Man of the Year
When I was a freshman at the University of Kentucky in the fall of 1956, an English professor gave my class a writing/essay assignment. Following closely the lead of Time Magazine to name a “Man of the Year” each autumn, he assigned us the task of nominating someone for the award that had made a significant contribution to the world community. (Note how things change. This was in 1956 and “Man of the Year” was perfectly acceptable. Can you imagine what would happen today if that title, which has since been changed to “Person of the Year,” was used to mark any significant award?)
While not overly knowledgeable about the world at the time, being from a small town in the Kentucky hills, and a brand-new high school graduate, I was fairly aware of current events because of my interests and work. Should I play it safe and nominate president Dwight Eisenhower? How about former president Harry Truman? Or maybe Dag Hammarskjold, the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the ‘50s? All safe bets to be sure, but none very exciting. And everyone in the class would probably choose one of them.
During my high school years I had worked part-time at my hometown’s single radio station, WSFC. My uncle, Don Orwin, was the news director for the station at the time and I had always had a special relationship with him. In my estimation, uncle Don was worldly for a Somerset native: He had fought in Europe during WWII; was a college graduate; and, perhaps most importantly, we both played in the “big band” dance and swing band that was my major source of revenue while in school. He was the string bass player, and I was the trombone player.
While visiting home for a weekend shortly after the assignment was given, Uncle Don and I had the opportunity to have a talk. I usually visited Don and aunt Eva Mae every time I went home. They were cool and great fun to be with. Even though they had four little ones around, I often took a date over to their house because there was always such lively conversation and entertainment.
I mentioned my assignment to Don, and the dilemma I faced about whether to play it safe or take a flyer at something daring. I preferred daring, but I also didn’t want to go too far off base and alienate the prof or risk less than a stellar grade.
As we talked his eyes lit up with a knowing smile. “The Hungarian Freedom Fighters,” he excitedly exclaimed. He told me about what they were doing to resist the Communist take over of their country and that he had some interesting resources I could use. “Yes,” I agreed, “the Hungarian Freedom Fighters it is. That’s my nominate and who I will write about.”
The Hungarian Freedom Fighters had been in the news all summer. They had been waging open warfare against the hated Communist government of Hungary since spring, and they were winning. And, of course, our government, totally opposed to expansion of the Soviet Union in Europe, attempted to help the revolt in this early stage of the “Iron Curtain” era.
Uncle Don took me to the radio station - WSFC - and to the little room where the UPI (United Press International) and AP (Associated Press) news wires spewed out stories of current events with a constant tap-tap-tap-tap. It was the nerve center were even in little, out-of-the-way Somerset, Kentucky, we kept up-to-date about the rest of the world. Tap tap-tap-tap-tap.
It was the era of “rip and read” journalism and everything came through that machine on long rolls of paper ready to be tersely read on the radio by very serious announcers. A lot different from the “happy faces” and “happy talk” of today’s TV anchors.
Coming off the machine in a steady stream of tap-tap-tap-taps were stories about the brave men who were fighting the “evil Communists” in the streets of Budapest: How they were fighting the well-equipped Soviet Army with home-made “Molotov Cocktails” – actually wine bottles filled with gasoline, or as they said in the European releases, “petrol,” with a rag wick in the neck. When the wick was set ablaze the whole thing became an effective explosive to be thrown at troops, vehicles, and even tanks.
Uncle Don fed me more, and more articles filled with the heroic deeds of the Hungarians who were fighting to preserve their country from being swallowed up by the expanding Soviet Bloc. Even when I got back to school, he mailed me the latest “takes” from the little machine.
With all the material in hand, I wove together an impressive array of tales about their bravery and acts of heroism. The more I wrote the more I became inspired, and the words poured from me. I typed and typed, and then retyped again and again (that’s the way it was before computers made corrections or additions just a few key strokes rather than a full retype project), adding new material as it became available “off the wire.” Finally, because the deadline was nearing and there was so much news coming in, I had to just say it was finished and ready to submit for the class.
I had no thought that the people I had written about, and the stories of their courageous acts would stir such a response ten thousand miles away in this county. Even though there was news from Hungary each day, surely Dwight, Harry, or Dag would win the prize. They were the leading men of the day for certain. Or were they?
The assignment was due on the day Time Magazine would announce their choice, and all of us in the class were pretty excited about who would win. Who in our class had nominated the winner?
