ClevelandPeople.Com


American Nationalities Movement of Ohio's
56th annual Captive Nations Dinner
July 20, 2017

In the early months of 1959 US Senator from Ohio Frank J. Lausche and Congressman Michael Feighan had submitted the Joint Congressional Resolution 111 authorizing the United States President to issue the “Captive Nations ‘Week” Proclamation. That resolution condemned the aggressive Soviet policies that had caused the subjugation of many ‘captive’ nations to harsh communist regimes. Then Cleveland Councilman Ralph J. Perk responded to Senator Lausche’s and Congressman Feighan’s request for support by bringing together a bi-partisan coalition of ethnic organizations that contacted nationality leaders all over the country and urged them to work for passage of Resolution 111. It took place on July 17, 1959 and was then signed by President Eisenhower.

The Resolution encouraged annual Presidential Proclamations focused on the plight of the captive nations with suggested appropriate ceremonies to be held every third week in July.

In 1990, the American Nationalities Movement held the first “freedom Celebration” and awarded “freedom” medals to its steadfast supporters including one to President George H. W. Bush.

See more of the American Nationalities Movement

The 56th annual Captive Nations Dinner was held July 20, 2017. Judge Ralph Perk Jr. is president of the ANM and served as Master of Ceremonies.

Judge Ralph Perk Jr.

Judge Ralph Perk Jr.

After dinner, Judge Perk introduced Irene Morrow who gave a tribute to the late Judge Raymond Pianka.

NOTE: All the images below with a white arrow in the middle are videos. (The other images are just photos) You can click on the white arrow to watch the video of whatever is described. Make sure your speakers are on and you can make the video full screen once it begins by clicking the icon in the lower right corner.



Irene Morrow

Irene Morrow

Judge Perk mentioned 2 notable deaths from the group: Andreas Traks from the Estonian community and Chester Partyka from the Polish community.



Judge Perk then told how every president including current President Trump has signed the Captive Nations Resolution. Congressman Charles Vanik, Senator Frank Lausche and Mayor Ralph Perk started the Captive Nations movement.



Judge Ralph Perk Jr. introduced Terrence J. Smith for a special presentation. Mr. Smith gave a recreation of Ronald Reagan's June 12, 1987 speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Germany. Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.



Terrence J. Smith

Terrence J. Smith


Then Judge Ralph Perk Jr. and Irene Morrow presented the Freedom Award posthumously to J.J. Vencl of Corlett Movers at the American Nationalities Movement of Ohio's 56th annual Captive Nations Dinner. J.J.'s wife Kathleen accepted the award for him.

Irene Morrow, Ralph Perk Jr. and Kathleen Vencl

Irene Morrow, Ralph Perk Jr. and Kathleen Vencl



Irene Morrow, Ralph Perk Jr. and Kathleen Vencl

Irene Morrow, Kathleen Vencl and Ralph Perk Jr.

Irene Morrow, Kathleen Vencl and Ralph Perk Jr.

Next, the Freedom Award was presented to attorney Lt. Colonel Joseph Meissner. Meissner was a Green Beret in Vietnam and leads the Friendship Foundation of American Vietnamese.

Irene Morrow, Joe Meissner and Ralph Perk Jr.

Irene Morrow, Joe Meissner and Ralph Perk Jr.



Joe Meissner

Joe Meissner


Joe Meissner speech

Joe Meissner called up Toan Huynh who has been a Cleveland school teacher for the last 36 years. During the Vietnam War, Huynh was kept prisoner in a communist concentration camp and he warned of the evils of communism.

Toan Huynh

Toan Huynh




Toan Huynh


Joe Meissner called up Gia Hoa Ryan and Oanh Loi-Powell to tell about the new Vietnamese Cultural Garden in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens chain.

Gia Hoa Ryan

Gia Hoa Ryan




Oanh Loi-Powell

Oanh Loi-Powell


It was fitting that J.J. Vencl and Joseph Meissner were honored with the Freedom Award.

American Nationalities Movement Freedom Awards

American Nationalities Movement Freedom Awards


Enjoy these other images from the evening.

Crowd at Captive Nations dinner

Crowd at Captive Nations dinner


Ralph Perk Jr. and Terrence J. Smith

Ralph Perk Jr. and Terrence J. Smith


George McCarthy, President of the Friendship Foundation

George McCarthy, President of the Friendship Foundation


Faris Alameh and Sam Tanious

Faris Alameh and Sam Tanious


Joe Meissner and Pierre Bejjani

Joe Meissner and Pierre Bejjani


Erika and Aavo Puussaar

Erika and Aavo Puussaar


Mary Bejjani and Mrs and Tony Abdulkarim

Mary Bejjani and Mrs and Tony Abdulkarim


Ralph Perk with Joe Meissner's book

Ralph Perk with Joe Meissner's book


Renata and David Jakupca

Renata and David Jakupca


Abby Mina at the CAMEO table

Abby Mina at the CAMEO table


Friends and family of honoree Joe Meissner

Friends and family of honoree Joe Meissner


***

Want to learn about ethnic and cultural events in Cleveland such as this? Sign up for the free eNews and every Tuesday evening you will receive a free e-mail listing the next week's events. It's easy and free.

Select 'WEEKLY' when you fill out the form for the free weekly eNews.


***



Top of Page

Back to ClevelandPeople.Com Community and Special Events

















Stay informed about the news and special events of the Group(s) you choose by signing up for the free ClevelandPeople.Com e-newsletter




Visit our On-line Store featuring Books, DVDs, Music, Flags, Clothes, Food and more from our various ethnic groups.





Want to reach one or more ethnic groups with your products, services or message? Contact us for sponsorship and advertising opportunities at info@ClevelandPeople.Com


Follow ClevelandPeople on Twitter or ClevelandPeople on Facebook







If you are interested in hi-res photos or videos from this event (or any other) please contact us




















 Copyright © 2017
      Magnum Computers Inc.