Podpora ★ Lidskost ★ Bratrstvi´

TCGS to pay tribute to Czech Veterans who gave their life for our freedom; deadline is April 1

A Soldier Who Had Faith

This article, in part, appeared in the Vestnik, Volume 77, No. 42, on pages 12 and 13 on November 1, 1989. It read:

This is a story of a man’s sacrifice during World War II.

S/Sgt. Frank Valentich of the Second Infantry Division, was killed September 9, 1944, at Frontven, France, on the main road from Guipavas to Brest, France.

Frank joined the Second Infantry Division as a replacement in July 1944. He was just like any other rifleman who had to prove himself in combat.

As the division moved across the hedgerows of Normandy, he proved himself many times, as a rifleman, assistant squad leader, and squad leader. Many times, when the situation was static, word would come from headquarters that a Holy Mass would be held in the rear, and you were allowed a few men to go.

This man, when he was a private, asked that others be allowed to attend, if the requests to go exceeded the quotas. He said that he came from a very religious family that he had been an altar boy all through his younger life.

He mentioned that he didn’t feel that he would come out alive but, of course, in a situation such as that, he was always told to think positively. He said that he knew if he died that a priest would be with him because he attended many first Friday masses in his life. (He said that he was always taught if you attended Mass and communion on nine first Fridays that, if you died, a priest would be with you to give you the Last Rites).

In September, after moving out of Normandy, France, and becoming a part of a task force, clearing the Peninsula of Germans, the division moved back to Frontven, ready to start the assault on the City of Brest. In this position, there was little action only for the patrols being sent to the front.

Finally, the orders came that the division was to attack toward Kernvarch. As the unit moved forward, the many houses in the village were checked quickly. Sgt. Frank Valentich crossed the road and moved up a sunken road.

He proceeded forward to the fork in the road when a machine gun opened fire. The machine gun was dug in through the hedgerow.

Sgt. Frank Valentich was wounded. While the rest of the squad gave supporting fire, the medics were able to pull him back. Sgt. Valentich was brought back into the first floor of a house which was on the highway.

The medics gave him blood plasma and did whatever they could to help him, but the bullet hit his artery high up on his thigh, and there was no way to stop the bleeding.

Suddenly, in the corner of the room, a trap door in the floor started opening. Of course, all weapons in the room were pointed to that direction. When the trap door was opened, a hand came waving, then a head with a beret on top. It was then noticed a white collar of a priest, a second priest was with him. He was asked if he could speak English and was told that Frank Valentich was a Catholic and was dying. They understood and both knelt by the stretcher. When the medics said that he was dead, not only was there one priest when he died, but there were two. The house was used by the traveling priest to commute between villages.

S/Sgt. Frank Valentich, like millions of other Americans serving in combat, gave their lives so we might have the freedom we so much enjoy. The Texas Czech Genealogical Society (TCGS) has plans to pay special tribute to as many Czechs who paid the Ultimate Sacrifice serving our country for our freedom as possible with a special recording over the internet beginning the week of May 22, 2023 - the week leading into Memorial Day.

This tribute is not for TCGS members only—but for all Czechs. So that as many as can be honored, we need your help and support. How? By submitting your Czech Veteran’s name and photo to Charlene Hurta by email to cmhurta@earthlink.net or mail to Charlene at 1231 CR 201A, Angleton, Texas 77515. Along with the veteran’s name and photo, please give the date of birth, date of death, and branch of service, if known. Be mindful, your veteran that you have in mind needs only “one drop” of Czech blood to qualify. The veteran

Dallas Stars’ Radek Faksa visits with SPJST President/CEO could be your dad, husband, wife, brother, sister, distant relative, or an acquaintance.

Brian Vanicek, back, and SPJST Vice President of Communications Melanie Zavodny recently at the Home Office in Temple. Radek (#12) is the Czech professional ice hockey center for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League.

If you have an email address, please include it if you are mailing the photo in order that we may make sure you receive notification of the link to our recording paying Tribute to Czech Veterans Who Paid the Ultimate Sacrifice for our freedom. Veteran photo(s) and information submission deadline is April 1, 2023.

God Bless America.

Charlene Hurta

TCGS Vice President SPJST Lodge 200 Bruceville-Eddy —SPJST—

Rosettes

Fried pastries known as rosettes are common around the world. They are known as rozety in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. These delicate pastries are made by dipping a rosette iron into a thin batter, dunked into hot oil until golden brown then dusted with confectioners’ sugar. They are far easier to make than they seem, even if a little time-consuming.

