American Serb History 101

It was 1948 when she wrote the SERBIANISM piece found below. 

       Helen Delich Bentley wasn't a U.S. Congresswoman yet.  Nor at the time of this writing would we know that she would eventually be honored by hundreds of people in attendance at the 300th Anniversary of the Port of Baltimore GALA or that at that special occasion, would she receive flowers from the Governor of the State  Bob Ehrlich, and the incredible acknowledgment that henceforth the nearby waterways would be called THE HELEN DELICH BENTLEY PORT OF BALTIMORE!  How honored I was to be present for that special occasion where Helen served as the Chairman for the Port of Baltimore Tricentennial Committee.

How thrilled ALSO I was to find this piece of information written in the March/Arpil 1948 issue of my father's AMERICAN-SERB LIFE magazine.

An excellent U.S.Representative, Helen has always been true-blue to her American-Serb roots too.  She was present at the 600th Anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo on Vidovdan in 1989 with 2.2-3 million other people including us folks from the Pittsburgh/Cleveland area and the California and Canada folks too. 

Here's Helen in 1948, and if you speak to most other American-Serbs now, 60+ years later, they'll proudly say the information below is STILL TRUE!

"I've spent a good deal of time in the past several years tying to define Serbianism.  But I still can't.

Of course many ideas have occurred to me, but none have satisfied me.  So far I can only characterize Serbianism.

For instance, Serbianism can be synonymous with fighting for the right, or what we believe is right, with every possible breath.

Then it can mean giving whole-heartedly of whatever you have to help one who needs it.

Or it may be simply sharing whatever you have with everyone; or sticking with him, come hell or high water; Or the guslar spirit, where your cards are stacked for you.

It might be a determination to fight doggedly on, as the Serbs did when the Turks tried to master them, and as they probably will again before this century is out.

Or a fiery spirit and flaming temperament.

Perhaps it is none of these.  Or perhaps it is all of them rolled into one.

Serbianism is too big a thing to be able to toss aside lightly with a definition of one or two words.

I've watched this Serbianism in action from the West Coast to the East Coast.  
Whatever it is, it's the same everywhere.

You come to the door of a Serbian home.
You're welcomed with open arms, even though they have never seen you before.

The table is spread with strudel, sarma, kuspa y meso, and other favorite dishes.
Rakija and wino are brought forth in abundance.  You are to make yourself at home.

It can be no other way.  If it is, your host feels he has slipped up somewhere.
It's both a disgrace and dishonor for a guest to be dissatisfied in the home of a Serb.

The one thing common to all the age groups is the air of friendliness.
Smiles wreath their faces.  Smiles light their eyes.  ALL welcome you.

Your heart fills up with "before and after" thoughts.
Your joy bubbles over as you hear Serbian words floating around you again.

Maybe all of this is Serbianism.  I don't know.
As I said before, I can't define it.

All I know is that I'm proud of being a Serb.
And no matter where I go, I can count on a Serb making me feel "I'm home---and "alive."

BEAUTIFUL, WONDERFUL! 

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3 Phoenix Serb Beauties!

 Internet Flowers for you, Helen!

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Helen Delich Bentley shares the precious items she inherited many, many years ago from her beloved +parents at the SNF Convention in Windsor, Canada, 2007

 Medals, pinbacks, King Alexander of Yugoslavia memorial necklace pieces, Serbian Society badge  and the black ribbon worn for funerals.  This one is of the Lika and Krbava Svetog Spasitela.

Srpsko Provosl. Bratstvo Lika i Krbava Svetog Spasitela = Serbian Orthodox Brotherhood of Lika and Krbava Holy Guardian/Saviour .....  

Note the 4 C's surrounding the cross.  CCCC in Cyrillic or in English, SSSS = Samo Sloga Srbina Spasova or "ONLY UNITY SAVES THE SERBS!"    

Also note the crossed American and Serbian flags atop the badge pin. This same custom of displaying the dual identity of being a good American without losing your Serbian identity is still frequently seen today.  

However, note the spelling of Serbian.  During WWI the country was known as Servia, so this is a SERVIAN society.  

