ˇ ´ VESTNIK S P J S T
Volume 107 Number 5
Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity
★ Brotherhood
February 6, 2019
ISSN —07458800
The Identification and Return of S/SGT Leo J. Husak Editor’s Note: A special thank you to SPJST Lodge 54, West member Johnny Husak for sharing these stories about his brother S/SGT Leo J. Husak and his grandfather John Husak. John was one of the founding SPJST members from Lodge 1, Fayetteville. Later, he was a member of Lodge 126, Dubový Háj, or Oak Grove in Ross, Texas (McLennan County) where Johnny’s father, J.J. Husak, served as secretary. His grandfather’s account of being a founding member appears on page 13. The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency identified the remains of an unknown soldier killed during World War II as S/Sgt Leo J. Husak and on February 14, 2018, the Agency notified the siblings of the identified fallen soldier, 73 years after the affect. The funeral was held on June 23, 2018, at West Brethren Church in West, Texas, with full military honors at the family plot. S/Sgt Leo J. Husak was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Husak of West, Texas. He was listed as Missing in Action on January 30, 1945, and declared Killed in Action on November 23, 1945. His surviving siblings are Irene Husak
Lancaster of College Station, Texas; brother Johnny Husak of Haughton, Louisiana; Edwin Husak of West, Texas; and Fred Husak of Waco, Texas. The parents have since deceased. Staff Sergeant Leo J. Husak attended Leggott Elementary School and West High School in West, Texas, and graduated in 1943. He entered the military from West, Texas, and underwent basic Army indoctrination training at Camp Walters in Mineral Wells, Texas. Upon completion of training, he was transferred to Camp Butner, North Carolina, for basic infantry training and assigned to the 78th Infantry Division. After basic training, he transferred to Camp Pickett, Virginia, for combat infantry training. In October 1944, Corporal Leo J. Husak and the 78th Army Division were transferred to Great Britain and entered the European combat theater. S/Sgt. Leo J. Husak served in Company A, 1st Battalion, 309th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division in the European Theater during World War II. He was involved in combat during the battle of the HurtContinued on Page 13.
SPJST Recognizes Longtime Members on pages 4 to 8 SPJST extends its thanks and appreciation to the many members who are achieving membership landmarks in 2019. This week’s Vestnik lists the SPJST members achieving 50- and 75-years of membership in SPJST and Age 96 and Age 100 members. Congratulations to these honorees! Members who achieve “The Grand Age of 96” receive special recognition in
SPJST. At this special age, members are considered to have “outlived” the terms of their insurance certificate and are allowed to collect its proceeds. They remain members of SPJST with all the privileges and benefits of the active members, but are not required to pay any dues or assessments. The 2019 honorees are listed on pages 4 to 8 of this week’s Vestnik. —SPJST—
✧ ✧ ✧ SPJST Youth Leadership ✧ ✧ ✧ District Youth Counselors and their assistants met at the SPJST Home Office in Temple on Saturday, January 26. DYCs seated in front are, left to right, Sharon Russell (District One), Patsy Koslovsky (District Two), Mary Steinman (District Three), Pam Lehmann (District Four), Barbara Linney-Gonzales (District Five), Lisa Bubela (District Six), and April Howard (District Seven). Back: State Fraternal Director Frank Horak; Assistant DYCs Holly Narro and Hannah Kovar (District One), Amber Bartek and Cristy Girod (District Two), Appa Burcie (District Three), Laura Pospichal (District Four), Michelle Wockenfuss (District Five), Lian Pruski (District Seven), Fraternal Services Specialist Tammy Martinez; and SPJST President Brian Vanicek. More photos on page 23.
N N N N N N N N Inside This Week’s Věstník N N N N N N N N Readers Write ......................................3 Interest Rates.......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 District News......................................12 Recipe ...............................................14 Lodge Section....................................15
In Memoriam ....................................21 Youth Section.....................................22 Vestnik Project...................................25 Czech Culture ...................................26 Advertisements .................................29 Lodge Calendar .................................30
Lodge 88 Houston Swim Club shares proposal
District Six Cemetery Organization meets Page 15
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Lodge 47 Seaton youth earns first chair in honor band Page 24