The wait was almost unbearable. Then the time for the announcement came. The professor brought a copy of the just-released magazine into the classroom. Imagine my surprise when the cover was a collage of scenes from the war-torn streets of Budapest. “The Hungarian Freedom Fighters,” indeed were the recipients of Time’s “Person of the Year Award” in 1956.
I relished the moment. No one else had even come close: they had stuck with the traditional choices, but I had taken a step outside the box. It felt good, and I realized I had learned a valuable lesson about taking chances, following my instincts and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise.
Then, after all was said and done, I said a silent prayer of thanks for my Uncle Don who had been such a great help and inspiration. Tap-tap-tap-tap.
By the way, I received an A for the paper and an A for the class at the end of the semester. Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.
October 20, 1986
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The people of Hungary have contributed many chapters to the history of the struggle for liberty, but never more nobly than in 1956. On October 23 of that year, Hungarians, including the young people, rose up in revolt against communist dictatorship and Soviet occupation.
The freedom fighters, as they were called by a world amazed at their heroism and idealism, fought almost barehanded against heavy odds, and soon fell victim to treachery and ruthless suppression. But they lit a candle of hope and inspiration that can never be extinguished.
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was a true revolution of, by, and for the people. Its motivations were humanity's universal longings to live, worship, and work in peace and to determine one's own destiny. The Hungarian Revolution forever gave the lie to communism's claims to represent the people, and it told the world that brave hearts still exist to challenge injustice.
The Hungarian freedom fighters of 1956 perished or suffered exile, but their sacrifice lives on in the memory of the Hungarian people. Their example lives on as well, for we see brave people -- we call them freedom fighters too -- in genuine popular revolutions against communist oppression around the world. Let us honor the Hungarian freedom fighters of 1956 with renewed dedication to our own freedom and with continued assistance for those who follow in their footsteps today.
In memory of the Hungarian heroes of 1956, and to honor those who struggle still, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 385, has designated October 23, 1986, as ``National Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day'' and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 23, 1986, as National Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day. I invite the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to reaffirm their dedication to the international principles of justice and freedom, which unite and inspire us.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh.
Ronald Reagan
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:02 a.m., October 21, 1986]
While not overly knowledgeable about the world at the time, being from a small town in the Kentucky hills, and a brand-new high school graduate, I was fairly aware of current events because of my interests and work. Should I play it safe and nominate president Dwight Eisenhower? How about former president Harry Truman? Or maybe Dag Hammarskjold, the Secretary-General of the United Nations in the ‘50s? All safe bets to be sure, but none very exciting. And everyone in the class would probably choose one of them.
During my high school years I had worked part-time at my hometown’s single radio station, WSFC. My uncle, Don Orwin, was the news director for the station at the time and I had always had a special relationship with him. In my estimation, uncle Don was worldly for a Somerset native: He had fought in Europe during WWII; was a college graduate; and, perhaps most importantly, we both played in the “big band” dance and swing band that was my major source of revenue while in school. He was the string bass player, and I was the trombone player.
While visiting home for a weekend shortly after the assignment was given, Uncle Don and I had the opportunity to have a talk. I usually visited Don and aunt Eva Mae every time I went home. They were cool and great fun to be with. Even though they had four little ones around, I often took a date over to their house because there was always such lively conversation and entertainment.
I mentioned my assignment to Don, and the dilemma I faced about whether to play it safe or take a flyer at something daring. I preferred daring, but I also didn’t want to go too far off base and alienate the prof or risk less than a stellar grade.
As we talked his eyes lit up with a knowing smile. “The Hungarian Freedom Fighters,” he excitedly exclaimed. He told me about what they were doing to resist the Communist take over of their country and that he had some interesting resources I could use. “Yes,” I agreed, “the Hungarian Freedom Fighters it is. That’s my nominate and who I will write about.”
The Hungarian Freedom Fighters had been in the news all summer. They had been waging open warfare against the hated Communist government of Hungary since spring, and they were winning. And, of course, our government, totally opposed to expansion of the Soviet Union in Europe, attempted to help the revolt in this early stage of the “Iron Curtain” era.
Uncle Don took me to the radio station - WSFC - and to the little room where the UPI (United Press International) and AP (Associated Press) news wires spewed out stories of current events with a constant tap-tap-tap-tap. It was the nerve center were even in little, out-of-the-way Somerset, Kentucky, we kept up-to-date about the rest of the world. Tap tap-tap-tap-tap.
