriškega kongresa). Slovenski Harvardovci: zgornja vrsta: Andrej Bertoncelj, dr. Davorin Gazvoda, Peter Bassin, Vladimir Braco Mušič, spodaj: Jože Štrus, Matej Accetto, dr. Andrej Smrekar, dr. Ana Kučan (sicer arhitektka po poklicu), Mateja Vraničar, ameriški veleposlanik v Sloveniji Johnny Young, Nataša Pipan Nahtigal, Urška Velikonja, Andrej Benedejčič in dr. Matjaž Nahtigal. Podpirajte naše oglaševalce - Tudi ti pomagajo našemu listu, da lahko še izhaja redno, ko jih je toliko že ugasnilo! It took John and Mary 6 months to build their home, 5 years to establish their business, and a lifetime to raise their family. How much time didit take them to plan their estate? KSKJ's Single Premium Whole Life Certificate structures an estate plan in very little time. With only one premium payment you can: • Provide tax-free income for loved ones • Avoid costly and time-consuming probate • Cover final expenses • Create an education fund for loved ones • Structure retirement income • Increase your assets Find out how easy it is to deal with issues that matter. American Slovenian Catholic Union, KSKJ 2439 Glenwood Avenue | Joliet, II 60435 Toll Free: 800.843.5755 | Web: www.kskjlife.com Life insurance is not for those who die. It's for those who live. SPOMINSKA LITERATURA - PRISPEVEK IZ ARGENTINE LUDVIK HREN, 86-letnik, in njegovi domobranski spomini Današnji jubilant je poznan, zlasti ga poznajo iz naše (argentinske) skupnosti starejši: eni kot prvega predsednika sanhuškega Našega doma, drugi še kot bivšega vaškega stražarja, ki se je rešil iz Turjaka, ali tretji, ki so slišali o njem, ker je od redkih vrnjenih domobrancev imel srečo, da je prišel živ iz teharskega taborišča. Ko se je letos bližal visokemu življenjskemu jubileju sem ga podpisani (tj. Stanc Snoj) oh\-skal, da mi pove kaj iz svojih doživetij, ki mu jih niti dolga doba šestdesetih let, ki je od tedaj potekla, ni mogla izbrisati spomina. Pa naj svojo zgodbo kar sam pripoveduje: Rodil sem se 6. avgusta 1917 v vasi Cesta, pozneje imenovana Podgorica. V ljudsko šolo sem hodil na Vidmu v občini Dobrepolje Kot o^lad fant sem delal do-ma na kmečkem posestvu. Pozneje sem šel v gimnazijo k salezijancem v Ver-žej. kjer sem pa ostal samo eno leto. Predno so Nemci zasedli Štajersko in Gorenjsko, sem se Jim umaknil in vrnil domov na Dolenjsko, ki j° je zasedel italijanski okupator. Name, kot mladega fanta. je imel velik vpliv takratni kaplan v Dobrepo-tjah Franc Nahtigal. Ta duhovnik, ki so ga komunisti kasneje umorili, je bil svetniška duša in Je živel z dušo in telesom za apostolat. Bil je velik organizator v dobrepoljski fari, kjer je vzgajal mla-dino za življenje po krščanskih načelih in nas Poučeval o brezbožnem komunizmu in nam od-Ptral oči glede njegovih lažnih obljub. Kljub njegovim svarilom so se nekateri fantje kasneje dali zapeljati, da so šli v partizane. Še istega dne, ko sem se vrnil “od vojakov" iz Beograda, kjer sem služil dve leti voja-ški rok, je prišel k nam kaplan Nahtigal in dosegel, da sem se udeležil tečaja , za Fantovske odse-ke v Ljubljani. Na njem so govorili znani kot Jo-ze Basaj, Jože Godina, Anton Orehar, Rudolf Smersu in drugi, Kasneje sem hodil še enkrat na Podoben tečaj. Tik pred Hitlerjevim napadom na Jugoslavijo sem bil odpoklican na orožne vaje v Osijek in tam doživel nemški napad in konec kraljeve Jugoslavije. Zato sem se po dobrem tednu že vračal domov, do Zagreba z vlakom, od tam do doma pa peš. Prve tedne po italijanski okupaciji dobrepoljske doline, ko sta bili Hitlerjeva Nemčija in Stalinova Sovjetska zveza še zaveznici, so komunisti iz Bruhanje vasi izobesili na cerkvenem zvoniku na Vidmu zastavo s kljukastim križem, da so pokazali, kateri od okupatorjev jim je bolj pri srcu! Župnik Anton Mrkun je naprosil Albina Tiselja in mene, da sva šla snet hitlerjansko zastavo z zvonika. V začetku maja 1942 so se okrog Dobrepolja pojavili prvi partizani. S tako imenovanimi diverzantskimi akcijami so začeli izzivati italijanskega okupatorja, ki je izzivanje maščeval tako, da je s topovi streljal po vaseh. Partizani so tudi izropali kmetijsko zadrugo na Vidmu, kjer je bila velika zaloga hrane za vso dolino, od kmetov zahtevali “prostovoljno" oddajo hrane, plenili tovorne avtomobile, vozove in konje, da naropani material vozili v svoja skladišča. Ta način komunističnega “osvobajanja” je izzval med