My Three Countries

Born in Romania, Anna Untch grew up in a community that gave special privileges to Saxons. She spent her childhood working on the family farm and learned German in school. But after World War II, the reparations Germany owed the Soviets were paid in the form of hard labor. Anna, her sisters, and thousands of Germanic people were rounded up at gunpoint and marched to the nearest train station, where boxcars waited to take them to the Soviet bloc. What followed were years of slave labor, starvation, illness and little hope--until a daring escape changed everything.

Sick and emaciated, Anna was sent to East Germany to recuperate. There she found her sister, and together they escaped across the border into the American Zone in West Germany. Barred from returning to their home, they relied on an uncle in the United States to send for them--a bureaucratic process that took two years. But once in America, the young woman from Romania found her footing. All that remained was to tell her story: a story of privilege, slavery and freedom. A story of a woman who achieved the American Dream.
About the Author: Anna (Untch) Melgaard grew up in a German farming community in Reichesdorf, Romania. After WWII, she was shipped to a forced labor camp in Ukraine with others from her village. She was able to escape to West Germany and immigrated to Prosser WA. This book tells of her struggles, determination and work ethic. It was her desire to have a book about her experiences so others would learn about the aftermath of WWII.Alice grew up on a dairy farm in Prosser WA. By 9 years old, she was driving a tractor, milking cows and making breakfast for the family. She graduated from Eastern Washington University and spent over 34 years working on various railroads. While off work, fighting cancer, she started writing her mother's story. She and her husband Steve are retired and enjoy spending time with grandkids and traveling.Ellen grew up in Spokane WA and attended Whitworth College, majoring in Biblical Studies. She married Paul Fredricks and moved to New Jersey while he attended seminary. His career brought them to Prosser WA where they raised three daughters. As the nest grew empty, Ellen took up writing in her spare time. She was working at Sheffield Manor when Anna Melgaard moved in. Fascinated by Anna's Story after reading a draft of it, Ellen spent her lunch hours supplementing and shaping the draft. Ellen and Paul live in Prosser WA.Amanda (Violette) Melgaard grew up on Air Force bases around the world. She graduated from the University of Montana in Missoula. She married Anna's youngest son John in 1993. They live in the Pacific Northwest.