Stalin and the National D-Day Memorial

6/9/2010 - The American Hungarian Federation Condemns Stalin Bust at National D-Day Memorial... The American Hungarian Federation honors the bravery of all who fought and died June 6, 1944, forever known and revered as “D-Day.” Americans of all backgrounds braved unimaginable horrors as they valiantly stepped forward on the beaches of Normandy to free Europe from the Nazi scourge.  Freedom-loving Americans and Europeans alike are eternally grateful for the sacrifices of the “Greatest Generation.”  We were looking forward to the opening of the National D-Day Memorial with great anticipation.

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The National D-Day Memorial Foundation asks us to “imagine a place where the lessons and legacy of D-Day are remembered and preserved, a place where veterans of all ages are welcomed and honored, a place where visitors discover and recognize the worthy service of those who answer duty’s call, a place where gravity and dignity are hallmarks.” They explain that the “National D-Day Memorial reminds all who enter it of the heavy price that heartland communities have paid, and still pay, for freedom.”

The Foundation’s decision to include a bust of the tyrannical murderer Josef Stalin is deeply disturbing and is incompatible with the stated goals of the Foundation. To include a man who murdered more people than Hitler and the Nazis and began the Cold War is insulting to “those who answer duty’s call” and “paid, and still pay, for freedom.”

It was reported that “William McIntosh, the memorial foundation’s president, said the intent is not to portray Stalin as a hero, but rather as an ally who distracted German forces and played a part in the timing and unfolding of D-Day.” Stalin was no ally. On August 21, 1939, Stalin and Hitler concluded a deal -- the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact -- by which they both agreed to divide Europe. Both attacked Poland in September, less than a month later. Stalin assisted Hitler by supplying resources to assist the Nazi war machine. It wasn't until Hitler attacked the Soviet Union that Stalin fought against him. While Allied forces were fighting to free Europe, Stalin and his Soviet hordes fought to occupy much of Central and Eastern Europe. His legacy is that of death, destruction, internment, forced labor, torture, fear, suffering, oppression, occupation, and “Evil Empire.”

Hungarians rose up against Soviet tyranny in 1956. They cut off the head of Stalin’s statue, leaving only his boots. The “Freedom Fighters” while initially successful, would later be crushed by 200,000 troops and 5,000 tanks. Thousands died, children hung, and 2% of the population fled, many to the United States. These Freedom Fighters would go on to make significant contributions to their new homeland.

The American Hungarian Federation, with its legacy of supporting liberty and human rights, cannot remain silent. We respectfully ask the National D-Day Memorial Foundation to remove the Stalin Bust. Stalin’s is not a legacy to be honored and has no place on hallowed ground.

Sincerely,

Bryan Dawson
Chairman, Executive Committee

Frank Koszorus, Jr.
National President                        

Akos Nagy
Chairman of the Board

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The Bedford Bulletin newspaper publishes AHF Letter to the Editor.
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Balla Eszter- Létrehozás: 2010.06.17.

Kiakadtak a magyarok: nem menedzser, tömeggyilkos... „Sztálin öröksége a halál, a pusztítás, az internálás, a kényszermunka, a kínzás, félelem, szenvedés, elnyomás, megszállás, a Gonosz birodalmának létrehozása" - figyelmeztet az Amerikai Magyar Szövetség.

Hogy mindezt az amerikai kiállítás rendezői ne tudták volna? Nem valószínű, hogy tudatosan akartak megsérteni a kommunizmus áldozatait. Inkább, a hatékony Putyin-propagandának hála, azt a manapság divatos elvet vallhatják ők is, hogy szétválasztható Sztálin, a második világháborús hadvezér Sztálintól, a tömeggyilkostól. A jelenlegi orosz történelemkönyvekben Sztálin már sikeres menedzserként, kiváló szervezőként és hadvezérként szerepel, a népirtóról nem esik szó. Oroszországban ma Sztálin a harmadik legnépszerűbb történelemi figura.
[tovább a cikkhez]

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Links

• Sign the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation's Stalin Petition
• The D-Day Memorial Foundation Explains "why Stalin?"
• U.S. Honors Stalin on Hallowed Ground, Will Saddam Hussein Be Next? "It took the people of the former Soviet Empire five decades to right the wrongs of Stalin's "evil empire," as Ronald Reagan called it. These days, the Poles are planning to put up a statue of Reagan in Warsaw to acknowledge his role in ending Soviet Communism. How ironic that in Virginia, America is putting up a bust of Stalin" - Alex Storozynski Author, "The Peasant Prince: Thaddeus Kosciuszko and the Age of Revolution"
• AHF and NATO
• Szelmenc: The Village Cut in Two: How Stalin occupied and divided a tinyHungarian village along Main Street, and kept families apart for 50 years.
• Hudson Institute Panel: Enduring Strains of Communism in Central and Eastern Europe
• The 1956 Hungarian Revolution
• www.hungary1956.com

Publications / Articles

Most of these are .PDF files. If you do not have the free Adobe Reader, click the icon.

• April 29, 2003 - US Senate Testimony: "NATO Enlargement: Promoting Western Values, Strengthening the Alliance." Calling attention to minority protections. before the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.
• March 25, 2009 - US Senate Reception on the Occasion of the Policy Reception in Honor of NATO and Its Enlargement - : Remarks of Frank Koszorus, Jr.
• April 2009 - CEEC statement on NATO Enlargement and Supporting the Open Door Policy.
• July 2007 - Hungary's Accession to NATO: An expanded report by Frank Koszorus, Jr.
• October - November 1997: The Debate on NATO Enlargement:
  Hearings Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Testimony of Frank Koszorus, Jr., President, AHFDC. An interesting exchange with Sen. John Kerry.
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• June 20, 1996 - U.S. Policy Toward NATO Enlargement: Hearing before the Committee on International Relations, United States House of Representatives 104th Congress, Second Session: Testimony of Frank Koszorus, Jr., President, AHFDC.
• March 29, 2004 - On the Occasion of NATO Expansion, Corcoran Gallery of Art. AHF Remarks by Frank Koszorus, Jr.: NATO Enlargement and Minority Rights
• October 24, 2003 - AHF Memorandum on Romanian President Iliescu Visit

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