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Volume 21

Can You Stop The Wind?

An Autobiography

Copyright © Leslie Vertes


Dedications to three very special Ladies:

To my mother, Ilona (Weinberger) Winkler...
Who brought me to this world and taught me what's right and what's wrong.
Who instilled in me, that in life not everything is black and white.
Who trained me to judge every person in a positive way.

To my wife, Vera (Neiser) Vertes...
Who has been my partner in good and adverse times, created a family and warmth of a home.
Who made me a better person and became my best friend.
Who guided me to recognize the real meaning of love, understanding, respect and appreciation.

To my only granddaughter, Jaclyn Emily Vertes...
Who is one of the tangible proofs of my destination in this troubled world. She is my hope that our family's history will continue, and my Autobiography will not end with the last page

To sum up: - The legacy will live on from generation to generation.


Abstract

Author is born on February 18, 1924 in Ajak, a small Hungarian village. Gives summary account of modern Hungarian history, and a genealogy of both parentsÕ families. Describes early education and boyhood friendships in Kisvarda. Family moves to Budapest in 1937. Employed in a shoe manufacturing factory. Relates troubled relationship with father. Hungarian government orders all males to participate in para-military units. Author works in a volunteer fire brigade. Describes living conditions in 1944, and tells of his induction into labour camp. With entry of the Red Army, he and friends escape and he assumes a new identity. Arrested by the Red Army and sent to labour camp. Describes transport to Ploesti in Romania and the conditions he meets there, including an account of work in a limestone quarry. Later works on construction projects. Describes an interrogation with the KGB and treatment from Russian officers. Detailed description of his personal health and the care shown by female Russian doctor. Spends two years in Russian camps and is released in June, 1947.

Returns to Budapest and learns the fate of his family. Describes the post-war conditions and is reunited with family. Resumes his education and becomes supervisor of leather shoe-making factory and an administrator of technical societies. Meets his future wife whom he marries and they have a son. Account of the 1956 Hungarian uprising and plans for escaping to Austria and the West. Meets with difficulties but ultimately reaches Austria. Describes the conditions of the Austrian refugee camps. Receives visa to Canada and emigrates to Montreal. Gives a full description of refugee adjustment to Canada, including employment and housing difficulties. Tells the story of family development and personal advance and of the friendships he encountered. Concludes with literary acknowledgement to family and friends.


Key Words

Hungary
Ajak
Kisvarda
Budapest
Red Army
KGB
Russian labour camp
Arrow Cross
Cegled
, Hungarian city
Ploesti, Romanian city
Kursk
Kiev
Debrecen
Tata
Austria
Andau
Montreal, Canada.

 

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