ljudmi odpor, ki je rdeče "osvoboditelje" prisilil, da so pokazali, kaj so. V začetku junija 1942 so partizani začeli z u-mori zavednih vaščanov. Postalo je jasno, da je OF le orodje komunistične revolucije, ki so jo komunisti začeli izvajati med sovražno okupacijo. Saj niso bili boljši od okupatorjev. Eni in drugi so morili Slovence, oboji so kradli in uničevali narodovo imovino. Vse to je pripeljalo do odločitve, da si vaški fantje sami organiziramo obrambo proti domačim teroristom, pred katerimi nas italijanski okupator sploh ni ščitil. V drugi polovici leta 1942 so se pojavile v Dobrepolju in okolici prve posadke vaških straž. Tudi jaz sem bil med organizatorji in postal poveljnik petintridesetim fantom v Kompoljah. Postojanka je bila tudi v Strugah s 60 vaškimi stražarji, v Korinah s 50, in z istim številom fantov tudi v Ambrusu in Žvirčah. Vsaka postojanka je imela svojega komandanta. Dva meseca pred italijansko kapitulacijo sem bil prestavljen za poveljnika vaške straže v Dolenji vasi pri Ribnici. Po zlomu Italije sem šel s kaplanom Tonetom Poldo v Ljubljano k generalu Leonu Rupniku po informacije, kaj storiti v novonastali situaciji. General Rupnik nama je povedal načrt, da bodo vaške stražarje formirali v udarne bataljone. S to napovedjo sva se vrnila domov, kjer je čakalo na novico trideset fantov. Tiste dni me je nagovarjal Karel Mauser, takrat še bogoslovec, naj bi se vaški stražarji iz dobrepoljske doline odpravili proti Ljubljani. Meni je bila ideja všeč. a se je našel nekdo, ki me je opozoril: “Če ne greš na Turjak, te bodo tožili.” Zato sem opustil to misel in šel čez dva dni iz Dobrepolja na Turjak, kjer se je zbralo 700 vaških stražarjev iz raznih krajev. Zvečer sem se u-deležil sestanka komandantov in se ponudil, da grem s svojimi fanti v bunker na stražo. Ta je bil zgrajen na strateški BRICKMAN & SONS FUNERAL HOME 21900 Euclid Ave. (216) 481-5277 Between Chardon Rd. & E. 222 St. in Euclid, Ohio Avstrijski diplomat slovenskega rodu Zdravko Inzko za las preživel bombni napad (Kar sledi, je iz koroškega skupnega slovenskega tednika Novice z dne 12. decembra. Posredovan je celoten tekst. Ur. AD O Celovec - Diplomat Zdravko Inzko je obhajal ta teden dodatni rojstni dan, čeprav vse prej ko praznično razpoložen. Na službeni poti je tik ušel bombnemu atentatu pred moskovskim hotelom Na-cional. Dan navrh so ga Novice dosegle v dunajskem stanovanju. Že na glasu je bilo zaznati, da še vedno čuti šok. Minuto pred eksplozijo je zapustil hotel, kjer je svojčas stanoval Lenin in ki ga je medtem koroški gradbenik Robert Rogner obnovil. Pičlih sto metrov je bil oddaljen, ko je samomorilska atentatorka sprožila peklenski stroj. Inzko je videl mrliče, ki še niso bili prav mrtvi. Prva pot je vodje jugovzhodnega oddelka zunanjega ministrstva po vrnitvi je bila cerkev... Kar drugi mediji niso poročali: Na petdnevnem potovanju je bila vmes zraven tudi Inzkova žena, mezzosopranistka Bernarda Fink, ki je imela nastop v Moskvi, pa je že prej odpotovala k drugim nastopom. Trenutno ima turnejo z Berlinskim ansamblom za staro glasbo, na programu je Bachov Božični oratorij, dirigent pa je mladi zvezdnik Daniel Harding, katerega je izučil trenutni top-star Simon Rattle. točki sto metrov stran od gradu, od koder je bilo mogoče kontrolirati vse dogajanje v gradu in njegovi okolici. Namesto mene in mojih fantov so komandanti določili, da gre v bunker na stražo neki kapetan z desetimi četniki, ki so prišli na Turjak od Grčaric. Ta posadka pa je ponoči iz neznanih razlogov in brez obvestila zapustila bunker, ki so ga takoj zasedli partizani. Iz bunkerja so obvladali grad in nas presenetili, ki nismo računali s tem, da so v bunkerju že partizani. In prav jaz sem bil prva žrtev preseneče- ZakoncaInzko Pa še nekaj ni bilo zabeleženo v dnevnikih -iz dobrih razlogov: Kot prva je vest, da je atentatu ušel avstrijski diplomat Inzko, v večerni izdaji prinesla Kronen Zei-tung. Novinarji ostalih medijev so užaljeni očitali preživelemu, zakaj da jih ni obvestil. Inzko: “Zunanjepolitični urednik Kronen Zeitung pač vsak tretji dan telefonira z mano - in je poklical kot prvi”. Novice - še - ne morejo konkurirati. Vendar: širši pogled na svet bo, kmalu, brilanten avtor. NOVICE Celovec, 12. dec. 2003 nja, ko sem dobil že prvo jutro od tam partizanski strel skozi pljuča. Izgubil sem veliko krvi ter bil