MCHS Genealogy Society:

“Journey For Freedom”

By Author Peter Vodenka

Monday, June 11th– 6:30 PM  

Museum Meeting Room

$5 for adults, kids under 12 yrs. are Free

My name is Peter Vodenka.  In June of 1983, my wife and I, along with our four-year old daughter and two-year old son, defected from behind the Iron Curtain of communist Czechoslovakia. In the middle of a cold, rainy night, we ran for our lives across the border from communist Yugoslavia to western Austria while being chased by guards with automatic weapons.  We had spent ten years planning our escape. We had not told our families of our plan, and left them and everything we owned behind.

We arrived at our new home on September 7, 1983. We spoke no English and had no idea what we would do to survive. One week later I started my first job working for a local pig farmer earning minimum wage of $3.35 an hour.  Today, I am the proud owner of successful construction company. My wife Lilly works for a prominent medical facility. Our daughter, Patty, graduated from college with a degree in graphic design, and our son, Peter, joined the US Marines, and was in the first wave of  soldiers marching into Baghdad. Since the 9/11 tragedy, I have felt strongly that Americans need to be reminded how lucky they are to be FREE, since I know what it is like to live under an oppressive government.

From the dream of a boy, longing for freedom in a foreign country, to living free in America and calling the American Flag MY FLAG and the Star Spangled Banner MY ANTHEM.

This is the ultimate version of the American dream! This story combines all the basic components: hope, danger, children, struggles for freedom, a new beginning, hard work and success.  Please join us for this unique program by the McLeod County Genealogy Society!