It was the era of “rip and read” journalism and everything came through that machine on long rolls of paper ready to be tersely read on the radio by very serious announcers. A lot different from the “happy faces” and “happy talk” of today’s TV anchors.
Coming off the machine in a steady stream of tap-tap-tap-taps were stories about the brave men who were fighting the “evil Communists” in the streets of Budapest: How they were fighting the well-equipped Soviet Army with home-made “Molotov Cocktails” – actually wine bottles filled with gasoline, or as they said in the European releases, “petrol,” with a rag wick in the neck. When the wick was set ablaze the whole thing became an effective explosive to be thrown at troops, vehicles, and even tanks.
Uncle Don fed me more, and more articles filled with the heroic deeds of the Hungarians who were fighting to preserve their country from being swallowed up by the expanding Soviet Bloc. Even when I got back to school, he mailed me the latest “takes” from the little machine.
With all the material in hand, I wove together an impressive array of tales about their bravery and acts of heroism. The more I wrote the more I became inspired, and the words poured from me. I typed and typed, and then retyped again and again (that’s the way it was before computers made corrections or additions just a few key strokes rather than a full retype project), adding new material as it became available “off the wire.” Finally, because the deadline was nearing and there was so much news coming in, I had to just say it was finished and ready to submit for the class.
I had no thought that the people I had written about, and the stories of their courageous acts would stir such a response ten thousand miles away in this county. Even though there was news from Hungary each day, surely Dwight, Harry, or Dag would win the prize. They were the leading men of the day for certain. Or were they?
The assignment was due on the day Time Magazine would announce their choice, and all of us in the class were pretty excited about who would win. Who in our class had nominated the winner?
The wait was almost unbearable. Then the time for the announcement came. The professor brought a copy of the just-released magazine into the classroom. Imagine my surprise when the cover was a collage of scenes from the war-torn streets of Budapest. “The Hungarian Freedom Fighters,” indeed were the recipients of Time’s “Person of the Year Award” in 1956.
I relished the moment. No one else had even come close: they had stuck with the traditional choices, but I had taken a step outside the box. It felt good, and I realized I had learned a valuable lesson about taking chances, following my instincts and taking advantage of opportunities when they arise.
Then, after all was said and done, I said a silent prayer of thanks for my Uncle Don who had been such a great help and inspiration. Tap-tap-tap-tap.
By the way, I received an A for the paper and an A for the class at the end of the semester. Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.
October 20, 1986
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
The people of Hungary have contributed many chapters to the history of the struggle for liberty, but never more nobly than in 1956. On October 23 of that year, Hungarians, including the young people, rose up in revolt against communist dictatorship and Soviet occupation.
The freedom fighters, as they were called by a world amazed at their heroism and idealism, fought almost barehanded against heavy odds, and soon fell victim to treachery and ruthless suppression. But they lit a candle of hope and inspiration that can never be extinguished.
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was a true revolution of, by, and for the people. Its motivations were humanity's universal longings to live, worship, and work in peace and to determine one's own destiny. The Hungarian Revolution forever gave the lie to communism's claims to represent the people, and it told the world that brave hearts still exist to challenge injustice.
The Hungarian freedom fighters of 1956 perished or suffered exile, but their sacrifice lives on in the memory of the Hungarian people. Their example lives on as well, for we see brave people -- we call them freedom fighters too -- in genuine popular revolutions against communist oppression around the world. Let us honor the Hungarian freedom fighters of 1956 with renewed dedication to our own freedom and with continued assistance for those who follow in their footsteps today.
In memory of the Hungarian heroes of 1956, and to honor those who struggle still, the Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 385, has designated October 23, 1986, as ``National Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day'' and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this event.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim October 23, 1986, as National Hungarian Freedom Fighters Day. I invite the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities to reaffirm their dedication to the international principles of justice and freedom, which unite and inspire us.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of October, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and eighty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and eleventh.
Ronald Reagan
[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 9:02 a.m., October 21, 1986]
posted by TwoMauians | 5:15 PM
2 Comments:
Wayne, your story not only brought a team to my eye, but chills down my spine. Very inspiring.
Peggy
Okay, so much for editing...of course I meant "tear" to my eye rather than "team"! LOL
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