John, Alma, Johnny and Myra

Destination Freedom. Listen, it's the Freedom Bell. It's the Freedom Bell, my friend. And this is Paul Revere, called back from the shadows by the sound of the Freedom Bell to cry again a warning. That the price of freedom is eternal vigilance.

Destination Freedom is presented by Station WMAQ in the interest of human freedom the world over. Paul Revere is the symbol of warning. ready to ride down the skies the shallows along. His destination now and forever.

Freedom. Today on the eve of this year of crisis, I have a true story to tell. It is the story of John, Alma, Johnny, and Mara. These are their given names. Their last name must remain anonymous for obvious reasons.

I visited John and his family the other night with an interpreter. You see John and his family are Latvian, displaced persons, who've come to America this year, 1950. Tonight, John, Almer, Johnny, and Marah celebrate their first new year in America.

To look at them, you would never think their lives had been in danger yet. In Latvia, in August 1939, when our story begins, certain diplomats were celebrating the signing of an infamous treaty, the Treaty of Non-aggression, and mutual assistance between Latvia and the Soviet Union.

John, what's that? The Russians are blasting again, Alma. It's only dynamite. Do not worry, Alma. Blasting? Why? For bomb shelters, gun emplacements. They'll wake our baby. What should I tell you? I know, Alma, but we could do nothing about it. Just make the best of it.

The best of it? They've been here only three weeks, and this province is rocking as the La Volcano receiving in our midst. See who it is, John. I have to comfort the baby. All right, I'm all right.