May 26-28, 2007

Ambassador Visits Civil Rights Sites, Pays Tribute to Fallen Soldiers in Birmingham

Ambassador András Simonyi and Mrs. Náda P. Simonyi visited Birmingham, Alabama from May 26 through May 28, visiting the historic sites of the civil rights movements, meeting local Hungarians, and paying tribute to US soldiers fallen since 9/11 on Memorial Day.
 

In Birmingham the Ambassador and his wife first visited Sixteenth Street Baptist Church where they attended a Sunday service and met with Rev. Arthur Price. After the church service, they talked to Carolyn McKinstry, a survivor of the 1963 church bombing in which she lost four of her best friends and which shook up the nation. Ambassador and Mrs. Simonyi then were given a tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

Ambassador Simonyi and the Rev. Arthur Price

Ambassador András Simonyi and Mrs. Náda P. Simonyi in Sixteenth Street Baptist Church

Carolyn McKinstry talking to the Ambassador and his wife

The delegation visited the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame where Ambassador Simonyi was greeted by Frank "Doc"Adams, an inductee in the Jazz Hall of Fame. The Ambassador had the chance to jam with Rickey Powell and his backband after the tour of the museum.

Ambassador Simonyi and Frank "Doc" Adams

Ambassador Simonyi playing the guitar with Rickey Powell and his backband

The Ambassador’s delegation met with the Birmingham Hungarian Committee in Village Tavern on the Summit. Guests at the dinner also included alumni of the exchange program of Birmingham Southern College with Kodolányi College in Székesfehérvár, Hungary. The participants of this exchange program spend one academic year in Székesfehérvár teaching English language to Hungarian students.

One of the highlights of the visit was the Gold Star Salute and Rose Laying Ceremony in the American Village in Montevallo, Alabama. In the Chapel, the first rose at the base of the "Fallen Comrades" Memorial was laid by Congressman Bachus on behalf of The United States. The second rose was laid by Ambassador Simonyi on behalf of the Hungarian people. The names of the 87 soldiers from Alabama who have lost their lives since September 11, 2001, were read out while family members laid their roses at the memorial. Marynell Winslow, a member of Gold Star Mothers, wrote the moving introductory song performed at the memorial service, called "Ryan's Song", which is a tribute to her son, Ryan, who died in Iraq. The Gold Star Salute and Rose Laying Ceremony were followed by a Closing Ceremony outside the Chapel at Liberty Bell. Chaplain Harrison "Hack" Lloyd gave his benediction. Congressman Bachus delivered a speech, underlining the importance of remembering together those who have died for freedom. He introduced Ambassador Simonyi as the representative of Hungary, a staunch ally of the U.S. in the struggles for freedom. The Ambassador greeted the audience and expressed the solidarity of the Hungarian people with the American people in the fight for liberty and democracy all over the world. The reenactment of the Iwo Jima flag raising by the US Marine Corp League closed the ceremony.

Ambassador Simonyi and Congressman Bachus

Families of fallen Alabama soldiers remembering their lost ones

Thomas G. Walker, Jr., Executive Director of The American Village,  Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus, III, Ambassador András Simonyi, Mrs. Náda Simonyi,  Rachel A. Clinkscale of Gold Star Wives, Marynell Winslow, a member of Gold Star Mothers (© 2007 Bonnie M. Fountain. All rights reserved.)

Ambassador Simonyi greeting the audience during the Closing Ceremony (© 2007 Bonnie M. Fountain. All rights reserved.)

Mrs. Náda P. Simonyi and Ambassador András Simonyi giving an interview to NBC13, with Press Attaché Zoltán Fehér standing by (© 2007 Bonnie M. Fountain. All rights reserved.)