A Song in the Night: Story of a War Bride

Merriam Press Personal Chronicle PC2 (First Edition, 2014)

The story of Rita Kuder, born in eastern Germany in 1922, her early years growing up and her experiences living in Germany during the Nazi period and through World War II.

Rita and her family became refugees as the war entered its final weeks, in order to escape the fighting (including the bombing of Dresden) and the advancing Russians. Besides trying to survive the war, there was also the need to find food and shelter, and work. Through tragedy and hardship, Rita and most of her family managed to survive.

After the war, Rita is befriended by an American Army major, and eventually they fall in love and marry. She becomes one of many war brides that arrive in this country during the years after the war. Her story continues as she makes a life for herself with her husband and raises three children. Much of her life was a mental, emotional and physical struggle. This is her story.

Contents:

Chapter 1: Lessons from My Childhood

Chapter 2: Lessons from Each Other

Chapter 3: Lessons We Never Dreamed Of Learning

Chapter 4: The Horrifying Lessons of War

Chapter 5: We Learn To Be Refugees

Chapter 6: Tragedy Strikes

Chapter 7: The Sweet Lessons of Marriage

Chapter 8: Family Life Teaches Me

Chapter 9: Life Teaches Me

Chapter 10: Illness Teaches Me

49 photos

1 map

5 illustrations

7 documents