A group of members and friends of the Washington Estonian Society met on the afternoon of September 22nd 2019 at the Monument to Victims of Communism to mark the passage of 75 years since Estonians, along with German troops fled the country by ships to escape on-rushing Soviet Army.
A handful of speakers addressed the twenty or so who braved unseasonable 90+ degree heat in the nation’s capitol at the intersection of two of the city’s busiest avenues. The principal guests were Triinu Rajasalu of the Estonian Embassy, who spoke of her experiences with Estonian emigres of WWII in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the UK. Her remarks were touching, as it was clear she was moved by those in all the above countries who survived the 1944 experience.
The other most important speaker was Ago Ambre, who told his story of escape as a 14-year-old, severely injured in an accident and cared for by his mother and grandmother, who had to weigh the risks of further injury in the escape against the risks of being taken by the Soviets.
Ago’s was a powerful and moving story that brought into sharp relief the experiences of all those who survived. They were especially meaningful to me, who, as a two-month-old, could hardly be expected to remember the trials of the period. Knowledge of these experiences depended on my mother’s stories, as I have described in other posts in this blog under the category “Memories-Parents“. I took the opportunity to offer my perspective on the experience, thinking, as he did, of the heroism of my mother as I have here–and adding that the monument can as easily speak to victims of tyranny anywhere, at anytime, and under whatever name it may have.
Touching and welcome too, were the comments of a second generation Estonian-American and a millennial third-generation Estonian. The event closed with the placement of a bouquet of flowers at the base of the monument.
Given that I was born in August of the year of the emigration, this remembrance was a kind of solemn birthday event.
Can we meet sometime?
I’d love to Ago. I will email you separately.
To the extent you feel appropriate, Andy, I would be delighted to read what you and Ago shared. I have a feeling you may learn just how courageous your mother really was. She has been loved and admired by me since I learned how she brought you to the USA.
Semper Fidelis and Admirer Marine, My BEST, Joe
Joe, Thank you. I am asking Ago for permission to post his remarks here, and as soon as I get it, I’ll post for all to read. As you can imagine, it is a hard read. Thanks again, Semper fi. Andy
Andy,
As I read your 75th Anniversary posting and the summary of
Ago’s escape I of course tried to imagine, but really could not, the details, the dangers, the fears, the uncertainties of the escape. And now there is Ago’s posting with the details, the dangers, the fears, the uncertainties. Yet, I am still unable to comprehend how terrifying the experience must have been for so many. For most of us, the entire experience is often just a foot note in a history text which does little if anything to recount the human tragedy. Thank you and Ago for helping to make a record of the bravery and determination of so many to escape to safety in the face of insurmontable obstacles.
Thank you, Bob. And in the background is the knowing that so many other mothers and their children have experienced similar experiences in the decades since Ago’s and my stories unfolded.