dva dni v nezavesti in z visoko vročino. ° Kaplan Ivan Lavrih, ki je bil tudi z nami na Turjaku, je prosil dr. Kožuha, da mi je dal injekcijo naravnost v srce in me s tem rešil. V gradu sem ležal med ranjenci teden dni. Prijatelja Lojzeta Šuštarja, komandanta vaške straže v Strugah, sem prosil, naj fantje vendar naredijo izpad. Pa mi je odgovoril, da poveljnik strogo prepoveduje vsak izhod iz gradu. Partizani so s pomočjo izdaje in s podporo italijanskih topničarjev po e-nem tednu hude borbe prisilili vaške stražarje k predaji. Bili so pijani od zmage pa tudi od vina, s katerim so jo proslavljali. Ko so nosili naše ranjence nekega večera iz gradu, sem brez problema izkoristil temo in nji- (d'ilje na str. 24) Ludvik Hren - Domobranski spomini (NADALJEVANJE s str. 13) hovo pijanost, da sem šel iz gradu. Zaradi še sveže rane in izgube krvi sem bil tako oslabljen, da sem se na poti večkrat zgrudil, predno sem prišel v jutranjih urah do bratranca v Vodicah. Tam sem se skozi tri mesece skrival, kjer me je teta pozdravila s čaji. Potem ko so se že pojavili domobranci, sem šel prvič po dolgem času spet k maši, ki jo je imel v farni cerkvi kaplan Ivan Lavrih prav na dan vseh svetnikov 1943. leta. Pri tisti maši sem se našel z vsemi svojimi fanti, niti eden ni manjkal.. Ni pa bilo več komandantov vaških straž iz Račne, Strug, Komolj in Žvirč, ker so jih partizani pomorili. Po Turjaku sem šel v 26. domobransko četo v Grosupljem, od tam pa na postojanko v Borovnico, kjer je bil komandant Srb Šubic. Ta me je poslal s skupino vojakov stražit Štampetov most. Kasneje sem bil povabljen, da grem od tam v Rupnikov bataljon, s sedežem na Rakeku. Iz Rakeka sem bil poslan kot vodnik prvega voda na Unec, od tam pa v Cerknico, kamor mi je sledil nato ves Rupnikov bataljon. Jaz pa sem odšel nato s tridesetimi do- . \• '> . ‘ Vo mobranci v Martinjak. Ko je. ‘maja 1945 voja-ška situacija v Jugoslaviji* ukazovala iskanje zvez z riajbiižjimi zahodnimi vojaškimi silami, je prišla v Martinjak “Šesta" četa iz Borovnice z namenom, da odide skupaj z Rupnikovim bataljonom proti Bohinju. f 'Ko0ismo prišli domobranci z Rupnikom do Brezovice, je odredil odmor, sam pa se je odpe- ljal v Ljubljano po informacije. Vrnil se je z novico o splošnem umiku na Koroško, zato se je tudi Rupnikov bataljon odpravil na pot proti Tržiču. Ko smo kasneje počivali nekje na ljubeljskih klancih, je dobil Vuk Rupnik sporočilo, da gospod France Kremžar nujno želi govoriti z njim. Vuk je spravil na noge ves bataljon in takoj nadaljeval pot proti Ljubelju. Pri predoru ga je pri-čakal g. Kremžar z besedami: “Sam Bog vas je prinesel. Odprite nam pot!” Nemški vojski se je namreč tako mudilo domov, da je hotela ves tunel zase! Rupnik je hitro dosegel, da so imeli tudi civilisti prehod skozi tunel. Na koroški strani Karavank se je Rupnikov bataljon še zadnjikrat pomeril s partizani, ki so zaprli prehod čez dravski most. V desetih minutah je bilo vsega konec in pot čez Dravo odprta. Nato je prišel naš bataljon do prvih angleških vojakov, ki so nas presenetili z zahtevo, ki je nismo pričakovali, da moramo odvreči svoje orožje. Kakšno razočaranje in psihološki udarec je bil to za nas! Iz Vetrinja sem bil tudi v Jugoslavijo vrnjen z Rupnikovim bataljonom. Na železniški postaji v Pliberku nas je čakalo že drugo razočaranje, ki smo ga doživeli od naših “zaveznikov”. Ob vstopu v vagone so nam angleški vojaki pobirali ure, prstane in druge vredne predmete. Da Vuk Rupnik ni šel z nami na vlak, je bila It's Time for your eye exam! J. F. OPTICAL Eye Care Specialists Eye Exams Latest in eye fashion - Contact Lenses We Welcome Your Drs. Prescription 775 E. 185th St. Eye Glasses Cleveland, OH 44119 Repaired Tel.: (216) 531-7933 (34) zasluga njegove žene, ki se je temu odločno uprla. Pomagal ji je tudi nek domobranski oficir, ki je Vuka pregovoril, da bo tako laže pomagal svojim fantom kot če bi šel z nami. Partizanskega sprejema na postaji v Celju se raje ne spominjam! Vse junaštvo, ki je partizanom mankalo v borbah, je tu planilo na dan, ko so se srečali z razoroženimi domobranci! Pretepanja s čimerkoli in zmerjanja z izdajalci naročene rdeče drhali ni bilo konca! Gorje domobrancu, katerega je kdo iz naščuvane množice prepoznal! Stotnika Riharja so tako stolkli, da so mu razbili čeljusti, ker so ga vsi poznali kot bivšega nogometaša pri