Fact is that Servia/Serbia was loved so much, there was even a huge Ship named the S.S. Servia.  You can find information on this ship at the Ellis Island Immigration Center records.

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Update:  Dec. 20, 2010

Via a Christmas Card,, I learned that Helen turned 87 this year and is still working as a lobbyist.  She says it keeps her brain alert and her body moving around.  She was named "Industrialist of the Year" by the Baltimore Museum of Industry on whose board she sits.  She also sits on the board of the Pride of Baltimore II, Baltimore's promotion clippen ship which she christened in 1988, taking seven swings on that oe because they failed to score the bottle! 

What a wonderful role model she has been and continues to be for all of us!  Sve najbolje, Helen!

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(Helen is the baby on her mother's knee in Ely, Nevada, born in 1923)

Happy 90th Birthday, Helen Delich Bentley!

On November 17, 2013, over 500 of Helen's relatives and friends helped her celebrate her 90th birthday at the National Historic Landmark, the old Platt Oyster Cannery buiilding, now the Baltimore Museum of Industry (since 1977), located at  1415 Key Highway, in Baltimore, MD, by the NW branch of the Patapsco River.   Two former Governors of Maryland (Robert Erlich, Jr. and Marvin Mandel_ and many U.S. Congressional figures including Senator Barbara Mikuski, Senator Paul Sarbanes, Reps. Steny Hoyer, C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberge and John Sarbanes, and Elijah Cummings, joined in the exciting tribute to a woman who has done so much for America, and especially the Maritime Industry as a journalist, TV documentarian, legislator and consultant.  

(Helen's real birth date is Nov. 28t)

Helen D. Bentley served the 2nd District in Congress from 1985 to 1995, but her focus was always on the Port of Baltimore, where the public terminals are named after her.

Helen was he maritime editor of the Baltimore Sun, head of the Federal Maritime Commission, and is still working as a port consultant.  It was due to Helen's foresight and lobbying, the speakers said, that Baltimore is one of the most recognized ports in the world, so that even the largest ships coming through the Panama Canal could dock in Baltimore.

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 The speeches went on too long, didn't have a chance to present this:

Helen Delich Bentley, Serbian Super Woman

By Milana (Mim) Karlo Bizic

November 17, 2013, Baltimore Museum of Industry 

In 1948, Helen wasn’t a U.S. Congresswoman yet.  Nor did we know then that she would be honored in 2004 for the 300^th Anniversary of the Port of Baltimore Gala where she received flowers from Governor Erhlich and the incredible acknowledgement that henceforth the nearby waterways would be called The Helen Delich Bentley Ports of Baltimore.  How honored I was to be there for that incredible occasion.

Our adventurous, achievement-oriented Helen has been an inspiration, always leading others to new skills and getting them out of their comfort zones.  She never practiced the “Good Enough” theory, but lived a thrilling tapestry of life, making a difference in other people’s lives, challenging others to follow her lead.  She has been a motivator who always walked the talk, and she has stayed true to her values.

 An excellent United States Representative, she has nevertheless stayed true-blue to her American-Serb roots too.  Twenty four years ago, on June 28, 1989,  Congresswoman Helen, my sister Dr. Rose Gantner and I were present at the 600^th Anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo on Vidovdan, along with 3 million other Serbs, when our own government refused to acknowledge the importance of this date, and event, and even boycotted it!

 Now, this coming June 28, 2014 will be a special time in Philadelphia, marking the 625^th Anniversary of the Battle of Kosovo.  There will be a celebration acknowledging the great contributions of 200 years of Serbs in America, starting with George Sagic Fisher who helped Steven Austin and Sam Houston win Texas, and who helped lay the cornerstone of the Washington Monument in our country’s capital.  Along with famous scientists Nikola Tesla and Michael Pupin, for sure, we know there will be information about Helen Delich Bentley and her great deeds on display there.

Congratulations once again to our always electrified, live-wired Helen. 

She will live forever in our hearts and souls! 

She is not at age 90 an elderly woman, but a true ELDER, a custodian of wisdom. 

Our own Sensational, Significant, Successful, Splendid HELEN!  CCCC/SSSS!

