Magyar News, 2003. szeptember-2004. augusztus (14. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2003-11-01 / 3. szám
Memories of 1956 and of today Our Excursion to Hegyeshalom, by Judit Vasmatics Paotini Judit Vasmatics Paolini, Antal Konrad and Michael Vasmatics at Hegyeshalom Dreams. Some we achieve quickly; others are forever present patiently waiting and quietly beckoning. Our trip to Hungary this summer was just that—a dream after oh so many years finally fulfilled! My brother's dream was to someday return to Hungary for a visit and mine was to visit the city of Hegyeshalom. Though I have been to Hungary many times as an adult, I just never quite had the opportunity to spend some time there and reminisce about that fall day in 1956—when my mom and dad with five young children found sanctuary during the day and at night spent three hours struggling to cross the border into Austria. Why was this dream so import to me; why was it also on Michael's to do list? The answer is actually not at all complex; it is the need to validate the mind’s simple recollections and put them into a proper perspective. I was always so amazed that my Dad did not get lost as we crossed the border from Hungary into Austria. My perception of the border crossing was that we had covered a lot of ground; after all, were we not walking for approximately three hours in forestal terrain? I was in my late teens when—one day as mom and I were talking- I discovered that under ideal conditions the same journey could be accomplished in about twenty or thirty minutes for the distance we covered was actually quite short! I have always known that the real challenge as we made our escape was not getting caught; however, I was an adult when I realized that not getting lost was not at all a challenge for my dad! During our trip to Hegyeshalom this summer, I had the opportunity to see it for myself and discover what others have known all along; Austria can actually be seen from Hegyeshalom. So, why did it take us three hours to cross the border? That fall, November night in 1956, as we made our escape the evening was bitter cold; the terrain was wet and muddy. At one point we would take just one step; if we were very quick we managed to take two. Then we would squat and wait for the flares to pass before we could get up and take the next step. Furthermore, since the land was so muddy, many times our shoes sank in the mud slowing our pace with every step. By anyone's perception, crossing the border was a seemingly endless, arduous process. Then what we feared the most happened! Suddenly, without warning we were at gun point. I was absolutely petrified of gettingshot and dying; I have no doubt my brothers and sisters were equally terrified! The five of us were quite young-Michael who was the oldest was only nine; I was seven and the oldest girl; Roza was six; Katalin was four; and the youngest was Miklós who was barely three. However, despite our young tender age none of us cried or said a word; we were quite aware of the gravity of the situation. Dad was incredibly brave! He talked to the two young Hungarian soldiers calling them "taknyos gyerekek" meaning "snot nosed kids" and convinced them not only to let us go but managed to obtain some useful information for crossing the border. War has a way of forcing boys to be men before their time. Today I realize what my dad clearly understood upon seeing those two soldiers; they were but children themselves! In contrast, our day trip to Hegyeshalom this summer was quite pleasant; a bright sun set a vivacious tone as it gazed upon us. Our cousin Antal drove us from Budapest; seated up front was my brother Michael—no longer a nine year old boy , but a man in his prime traveling with his daughter Sandy. She was sitting beside me in the back video taping our whole adventure! Also, traveling with us was my husband George for I too have matured! The scenery along the way was absolutely charming as we spied quaint villages, lovely fields of sunflowers, and delightful rolling hills. Some dreams may take a life time but are eventually achieved as long as the flame of desire is burning. At last, after so many years, Michael and I brought our dream to fruition. Upon arriving to Hegyeshalom we discovered that the old railroad station had been replaced by a new one which was constructed at a slightly different spot. So we made a few inquiries and were apprised that a flower garden was planted on the previous site which was only a few feet away. Once Michael and I Judit finally found behind the bushes the windows she so vividly remembered Page 3
