THEY GAVE ALL
FOR FREEDOM
The Powerful True Story of One Family's Quest For Freedom,
and the Two Countries They Served
Embedded Files
Coming soon!
A WWII Triumph Over Adversity Story
This is the true story of a young couple, John and Jarmila Honolka, who begin their lives together in Czechoslovakia during the 1930s. It documents their family's never-ending search for freedom, and all they endure to obtain it.
After surviving unbearable lives under the Nazi regime, the Communist Russia occupation, imprisonment, and displaced persons camps, they immigrate to the USA with their five children—settling in Iowa, where the entire family works multiple jobs to survive, and to send money home for those they left behind.
The book is an inspirational tribute to the resilience of a family who rises above uncommon hardships to claim their destiny in the annals of history. It is also a passionate call for all Americans to treasure their opportunities in the land of the free.
Purchase soon on Amazon!
About the Authors
Susan Armstrong is a lifelong writer who held positions as a professional journalist, political consultant, and advertising copywriter before she established her own advertising agency—which she ran for forty years.
Always a storyteller, her background in journalism provides a solid foundation for writing THEY GAVE ALL, FOR FREEDOM, her first full-length nonfiction book.
Susan is a traditionally published author who writes the Josie Posey Mystery Series under the pen name Anna St. John.
She lives in Kansas, with her husband, Bruce, and their Old English Sheepdog, Oliver. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Kansas Authors Club.
Vlasta Honolka is the co-author of THEY GAVE ALL, FOR FREEDOM. The younger daughter of John and Jarmila Honolka, she experienced this journey along with her parents, three brothers and sister. She grew up in Iowa, married and became a surgical nurse.
After the death of her sister Eva, Vlasta decided to publish the family's story. She contributed tirelessly to the content of this book, pouring through scrapbooks, family albums, military documents and more, to gather the information needed. The stories included are based on her personal experiences, and memories of the events her parents described to her.
Without Vlasta’s patience and dedication, the book would never have been completed.
USS General Harry Taylor
In 1951, the USNS General Harry Taylor sailed two voyages carrying refugees from Germany to New Orleans.
The vessel was operated by the Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) and primarily served as a transport for displaced persons and troops.
The transatlantic voyage from the port of Bremerhaven, Germany, required a two-week voyage to the port of New Orleans. The ship carrying the Honolka family arrived May 5, 1951.
Route Details:
The Honolka family boarded the USNS General Harry Taylor in Bremerhaven, Germany for the transatlantic crossing to the USA.
🇺🇲
Departing from the port of Bremerhaven, Germany.
Navigating through the English Channel, west, and south, across the North Atlantic Ocean.
Docking in the South American city of Puerto de Cabello, Brazil, for supplies.
Voyaging across the open seas again, entering the Gulf of Mexico through the Straits of Florida.
Proceeding to the port of New Orleans, Louisiana.
About Us
Armstrong Bookplate is a privately-held company formed to promote the work of author Susan Armstrong, who also writes fiction under the pen name of Anna St. John.
Google Sites
Report abuse