Iliriji. Iskali so Rupnika in takoj ločili oficirje od domobrancev. V Teharjah je bil med zasliševale! tudi partizan in oficir Ozne iz našega kraja, Hinko Kavčič. Ko je ta zagledal na zaslišanju domobranskega kurata Jaka Mavca, katerega je zasliševal že enkrat v Kočevju, mu je rekel: “Vas pa že poznam!” Po tem srečanju s Kavčičem Mavec ni imel nobenega dvoma, kakšen konec čaka domobranca iz Rupnikovega ožjega kroga, kot sem bil jaz, zato mi je rekel: “Ludvik, beži!” Sam sem se tega dobro zavedal, zato se nisem hotel registrirati in sem mislil le na izpad. Onemogočiti bi morali samo nekaj stražarjev... Vprašal sem za svet prijatelja kurata Toneta Poldo, kaj se njemu zdi. “Tu nimamo pravice ubijati." Če je kateri od vrnjenih takrat sanjal in upal, da partizani vendarle ne bodo pobili vseh do zadnjega domobranca, jaz zase nisem imel najmanjšega dvoma, kaj me čaka, če me rdeči odkrijejo. Zato sem sklenil, da pobegnem tudi sam, pa , čeprav me na begu ustrelijo. Mene živega ne smejo dobiti v roke! Vedel sem tudi, da zaradi stradanja vsak dan zgubljam moči, da zato z begom ne smem odlašati. V treh dneh sem dobil samo enkrat malo zdrobe, vode pa nikoli! Na prazik sv. Rešnjega telesa ob osmih zjutraj je napočil trenutek. Ko je mlad partizan s puško spremljal domobrance na stranišče, sem jaz neopazno splezal čez dva metra visok zid, si nato utrl pot še čez žično o-grajo in se zgubil v gozdu. Če sem se rešil iz teharskega taborišča, zame še ni bilo konec nevarnosti, stradanja in drugega trpljenja. Imel sem na sebi samo hlače in srajco. Čevlje mi je odnesla Savinja, ko sem jo prečkal, in sem naslednjih sedem dni do doma hodil bos. Da sem se izognil izdajalskim ljudem, sem hodil skozi gozdove in samo ponoči. Spal sem podnevi, skrit v grmovju. Tretji dan po begu iz taborišča sem ob šestih zjutraj obiral češnje na drevesu, ko sem zagledal kmeta na poti v hlev in brž skočil z drevesa, da me ni opazil. Pri Višnji gori sem srečal poznanega dekleta, ki me je vprašala: “Kaj niste šli z vojaki?” Po devetih dneh križevega pota sem prišel končno domov izstradan in z angino. Doma sem zaužil prvič po vrnitvi v Jugoslavijo malo juhe. En teden sem se skrival okrog doma, da sem si opomogel, potem sem si pa poiskal skrivališče v bližnjem gozdu. Takrat sem bil priča, kako so partizani Cankarjeve brigade morili deset niladih fantov iz sosednje vasi Podgora petsto metrov stran od mene. Nekateri od njih so imeli komaj 17 let. Žrtve so si morale same izkopati jame, potem so jih pobijali s krampi, nazadnje pa postrelili. Ko sem slišal njihovo vpitje in jok, sem se jim bližal, ko pa sem zaslišal streljanje, sem zbežal stran. Pravili so, da je za kazen moral umreti tudi njihov stražar, ker je eden od Jetnikov ušel iz zapora. Ko sem zvedel, da partizani iščejo skrivače, sem se preselil v drug gozd, dve uri hoda daleč od doma. Po treh tednih sem dobil stik z domačinom Francem Brodnikom, skrivačem kot jaz. Zvedel sem tudi za slovenske begunce v Italiji in se odločil, da grem za njimi v svobodo. Župnik Rafko Fabjan mi je preskrbel zemljevid, s katerim sem se oktobra 1945 skupaj z Brodnikom podal na pot proti Italiji in po šestih ali sedmih dneh srečno prišel v Trst. Tu sva se obrnila na duhovnika Jožeta Prešerna, da naju je orientiral, kako prideva v Servigliano med slovenske begunce. Kasneje sem šel z ostalimi taboriščniki iz Ser-vigliane v Senigallijo. Tu sem spoznal Štefko Čuk in se z njo poročil. Politični razvoj v svetu je pokopal naše upanje na skorajšnjo vrnitev v domovino. Tudi midva sva morala misliti na stalno naselitev v kaki ameriški državi. Odločila sva se za Argentino, kot mnogi drugi. Iz Senegallije naju je peljala begunska pot v Buenos Aires, kjer sva se izkrcala leta 1948.” ♦ Tu neha pripovedovanje domobranskih spominov našega jubilanta. V novi deželi je dobil prvo zaposlitev pri nekem gradbenem podjetju, stanovanje pa na Ezeizi. Kasneje je dobil delo v tovarni nogavic v Ciudadeli, si kupil zemljišče v San Justu in začel graditi hišo. L. 1950 se je z družino vselil vanjo, kjer živi še danes. Žena mu je rodila dve hčerki, ki sta se poročili in imata zdaj vsaka svojo družino. V tovarni Ciudadela Je delal do svoje upokojitve, že upokojen 5 letv tovarni Standmetal v San Justu. Ludvik Hren je bil tudi prvi predsednik san-huškega Našega doma. Njegov mandat Je trajal od 1956 do 1958. Bili so to pionirski časi, ko je odbor Doma kupil zemljišče s staro hi$o in jo počasi urejal, da je služila mladini za šolo in starejšim za shajanje. Ko je 1. 