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U.S. Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley

and General Draza Mihailovich

(Thanks to Aleksandra Rebic and her website)

Reference: Vol. 136 No. 36

Unfortunately, however, most of our Nation's citizens do not even know who this brave freedom fighter for democracy was.

Perhaps more telling than anything else about General Mihailovich is the fact that he was the bitter enemy of both the Nazi occupiers of Yugoslavia during World War II and the dictatorial Communist government of Broz Tito who ruled Yugoslavia after the war.

It was Tito's government that was eventually responsible for the mock trialin a kangaroo court that culminated in the execution of General Mihailovich.

What better day is there than this one to remember why President Trumanposthumously awarded the Legion of Merit Award to General Mihailovich?

While World War II was raging in central Europe, over 500 American airmen were shot down behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia.

These men were rescued, protected, and returned to safety by the freedom-fighting Chetnik forces under the command of Draza Mihailovich, whoseforces fought first against the Nazi occupiers and then against the Communist forces that held sway over Yugoslavia.

I would like to quote from a letter sent to me recently from Maj. Richard L.Felman, U.S. Air Force, retired. Major Felman was one of these American airmen whose life was saved by General Mihailovich.

Major Felman includes in his letter a public thank you to General Mihailovich, saying, "Thank you, General Mihailovich, for saving the lives of over 500 of our boys while they were serving in the defense of our country. No one else has ever done that and we as a people and a nation are mighty grateful!"

Mr. Speaker, Major Felman is indeed correct in stating that no one has done so courageous a deed for American soldiers behind enemy lines as Gen. Draza Mihailovich.

When President Truman awarded General Mihailovich the Legion of Merit Award on March 29, 1948, the brave general was already dead.

Mr. Speaker, we have only recently been able to officially confirm this highhonor bestowed upon the general. This information became available after the records in the National Archives were opened to the public 40 years after the end of World War II. Here is a copy of the award on the front cover of a Serbian publication "Pogledi."

LEGION OF MERIT CHIEF COMMANDER

General Dragoljub Mihailovich distinguished himself in an outstanding manner as Commander-in-Chief of the Yugoslavian Army Forces and later as Minister of War by organizing and leading important resistance forces against the enemy which occupied Yugoslavia, from December 1941 to December 1944. Through the undaunted efforts of his troops, many United States airmen were rescued and returned safely to friendly control. General Mihailovich and his forces, although lacking adequate supplies, and flighting under extreme hardships, contributed materially to the Allied cause, and were instrumental in obtaining a final Allied Victory.

Harry S. Truman
March 29, 1948.

General Mihailovich was tried and executed by Communist authorities on the grounds that he collaborated with the Nazis during the war.

The American airmen who were under the general's protection knew that this was a patent lie, and had the evidence to disprove it.

Not only did the Yugoslav Communist government refuse the American airmen permission to come testify, but they also disallowed any use of their written testimony altogether.

Over 600 pages of sworn testimony by American airmen were presented by our State Department to the general's legal counsel, and thrown out at his trial.

Mr. Speaker, a great injustice has been done against the name of DrazaMihailovich. But time has proved what our boys, shot down in Nazi-occupied Yugoslavia, knew all along.

General Mihailovich was both a Yugoslav patriot and freedom fighter, not the traitor that the Communists executed him as.

[*H1342] I urge all Members of Congress to join me in commemorating thelife of Gen. Draza Mihailovich on this very special anniversary.

Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Illinois, [Mr. Crane].

"General Dragoljub Mihailovich distinguished himself in an outstanding manner as Commander-in-Chief of the Yugoslavian Army Forces and later as Minister of  War by organizing and leading important resistance forces against the enemy which occupied Yugoslavia, from December 1941 to December 1944. Through the undaunted efforts of his troops, many United States airmen were rescued and returned safely to friendly control. General Mihailovich and his forces, although lacking adequate supplies, and fighting under extreme hardships, contributed materially to the Allied cause, and were instrumental in obtaining a final Allied Victory."

