The Lithuanians: July 4 - And Now We Are In America. How Lucky am I

I turned two on July 1, 1944. On July 4, 1944 my Mother, my Father and I left Lithuania as the Soviets were about to invade Lithuania.

We fled West to seek Freedom and Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

A few months later [picture] we arrived in Salzburg, Austria. Then in October 1948 we emigrated to the United States after patiently waiting. We arrived in New York City on October 30, 1948 and went on to Boston by train.

The next day we came to our final destination, West Bridgewater. As Uncle John made his last turn on Spring Street, I noticed a large water tower to my right and gasped, "and now we are in America."

It wasn't until that moment, almost three day's after coming to the United States, that the feeling of being FREE and safe hit me.

I was now six years of age.

Sixty six years later after leaving Lithuania and I still get this wonderful feeling on July 4.

Freedom is not FREE - "and we are still in America." How Lucky am I.

The Lithuanians
http://www.thelithuanians.com/