TO WAR SURVIVE

About the Book

Two orphans escape from their torched home in a small village. The village—its history, language, and culture—has left an indelible impression with me. So much of the sentiment I have for this region of Poland spin around, for a lack of a better word, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. Thousands were forcibly removed from their ancestral lands to live in another country. Each seems to harbour a sense of sadness buried somewhere inside. Melancholy? A feeling of pensive sadness? Perhaps. Even Ukraine’s national anthem seems to reflect this sadness. The concept of the Soviet Union was built over many different territories and a number of national identities. Powerful nations fought to conquer either Poland or Ukraine, thus laying the foundation for many divisions. History can divide us or we can use it to unite people. It is best to come to grips with the past before embracing a vision for the future.

About the Author

Steven Kashuba is a first-generation Canadian of Ukrainian-Polish heritage. As a youngster, he often heard his father talk about his time in the Austrian Infantry during World War I. A firm disciplinarian, his father liked to explain how his character was shaped by military training. Curiously, he rarely talked about the family he left behind. This, more than anything else, acted as a catalyst for Steven’s interest in family. While serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force in Germany, he set out in search of family in the Soviet Union—an interest that remains with him to this day. Over the years, he undertook a number of trips to Europe and uncovered something that perhaps even his parents did not know. The aftermath of World War II left behind millions of orphans. He was shocked to discover that in 1944 his father’s cousin and his wife were murdered, leaving behind two infant children. This raised an important question, were those two orphans living today? If so where? The answers to these and other perplexing questions are found in this story. Steven, the author of Once Lived a Village and Destination Gulag, continues to be involved in uncovering the rich tapestry of his heritage. Aside from writing and research, much of his time is spent in volunteerism and real estate. As an avid sports enthusiast, you will often find him out on the golf links trying to discover the elusive secrets of the game.