ˇ ´ VESTNIK
Volume 105 Number 43
S P J S T Benevolence
H E R A L D
★ Humanity ISSN —07458800
★ Brotherhood
November 8, 2017
Lest We Forget
From the Editor’s Note: This week, we remember December 16, 1964 Věstník and honor our Czech brother, Dominick Written by Editor Nick Morris Naplava, the first Texan killed in World War I. Dominick gallantly volunteered At the outdoor festivities at the last to serve in the Canadian Army, fighting with the Allied forces in Europe to defend Czech Festival in Dallas this past October, Brother Josef the liberty of our Becan of Lodge Czech homeland. 92, Fort Worth He was killed 100 came up to me, years ago on Nospoke the usual vember 12, 1917, salutations and in the 3rd Battle of said, “I’ve got Ypres at Passsomething for chendaele. The you here.” He following is pulled out a photo reprinted from the postcard bearing December 16, the picture of a 1964, Věstník and person I didn’t was written by recognize. “This Editor Nick Moris Dominick ris. Thanks to Lois Naplava,” he (Dybala) Morea said. and Marilyn Lawrence for conI had heard tacting the Věstník of Dominick and sharing the Naplava. I had information on read about him in their great uncle. the HudsonJosef Becan who Maresh book, The is mentioned in Dominick Naplava was the first Texan Czech Pioneers of the article was a killed in World War I. Dominick gal- the Southwest, lantly volunteered to serve in the member of SPJST Canadian Army, fighting with the Al- and more reLodge 92, Fort lied forces in Europe to defend the lib- cently, the AmeriWorth. He passed erty of his Czech homeland. He was c a n - C z e c h away in 1984. The killed on November 12, 1917, in the Festival Commitlast line in the ar- 3rd Battle of Ypres at Passchendaele. tee had given a ticle says, “We, in brief resume of America and the Free World, owe much his life. I thanked Brother Becan and to people like Dominick Naplava and promised that I would do an article the thousands like him who gave the about Mr. Naplava in some future issue maximum for their country.” We honor of the Věstník. and appreciate our Veterans for their service. •••
Dominick Naplava was the first Texan killed in World War I. He was born in the small village of Zadovice, Moravia, Czechoslovakia, on January 11, 1892. He attended the local village school as time and opportunity permitted. As a very small boy, he had made one journey to the United States with an older brother to visit a still older brother who had lived in Houston for some years. He came back to the United States for the second time early in 1914. He boarded a steamer at Bremen, Germany. He had been accompanied on board by several friends, mostly musicians. Dominick had always had intense feelings of nationalism and patriotism. Just prior to departure and before the farewell music began, he offered his own sentiments about his homeland and friends when he wrote these words on a poster he displayed: To the Czech Nation, liberty—good luck” (in Czech). Dominick Naplava sailed for Texas, his new home.
Dominick had failed to let his older brother know of his expected arrival date, and it was for that reason no one met him at the docks at Galveston. He arrived in Houston a short time after debarking. His first job was with a railroad bridge building crew in the Houston Ship Channel District. His days of hard work in the Moravian coal fields paid off in the brawn and muscle necessary in his new job. He tackled his job with enthusiasm. After that project was completed, Dominick got a job as kitchen helper in the Houston Country Club. This opened a whole new field of association to him. He made many friends while there, and when he announced that he was going to quit his job at the club, he was urged to reconsider. He was happy but somehow restless. Patriotic fervor was seething within him. Continued on Page 16.
N N N N N N N N Inside This Week’s Věstník N N N N N N N N
Interest Rates ......................................3 Readers Write ......................................3 Important Dates ...................................3 Recipe ..................................................3 Supreme Lodge Meeting Minutes ......4 Lodge Section....................................10
Scholarship Info ................................16 In Memoriam ......................................17 Youth Section ....................................18 Czech Culture ....................................19 Advertisements ............................20-21 Lodge Calendar .................................22
Lodge 25 Ennis serves meal before meeting
SPJST Home Office staff dress up for Halloween
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Lodge 185 New Braunfels youth enjoy Halloween party