Madam Speaker, I would only pause for a moment on this point, having read that citation from President Truman, and, as I say, upon the recommendation of General Eisenhower, to say that our State Department to this day continues to parrot the falsehood that there is not documentation to support the award that was made by President Truman upon the recommendation of General Eisenhower, and since the Soviets have come clean about the Katyn massacre, I think it is about time our State Department comes clean on this issue.

Madam Speaker, the reason for our tribute to General Mihailovich is first and foremost our gratitude to him and the Serbian people for saving the lives of over 500 American airmen. Despite having been betrayed by the Western Allies as a result of a misinformation campaign spearheaded by the Soviet Union, General Mihailovich orchestrated the rescue of those very same men whose governments had turned their backs on him.

At the end of the war, the Committee of American Airmen Rescued by General Mihailovich was established for the purpose of erecting a monument to the general, in Washington, DC, or its environs, in recognition of the role he played in saving the lives of the 500 American airmen. The committee of airmen will finance the project in its entirety, including construction and any subsequent maintenance costs.

In 1974, the airmen petitioned Congress for permission to erect the monument on public land. Legislation to this end has been introduced in every session of Congress since. I have been the chief sponsor since 1984. In the past, the legislation has had as many as 90 cosponsors in the House. Hearings have been held on it, and twice it has been passed in the Senate by voice vote. Although it has the support of such organizations as the AFL-CIO, the American Legion, and the Air Force Association, the debate over how it will be received by the Yugoslav communist government has been a major stumbling block.

The purpose of this ongoing legislative effort is not so much to make amends for a great historical injustice, or to clear General Mihailovich's name, but more simply, to provide retired American servicemen with the opportunity to recognize someone who sacrificed his life to save theirs. After 45 years of delays and inaction, the least we can do is provide these remaining rescued airmen with an adequate means to express their appreciation.

"She has been called the Fighting Lady, because she persists until she gets it done. She's true to her word and doesn't play games. And Helen is one of the most knowledgable people on maritime matters in the entire world. I've been with her on international visits, and was so impressed by the respect shown to her by those in the martime world." -- William Donald Schaefer, former Maryland Governor and Mayor of Baltimore

"Whenever there is a problem in the port, people turn to her to find solutions." -- The Baltimore Sun

(Click on this HELEN BENTLEY website to learn more about her awards and achievements.) 

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 Shorter Info below from PORT OF BALTIMORE site:

The Honorable Helen Delich Bentley’s first career was as a maritime reporter and Maritime Editor at The Sun, where she created the most-respected maritime section in the nation during her 24-year tenure, breaking important national stories through dogged determination and a personal style that made her famous from boardrooms to the docks. Her coverage of the supply problem for America’s war effort in Vietnam led to the institution of containers as the preferred method of cargo transport.

In 1950 she moved into television. Bentley produced, directed, edited, wrote and did interviews for her series, “The Port That Built a City,” and, later, “The Port That Built a City – and State.” Throughout, she still wrote and edited at The Sun. Her focus on the Port of Baltimore intensified both public and government awareness of the Port’s substantial economic impact on Maryland.

From 1969-1975, Bentley served as Chairman of the United States Federal Maritime Commission. At the time, she was the fourth-highest ranking woman in Federal government history.

From 1985-1995, Bentley served in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Maryland’s 2nd Congressional District. While in Congress, she sat on the Appropriations, Budget, Public Works & Transportation and Merchant Marine & Fisheries Committees, in addition to the Steel, Art, Northeast, Human Rights and Trade & Tourism Caucuses.

Since 1995, she has been President and CEO of Helen Bentley & Associates, Inc., specializing in government relations and business development. Bentley is also a consultant to the Maryland Port Administration and a small businesswoman.

Throughout her career, Bentley has tirelessly promoted two primary issues – the advancement of America’s maritime community, and America’s industrial/ manufacturing base.

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What's in the bag, Helen? Treasures, real treasures! 

 Opening the fabled kerchief!

"Wow!  Look at the riches!"

Chicago, 1903

That means this is over 100 years old! 

Thanks for sharing, Helen! 

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Future

Helen Bentleys!

Amelia Bizic, 2012,

Washington, DC

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Maja Plecas, 2013

Chicago, IL

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Jocelyn Bizic, 2013

Houston, TX

FORWARD, LADIES!