Ingredients

2 large eggs, slightly beaten

2 teaspoons sugar

1 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

4 cups canola oil, for frying

Directions

Place 3 inches of canola oil in a deep fryer or deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan, and heat to 375 degrees F, using a candy/frying thermometer clipped to the pot. Attach the desired rosette shapes to your handle (some handles can accommodate 2 rosette shapes).

While oil is heating, prepare the batter. In a medium bowl, add sugar to eggs and whisk to combine.

Add milk and whisk to combine. Measure flour correctly and whisk together with the salt.

Transfer to the bowl with eggs and milk and beat until smooth. Add vanilla and mix again. (The consistency should be that of heavy cream. If it is too thick, add a little milk. If the batter is too thick, the rosettes will not be crisp.)

When ready to fry, immerse the rosette iron with attached shape(s) into the hot oil until thoroughly heated (1 minute or so). Lift iron out, shaking off excess fat and blotting onto a paper towel. Dip into prepared batter only to the depth of the form, not over the top as the excess batter will have to be scraped off after frying in order to take the rosette off the form.

Dip forms into the hot oil. When foamy bubbling stops and/or rosettes are a golden brown, lift iron out of oil, allowing excess oil to drain off back into the fryer or saucepan.

Remove the rosettes using a skewer to push them off or tap the back side of the rosette forms with a wooden spoon. Drain rosettes open side down on paper towels so excess oil will run out.

Dip the rosette iron into the hot fat, blot lightly on paper towels and then dip into the batter. Continue in this manner until all the batter is used up.

Dust rosettes with confectioner’s sugar while still warm or when cool, or just before serving. Enjoy.

Tips https://www.thespruceeats.com/traditional-fried-rosettes-recipe-1136083 —SPJST—

• If iron or oil is not the correct temperature, either too hot or too cold, the batter will not adhere to the forms.

• If the rosettes are not crisp, the batter is too thick and should be diluted with milk.

• Well-drained and cool rosettes can be stored in an airtight container. If they become soggy, re-crisp them on a cookie sheet in a 350-degree F oven for a few minutes.

Camp Kubena seeks summer staff

Camp Kubena Executive Director Rob Clift, right, promotes Camp Kubena at Texas A&M University on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. Camp Kubena is currently hiring and recruiting for its summer staff. Check out campkubena.com for job opportunities and for more information.

Czech Cultural Calendar

Hours of Operation

Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center (CHMGC), 119 West French Avenue, Temple. Hours: Open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for those 60 or older, and $2 for kids, 12 and under. Every First and Third Tuesday Evenings: Tarok Parties—All ages and anyone interested are welcome. No admission or fee. Award-winning tournament champions Jimmie and Carolyn Coufal not only teach beginners, but also help experienced players increase their skill. For Museum information: tours, happenings, and activities, call: CHMGC 254-899-2935 (can leave a message); email czechheritagemuseum@gmail.com; find them on Facebook; or visit the Center’s website https://czechheritagemuseum.org

Monday through Saturday

Czech Center Museum Houston, 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibits. Experience the culture, art, music, and stories of many Czechs, Slovaks, and people of all cultures who left their country to seek liberty and democracy in America.

Beginner Czech Lessons: Monday evenings, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Conversational Czech hour - Saturdays, 1 to 2 p.m. Bring a friend or neighbor and come practice your Czech! Not a member? Join today for early access to concerts, movie nights, lectures, and events at CCMH as well as free Czech language lessons and monthly membership socials. Monthly Movie Nights: CCMH has reinstated monthly movie nights. Check the online calendar for more information. CCMH is located at 4920 San Jacinto Street in Houston.For information, call 713-528-2060; or visit czechcenter.org

Deadline March 31

Travels to Czechia Photo Competition— photos should depict the beauty of Czechia, whether through its nature, architecture, culture, culinary delights, and/or modern marvels. Photos may feature world-famous sights, historical wonders of Prague, and other major cities or paths less traveled throughout the Czech countryside and villages. Photos may incorporate people and their joy, amazement, nostalgia, or other emotions felt during their travels. The Czech Embassy will collect the photographs in honor of Czech automobile racer Eliška Junková and her love of travel. Selected photos will be exhibited at the Czech Embassy on May 13, 2023. For guidelines and information, contact visit https://www.mzv.cz/washington —SPJST—

Texas Czech Genealogical Society

Website: txczgs.org

Promoting the study of the genealogy of the particular group of people known as “Texas Czechs.”

For membership: Marie Dulak 979-324-7871

Altar Society

Springfest

St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Cyclone, Texas

Sunday, April 2 10:30 a.m. until ?

Dine In & Drive-Thru

Home-Fried Chicken and Sausage with all the trimmings

$15 per plate

Public invited!

Hand-Pieced Quilt Drawing

254-778-1824

Available for Sale: Homemade Food Items

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