1956 Argentino obiskal ljubljanski škof dr. Gregorij Rožman, ga je prvi odbor Našega doma z g. Hrenom na čelu naprosil, da je blagoslovil ta slovenski dom. Jubilant je ostal zaveden član sanhuške skupnosti tudi potem, ko mu je že potekel predsedniški mandat. Požrtvovalno se je udejstvovala tudi njegova žena, ki je v Domu vodila tečaje za ročna dela. In kadar je bila ob večjih prireditvah po- (DALJE na str. 15) Referendum o “izbrisanih” Ustavni naj bi bil 15. februarja sodniki spet Ljubljana (Delo fax, 31. dec. 2003) — Po celodnevni polemični razpravi je 37 poslancev 30. decembra sklenilo, da bo referendum o tehničnem zakonu o “izrisanih" sredi februarja. Gre za zakon, s katerim naj bi na podlagi 8. točke odločbe u-stavnega sodišča približno pet tisočim “izbrisanim”, ki so si medtem že uredili status, priznali stalno bivanje v Sloveniji od dneva izbrisa naprej. Za odlok o razpisu tega referenduma so v glavnem glasovali poslanci koalicije SDS-NSi (18), nacionalne stranke (3) in tudi vsi iz vrst SLS (10). Proti je bilo 5 poslancev LDS in ZLSD. ostali 130) so se glasovanja vzdržali. Vprašanje, kdaj referendum bo, če sploh bo, ostaja kljub odločitvi državnega zbora, še odprto, kajti skupina poslancev LDS in ZLSD ima že pripravljeno zahtevo, naj u-stavno sodišče presodi ustavnost 30. decembra sprejetega odloka, do takrat pa začasno odloži njegovo uporabo. Če referendum bo in če bo Večina tistih, ki se ga bodo udeležili, na vprašanje, ali so za to, da se omenjeni zakon u-veljavi, odgovorila z ne, bo ministrstvo za notra-nJe zadeve začelo odločbe Izbrisanim” izdajati neposredno. Vsaj tako je pred glasovanjem o razpisu tega referenduma napovedal minister Rado Bohinc. Pri tem je tridesetorico poslancev, ki so podpisali zahtevo za razpis, spo-mnil, da so s “tehničnim” zakonom število odločb omejili na štiri do pet tisoč, če pa bo zakon na referendumu padel in bodo odločbe morali izdati neposredno na podlagi 8. točke odločbe ustavnega sodišča, bo + odločb najmanj še enkrat več. V nasprotju z navedeno točko odločbe ustavnega sodišča so namreč v zakonu izvzeti vsi tisti, ki so jim upravni organi P° izbrisu priznali status tujca s stalnim prebivališčem v Sloveniji na pod-olajšav iz zakona o tujcih. Se pravi, da niso Preverjali, ali so od plenita naprej res stalno Veli v Sloveniji, zato naj bi ti bili predmet posebnega zakona, ki se pripravlja za vse druge “izbrisane”. Poslancev, ki zahtevajo referendum, ministrovi argumenti niso prepričali. Nasprotno, trdili so, da je referendum potreben zato, da bo vlada, ki bo morala pripraviti nov zakon, vedela, kakšen mora biti, da bo po meri ljudi. Koaliciji SDS-NSi in SNS se je pri tem pridružila tudi ljudska stranka. Tudi po mnenju njenega predsednika Janeza Podobnika bi namreč morali namesto dveh sprejeti samoen, splošni zakon o tujcih, v katerega bi zapisali tudi določbe o morebitnih odškodninah in o tem, da tisti, ki so delovali proti osamosvojitvenim vrednotam nimajo nobene pravice kaj zahtevati od Slovenije. • Ministrova napoved, da bo v primeru padca zakona odločbe začel izdajati “izbrisanim” brez njega, je za Podobnika groba kršitev ustave, za Janeza Janšo pa tudi degradacija pravnega reda in ministrova politična a-vantura. Take odločbe bodo kasneje razveljavljene, tisti, ki jih bodo izdajali, pa bodo kazensko preganjani, je v svojem dolgem nastopu zagrozil Janša. Zagovorniki referenduma so bili kritični do u-stavnega sodišča, češ da je njegova odločba škandalozna in da se vtika v politične zadeve. Iz razprave je bilo tudi razbrati, da referenduma ne bi zahtevali, če bi vladna koalicija upoštevala vsaj to, da bi za vsakega “izbrisanega” preverili, ali je res stalno bival v Sloveniji, in v naprej omejili višino odškodnin. Nasprotniki referenduma pa so ministra Rada Bohinca v njegovi nameri, da bo začel “izbrisanim” izdajati odločbe, če bo zakon na referendumu padel, sklicujoč se na ponovljeno zahtevo ustavnega sodišča, podpirali in v redkih razpravah, kajti v glavnem so govorili poslanci SDS, poskušali kolege na drugi strani prepričati, da bo država za prazen nič zapravila veliko denarja. J. P. o izbrisanih Ljubljana (Delo fax, 6. Jan. 2003) - Dan po tistem, ko je državni zbor z zgolj 37 glasovi (od 