Gathered

Neuhaus Displaced Persons Camp, Germany 1944. Relatives from my Dad's side adjust to camp life.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Settled

Australia, 1956. Some of our relatives who emigrated to Australia have adjusted.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.

Fear-of-Heights Reunion

Germany, about 1947. Dad also saved this postcard issued by the Bavarian Railway.

"Welcome to U.S.A.!"

*     *     *     *     *

Atlantic Ocean, July 2, 1949. This is the last newletter the General Howze issued prior to docking in New York City. My friend Kris's Uncle Al did the artwork and hand lettering for the piece.

Thanks to Kris for making this document available to us.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 66)

Erlangen, Germany, 1946. This woman was one of my Mom's medical-school classmates.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 65)

Probably Schweinfurt, Germany about 1948. This fellow was one of my Dad's scouting buddies.

A Sunny Summer

Schweinfurt, Germany, about 1947. This is a close friend of my paternal Grandmother, Tatjana.

Imagine the beach.

Near Seligenstadt, Germany, 1948. Make the most of the location.

Identification

*     *     *     *     *

*     *     *     *     *

Near Schweinfurt, Germany, February 26, 1949. Dad received this card shortly before he emigrated to the United States.

Traveler's Memento

Frankfurt, Germany, about 1948. Dad saved a stack of postcards from his travels in Germany.

Welcome, Summer

Near Seligenstadt, Germany, 1948. Find your summer spot.

Immigration

The New Zealand National Film Unit presents a 1949 piece about Displaced Persons.

A View of the Displaced Persons Camps

From the "No Home to Go To" Exhibit.

Exchanging Portraits (Part 58)

Seligenstadt, Germany, about 1949. My Mom's friend has a passport photo, and she is ready to emigrate.

Anniversary of the Later Deportations

March 25, 1949.

Here's an (English-language) account of the 1941 deportations. More here.

Committee Meeting

Hanau, Germany, about 1946. My friend Nijole's Dad was leader of the Hanau Displaced Persons Camp. He stands on the right, and his wife stands next to him. Thanks to my friend Nijole for making this photo available to us.

Dedication

Hanau, Germany, about 1946. My friend Nijole has brought a doll to the scouting ceremony.

Thanks to Nijole for making this photo available to us.

Winter Station

Germany, about 1947. Here's another postcard from the Bavarian Railway.

Clinical Education

Erlangen, Germany, about 1946 or 1947. Mom remembers many medical-school clinics in the center of the college town.

An Independence Day "Minejimas"

Today, February 16, is Lithuanian Independence Day. The holiday celebrates Lithuania's independence, in 1918, from the Russian Empire. Now, of course, there is a second Independence Day—a restoration day—marking the day Lithuania broke from the Soviet Union in 1991.

Lithuanians recognize both days. Traditionally, groups host a "Minejimas," or commemoration, filled with speeches, poetry recitations, music, and dancing. 

Here in Madison, Madison-Vilnius Sister Cities, Inc. organized a similar reception. We gathered at the Central Madison Public Library. We ate some goodies (I baked a Trupininis Pyragas), and then Nijole shared a presentation about the history of the Žaibas Dance Group. Žaibas this year celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary.

Madison, Wisconsin, February 14, 2016. The library offered a beautiful room for the gathering.
 

*     *     *     *     *

Nijole created a display featuring items from Žaibas's history (yes, the group danced at a festival in Japan. And in Argentina).
 

*     *     *     *     *

Ah, "[w]e were so much younger then."
 

*     *     *     *     *

We chatted before the program.

*     *     *     *     *

We stood for the Lithuanian National Anthem. No one had an excuse for not knowing the lyrics.

*     *     *     *     *

Nijole began her presentation.
 

*     *     *     *     *

  
Current and former Žaibas dancers rose to applause.
 

*     *     *     *     *

Nijole spoke about the history of folk dancing, especially among the Displaced Persons living in postwar camps. You may have seen this photo earlier.
 

*     *      *     *     *

And this one, too.

*     *     *     *     *

We have a great group!