Our FUTURE!

Helen helped open

the doors for all of you!

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Photo taken of Helen Delich Bentley's typewriter on display at the Museum of Industry, the one she used while the maritime reporter for the Baltimore Sun.

Helen's extended family came in for the party from all over the USA.

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Dr. Rose Karlo Gantner and sister Milana (Mim) Karlo Bizic of Pittsburgh, former U.S. Congresswoman Helen Delich Bentley, and Stephanie Lalich Adams and her daughter Caroline Lalich Adams, from the Washington, DC area.

Stephanie is the daughter of the famed Nick Lalich, hero of the book THE FORGOTTEN 500 by Gregory Freeman, documenting the incredible rescue of 500 U.S. airmen from behind German-occupied lines in Serbia (Yugoslavia) during WWII.

Nick and Helen were good friends for years before his passing.

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Dan Britza

Shares Story

Reading about Helen Delich Bentley on this website made former Mayor of Aliquippa, PA, Dan Britza, share this story on Saturday, April 14, 2012:

(Aliquippa, PA, but it is a town that is truly hurting, dying from poverty, ever since the Steel Mills closed down in the 1970’s.)

"I just visited your site and read about my friend Helen Delich Bentley.  She looked me up at Kennywood in the '80's because she knew about Aliquippa and found out that I was the Serbian Mayor. She had seen me on CBS Sunday morning and read several articles about us in the New York Times, several national magazines and other TV pieces.

"We had a great conversation and made contact many times after that.

"She brought several members of her Congressional Transportation Committee, including the Chairman from Arkansas, to town and I took them on a tour of the city.

"She even provided the PAT bus.

"Before leaving, she, the Chairman, and I met alone and they both promised help for our community. Within weeks, she got back to me to let me know that a $12 million grant was being prepared for help with our infrastructure.

"We received it and the plan to span 7 years of work mainly replacing streets and the work involved with it.

"I expressed our gratitude many times. She did that and demanded no fanfare which was unheard of in political circles.”

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Helen Delich Bentley passes, August 6, 2016

It was with great regret we learned the passing of one of America's most unique women warriors, a fighter for Justice and Equality and Women's Rights.  She broke the proverbial "glass ceiling" decades ago with all of her notable achievements.

A memorial will be held in Baltimore in October, 2016. Among the crowd is anticipated to be politicians from the highest level, industry colleagues and many of the middle-class and blue-collar workers-all of who cherished her over the years and knew she was a trusted friend to all she met.

Here is a list of just some of thsoe honors she received:

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts, Journalism with honors, University of Missouri, 1944.·

Awarded 10 honorary doctorates:·        

University of Maryland, Doctorate of Laws, 1970·      

University of Portland, Doctorate of Humane Letters, 1972·        

Bryant College, Doctorate of Humane Letters, 1972·

University of Alaska, Doctorate of Laws, 1973·

University of Michigan, Doctorate of Laws, 1974·

Goucher College, Doctorate of Laws, 1979·        

Villa Julie College, Doctorate of Humane Letters, 1986·  

Marine Maritime College (ME), 1991·        

University of Missouri, Award of Honor, 1993·  

University of Baltimore, 1999

AWARDS

Mrs. Bentley’s numerous national and international honors and awards include:·

Containerization & Intermodal Institute’s CONNIE Award·        

USS AOTOS Award, 1971·        

International Maritime Hall of Fame, 2004·  

Governor’s International Leadership Award, World Trade Center Institute, 2006·        

Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers: Life time Honorary Member, 1969·        

Navy League of the United States, Robert Thompson Award, 1973·        

United Kingdom Chamber of Shipping - London, England, Annual Dinner Honoree, 1973·  

Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers - New York, Jerry Land Medal Recipient, 1974·  

Council of American Masters Mariners, Life Member, 1975·    

American Security Council, National Security Leadership Award, 1987·

National Propeller Club - Washington, DC, Maritime Industry Salute to Congress, 1987·        

New York Foreign Freight, Forwarders & Brokers Association, recognition plague, 1972·        

Marine Society of New York, Honorary Member, 1985