90 možnih, kolikor je poslancev, op. ur. AD) sklenil, da bo referendum o tehničnem zakonu o izbrisanih tretjo nedeljo v februarju, je skupina poslancev LDS, ZLSD in DeSUS na ustavno sodišče naslovila zahtevo za presojo ustavnosti odloka o razpisu tega referenduma. Poslanci - z Miranom Potrčem iz ZLSD jih je podpisanih še 32 - so prepričani, da je omenjeni odlok v nasprotju s 63. in 90. členom ustave. Slednji pravi, da se referendum lahko razpiše o vsem, kar se ureja z zakoni, in da je državni zbor vezan na izid referenduma. Po mnenju skupine poslancev bi referendum torej moral imeti pravne posledice. V primeru tehničnega zakona o izbrisanih pa izid referenduma ne bi imel nobenih pravnih učinkov niti ne zavezuje ne državnega zbora ne vlade ne notranjega ministra. Če bi večina glasovala za to, da se ta zakon ne uveljavi, bi bil zakon samodejno razveljavljen, toda dopolnilne odločbe, o katerih govori 8. točka odločbe ustavnega sodišča, bi notranje ministrstvo izbrisanim vseeno moralo izdati. Če torej referendum ne bo imel nobenega učinka, mu manjka bistvena sestavina 90. člena ustave, so zapisali poslanci. K temu dodajajo, da referendum ne bo imel nobenih pravnih učinkov, bo pa javna razprava pred tem referendumom, sodeč po dosedanjih izkušnjah, ko so nekateri izbrisane javno označili za izmečke, prinesla predvidljive izbruhe nestrpnosti, ki presegajo prepoved iz 63. člena ustave. Ta izrecno prepoveduje spodbujanje k neenakopravnosti in nestrpnostim in nalaga, da državni organi v takih primerih ukrepajo. S spornim odlokom je predvideno, da se uradne priprave na referendum začnejo že ta petek (tj. 9. jan., op. ur. AD), zato omenjena skupina poslancev ustavnemu sodišču predlaga, naj zadrži izvajanje odloka, dokler ne bo presodilo glede njegove morebitne ustavnosti. Drugače bi, pravijo podpisniki zahteve, med katerimi je tudi predsednik državnega zbora Borut Pahor, lahko nastali nepotrebni stroški. Zlasti če bi na primer ustavno sodišče razglasilo, da je odlok neustaven, referendum bi bil pa že izveden. Ustavno sodišče sicer nima z zakonom določenega roka za odgovor, vendar se navadno hitro odzove, ko gre za predlog o zadržanju spornega akta. Sodnica poročevalka -v tej zadevi je to Milojka Modrijan - je državni zbor že zaprosila, naj ji s tem v zvezi do četrtka (tj. danes, op. ur. AD) pošlje podrobnejša pojasnila. Jože Poglajen Domobranski spomini (nadaljevanje s str. 14) trebna pomoč, se je rada pridružila drugim gospem gospem v kuhinji Našega doma. Žal je pred petimi leti umrla. Zdaj, ko zaradi težke hoje ne more več sam od doma, uživa zasluženi pokoj doma v družbi dveh hčerk in njunih otrok, rad bere in se dopisuje s sorodniki in znanci iz domovine ter drugih držav. Za to, kar je bil, in za vse, kar je pretrpel za slovenski narod doma kot kmečki fant, kot vaški stražar, kot domobranec, in v naši skupnosti dobrega storil, naj mu Vsemogočni nakloni lepo in mimo življenjsko jesen! Za konec objavljamo odlomke iz pisma od 30. maja 2000. ki ga je prejel naš jubilant od svoje stare znanke, gospe Francke Sever iz Kompolj in ki ga je pokazal z dovoljenjem, da ga smemo objaviti. Ta gospa je bila s svojim očetom, z materjo in dvema sestrama med civilnimi zaporniki v teharskem taborišču in kot taka priča mučenja, ki so ga tam doživljali domobranci, predno so jih partizani odpeljali na morišča. Z AMERIŠKO DOMOVINO STE VEDNO NA TEKOČEM "... Kako Je bilo v Teharjah, to Ti lahko še enkrat pišem, saj so bili težki časi, da Jih ne moreš nikoli pozabiti. Vsako leto grem na obletno mašo in se spominjam in mislim, da je vse to bilo res. Ti si se vsaj hitro rešil. Res si moral veliko prestati in kako Ti je uspelo, saj smo Te gledale skozi okno barake. Bile so tri velike mreže in kako si mogel to preskočiti in da ni nobeden opazil. Kako smo še me trepetale in molile, da bi Ti Bog dal srečo in srečno ušel... Ne veš, kaj vse se je dogajalo potem. Fantje so stali zunaj na mrazu, na soncu, na kamnu in pesku brez vsakega ležišča. Podnevi so jih pretepali, da so bili vsi krvavi kot Kristusi. Enkrat je prišel en partizan na konju. Fantje so morali ležati po tleh, on pa je s konjem tacal po njih. In me smo morale vse to gledati. Dostikrat so prišli kako do okna in prosili, če imamo kakšno cunjo in da bi jo kako omočile in jo skrivaj vrgle, da bi se vsaj malo omočili jezik. Tudi jaz sem se prav čudežno