Telegraf. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1909-1951, 1946-10-18

a silnym, zdravym duchem il
telem. Tot mas 1kol, smer a
ell.
Address of Brother Rosner
at the First Gymnastic Exhibi-
tion presented under the aus
pices of the Czechoslovak A
merican Center at the Pythian
Temple in Washington, D. c.
on Sunday, October 9, 1916, by
the combined Sokol Gymnastic
Units of Maryland:
1t is pleasure to be here to-
day, and a source of inspira-
tion to witness another exhibit
ton of Sokol achievement.
Reminiscent of many festivals
which always climax and
crown a long and patient pc
riod of preparation, they
bring back fond memories of
the colorful past of this illus
trious organization. Now that
the war has ended, we have
again been fortunate in assem-
bling, and presenting to our
fraternity, and friends along
the Eastern Seaboard and else
where, the results of training
and hard work. Beginning with
an indoor festival at Baltimore
early last spring, where a
number of members were pre-
sented with 5O-year medals,
for their lifelong loyalty and
dynamic activity, continuing
with the 25th anniversary of
the Curtis Bay chapter, and
followed by the splendid festi-
val at Belcamp, it is an honor
to have representative groups
of various units present an ex-
hibition on this occasion, in the
capitol city of this nation.
An event of this kind should
truly familiarize and acquaint
our friends with the aims and
ends for which the Sokol orga-
nization is striving. Founded
in 1862 at Praha by DR.. Miro
slav Tyrs, with the aid of jim
drich Fuegner, and 72 enthu-
siasts, it soon spread among
all corners Of the country, and
found followers and members
from all walks of life. The in
tention of the founders was to
elevate the people to a higher
level of harmonious develop
ment. based on the ideal of "a
sound mind in a healthy body"
The name Sokol adopted as
the symbol of this organization
means falcon, which is a bird
noted for it's swiftness, alert
ness, and strength. In build
ing up their body, the Sokols
learn cooperation, and strive
to subject their petty indivi-
dual interests to the higher in
terests of the group, the ma
ton. and humanity at large.
Life to them is a sequence of
positive actions, indicative of
never failing march forward.
Sokols strive to develop and
enrich themselves by such vir-
tues as: progressive activity,
sobriety, courage, capabilitv
of self-defense, self-denial for
a higher purpose, self-control,
promptness, trustworthiness,
and sincerity.
From earliest infancy, the
members of the Sokol family
are striving for the Hottest i
deals of humanity.
It was the Sokol spirit and
training, which was the fund
amental and driving force be-
hind the organization of the
Czechoslovak legions in the
first world war, and of the
Czechoslovak Army in gene
raj.
On the date of the procla-
nation of independence, Ccto-
Der 18th, 1913 - % years a.
go, it was the Sokol organiza-
ton, which was ready in force
to take over the interim GO
vernment in Praha, to super
wise law and order all over the
country, and it was the first to
organize units of the National
Guard for that purpose, which
was later changed into the re-
gular Czechoslovak Army.
What memories are brought
back by the gigantic, magnifi-
cent festivals held every six
years in Praha, at which tens
of thousands of members drill
simultaneously before audi
ences of hundred thousands.
Ten years after the establish
want &c +hic o0xyovooo~4 - Dr.