rešila. Bila sem odbrana, da gremo s fanti kuhat, ko so jih vsak večer vozili s tovornjaki in z njimi 50 deklet. Potem pa me je ena poklicala, naj grem nazaj, tako sem se vrnila skrivaj in se rešila. Vse skupaj je prav čudež, da smo sploh ostali živi, saj smo bili celo poletje tam, prišli smo domov v Jeseni. Vsi ušivi, garjevi, shujšani, sama kost pa koža. Prišli smo domov na vse požgano in oropano, brez vsake živali in hrane in obleke. Tako da so po vasi prosili za nas, da smo preživeli. Potem pa povsod zaničevani in ponižani, bili smo izdajalci slovenskega naroda. Saj še zdaj ni dosti drugače, še zmeraj imajo komunisti prednost... ” (Konec) To pričevanje je bilo objavljeno v decembrski številki argentinske revije Duhovno življenje. « BRALCI AMERIŠKE DOMOVINE Priporočajte naš list! Misijonska srečanja in pomenki 1507. - Drugo pismo misijonarja Lojzeta Podgrajška iz Zambije H{udiju ‘Knezu za 85-letnico Zahvaljen, ljubi Bog, da je mladenič naš dočakal let nič manj kot osemkrat deset plus pet! Zahvaljen večni Gospodar, da si poslal nam vsem ga v dar! Zahvaljen, dobrotljivi Bog, da slavljenec je naš še vedno bister, zdrav! Vsi prosimo Te iz srca., da tak bi korenjak še mnogo, mnogo let ostal! Ob ženki dobri nasmejan, pokončen, kot vojak vzravnan, še vedno delaven, marljiv, do vseh prijazen, ljubezniv, poslan Slovencem iz nebes: tak jubilant je naš, predragi Rudi Knez! Zahvaljen, Rudi, iz srca za svetel vzgled in dobra dela vsa! Za Vas kipi molitev do neba, naj še vnaprej Vas varje Baraga, naj dolgo z Vami še bo srečna ženka Anica, vsa Vajina družinica in naša skupnost vsa! Naj vsemogočni ljubi Bog še mnogo zdravih, srečnih let Vam da! Vaši hvaležni rojaki To je drugo pismo, ki ga je posredoval misionar Lojze Podgrajšek. Zanj ni bilo prostora v AD z dne 18. decembra in je danes objavljeno v dogovoru z go. Ferja-novo kot MSIP 1507. O Sirota Anges Bimana -kratek uvod V pismu se mi Agnes najprej zahvaljuje za podporo, potem pa pripoveduje o svojem strahu, kaj bo, ko bo zambijska vlada “pognala” nvandske begunce nazaj v njihovo deželo. O tem zambijska vlada že dolgo govori. Nekaj ljudi je že zbežalo v Mozambik in Namibijo. Med vrsticami se da razbrati njen velik strah pred prihodnostjo in prošnja za “posvojitev”. Jaz dekleta ne morem posvojiti, lahko pa pred vlado garantiram finančno podporo za dobo šolanja, če bi kdo prevzel tako odgovornost. Do konca tega leta je za Agnes vse preskrbljeno. Za naprej pa ne vem, kako bo, ker bom za eno leto odsoten. Celotni letni stroški zanjo pridejo na približno 350 dolarjev. Če bi se kaka družina zanimala, da bi prevzela skrbstvo te begunke v letu 2004, in če kdo želi več podatkov o njej, mi lahko piše na moj elektronski naslov: loize@,zamnet.zm Agnes je stara 18 let. Sledi (njeno) pismo, ki je dospelo koncem maja 2003: “Vesela sem, da Vam lahko pošljem pozdrave in zahvalo. Rada bi iskreno povedala, da zelo cenim Vašo pomoč in skrb za mene. Bogu se zahvaljuem, da sem spoznala Vas in Vašo dobroto. Verjamem, da je Bog imel svoj ljubeznivi načrt za mene ko mi je dal, da sem Vas spoznala pred enim letom. Ne morem si predstavljati svojega življenja brez šole. S tem, ko mi je Bog omogočil povezavo z Vami, mi Bog pripravlja prihodnost, da bom lahko končala izobrazbo in imela normalno življenje. Bog je vedel, da se zanimate za sirote in da želite podpirati tiste, ki nimajo staršev, in zato mi je omogočil, da sem Vas srečala. Gospod Lojze, vedno Vam bom hvaležna in bom molila za Vas, da bi Vas Bog vselej blagoslavljal. Vi ste me razumeli in mi pomagali takrat, ko sem mislila, da bo mojega življenja konec, ker nisem imela nikogar, ki bi mi plačal šolanje in vse ostale potrebščine. Verjamem, da je tudi Bog vesel zaradi tega. Zato se pa jaz zelo trudim, da bi dobro študirala, da bi bila uspešna na izpitih in dokončala gimnazijo, tako da bom imela možnosti iti še na nadaljnje izpopolnjevanje za poklic. Gospod, pišem Vam tudi zaradi vplačila za izpit na koncu drugega letnika. Rok za vplačilo je 31. marca 2003. Vem, da boste poravnali to stvar, da ne bom imela skrbi in da se mi sošolke ne bodo smejale. Rada bi Vam tudi povedala, da se zelo bojim, kaj bo, ko bodo moji varuhi -to je ena rwandska družina -, ki sem jaz pri njih med počitnicami, morala iti domov v Rwando, ker zambijska vlada že dalj časa govori o obvezni vrnitvi vsah Rwandcev. Pravijo, da ne bi radi šli, ker se bojijo, da jih bodo v Rwandi pobili. Če pa zambijska vlada ne spremeni tega stališča, seveda ne bodo imeli izbire. Jaz pa nikakor ne bi rada šla. Rada bi ostala v Zambiji, ker sem v šoli. Vendar jaz drugih ljudi ne poznam. V Rwando pa tudi ne bi rada šla, saj niti ne poznam jezika, ki ga Rwandčani govorijo. Jaz sploh ne vem, kje sem se rodila. Tudi ne vem, če je še kak moj sorodnik kje živ. Sploh ne vem, kako naj se o tem pozanimam, nimam nobenih naslovov, nobenih kontaktov. Nekaj družina v Lusaki, ki so iz tiste okolice, je povedala lani, da so v naši vasi vse odrasle ljudi pobili. Pustili so le otroke, ki smo se čudežno po več tednih najprej znašli pri nekih “nunah” in se nato razkropili na vse strani. Sploh ne vem, kako da sem ostala pri življenju. Od takrat je minilo že devet let, in se skoraj nič več ne spominjam, razen tistega divjega in pobesnelega nočnega kričanja, drenja in u-miranja, ko so pobijalci v popolni temi napadli našo vas. Če pa ostanem v Zambiji, pa tudi ne vem, kje naj bom in kam naj grem, ko so počitnice. Organizacija Združenih narodov je zelo pristranska in tiste, ki smo se rodili v mešanih Tutsi-Hutu družinah, ne marajo, nas povečini zaničujejo in odklanjajo pomoč. Gospod Lojze, prosim Vas, da mi tudi v tej najbolj težki zadevi priskočite na pomoč. Saj me ne boste zapustili, to nekako čutim in sem globoko prepričana. Iz Vaših oči, katerih se tako živo spominjam še sedajle, name sije upanje in Vaš prijazen nasmeh. Vem, da boste nekaj le poskušali napraviti zame. Ponavljam: Zares ne vem, kaj naj storim. Če ostanem, kam bom šla na počitnice? Če grem 5 njimi, bom zagotovo ostala neizobražena, brez šole, brez prihodnosti in upanja? Zato me je strah, saj zadnje čase nič kaj ne morem študirati, vse drugo mi gre po glavi. Tudi spim zelo slabo. Zgubila sem tri kile svoje teže v zadnjih dveh mesecih. Vse to me muči in u-gonablja. Rada bi ostala v Zambiji. Tako bom vsaj končala gimnazijo in potem še kako dodatno šolo, da bom imela poklic in upanje na zaposlitev ter veselje do življenja. Gospod Lojze, na kolenih prosim, pomagajte mi najti pravo rešitev mojih težav. Ne vem, kako naj Vam povem, vem le to, da jaz želim nadaljevati šolo. Nikakor pa ne bi hotela iti nazaj v Rwando. Prosim še enkrat, da mi pomagate in me obdržite v Zambiji. Sedaj bom pa končala. Prosim Vas, da mi pišete, ali pa morda pridite na o-bisk v šolo. Šolski naslov sem napisala na začetku pisma. Prosim za odgovor, ki me bo potolažil, mi dal 'upanje in vrnil mir v moje življenje, tako, da se bom spet lahko učila in mirno spala. Hvala Vam in Bog Vas blagoslavljaj. Vedno molim za Vas, in moja želja je, da bi lahko bila vedno blizu Vas, ker Vi ste seaj “moj oče”, saj skrbite zame. Ko sošolci govorijo o svojem domu in domačih, se jaz spominjam na Vas in na vašo lepo cerkev na univerzi, na vašo hišo ob univerzitetni cesti in tudi na tisti kombi, s katerim ste me peljali na avtobusno postajo, ko sem januarja odhajala nazaj v šolo. Pri angleški šolski nalogi, ko smo morali pisati o “pomembni osebi v našem življenju” sem jaz pisala spis o Vaši podpori begunskim študentom. Še enkrat Vas na kolenih in s solzami na obrazu prosim, omogočite mi, da bi lahko ostala v Zambiji in nadaljevala šolo. Vaš otrok-sirota, Agnes Bimana” Posredovalka tega pisma je: Sonja Ferjan 79 Lunness Rd., Toronto ON M8W 4M7 Canada Tel.: 416-255-2519 NOVI GROBOVI (nadaljevanje s str. 9) Eugene F. Laurich Umrl je 82 let stari Eugene F. Laurich, mož Vere, roj. Bizjak, oče Pat Baron, Sharon Matyas in Gene-a, 3-krat stari oče. Pogreb je bil 22. decembra s sv. mašo v cerkvi sv. Pavla na Char-don Rd. s pokopom na Vernih duš pokopališču. William Zaller Umrl je 70 let stari William Zaller, mož Betty, roj. Kotnik, oče Debre .Hladky, Williama in Stevena, 2-krat stari oče, brat Carolyn Ja-nezich, Helen Pakiž, Richarda in že pok. Franka. Pogreb je bil 24. decembra s pokopom na Vernih duš pokopališču. % BRALCI AMERIŠKE DOMOVINE Priporočajte naš list!^ V NEPOZABEN SPOMIN FRANC in ANA KAMIN 14. OBLETNICA 37. OBLETNICA umrl 10. jan. 1990 umrla 14. jan. 1967 Gospod, daruj jim mir, naj večna luč jim sveti; ker si dobrote vir, uživajo raj naj sveti. Žalujoči: Sin — Ivan z družino, New York Hčerke — Ani (sestra Bernardka) Marija, Jožefa z družinami (Cleveland, O.) In ostalo sorodstvo v Clevelandu, Sloveniji ter Urugvaju.