Mary Strasser tears up when she hears Lee Greenwood’s hit song “God Bless the U.S.A.”
“That song is just special,” she said. “I’m very proud to be an American.”
And it’s not surprising when you hear her story.
Mary, 87, was born in Werschetz, Yugoslavia, (now Serbia) and spent 18 months in a concentration camp as a young child at the end of WWII. Russian soldiers killed her father, but her mother survived.
Mary told the story of their survival and journey to America to families completing their first year of family faith formation at St. Mary Parish in Alexandria April 9.
“Mary’s story is such a powerful one on many levels,” said Laurie Bienias, coordinator of faith formation. “We stand after the homily at every Mass to profess our faith but how many of us would stand in the face of danger? Mary truly believes she is here because of her Catholic faith.”
Mary, a member of St. Mary Parish, said her mother always carried a rosary with her and she never knew. It’s amazing that it was never taken away, she said.
“She had that rosary in her pocket, and the good Lord is what gave her the strength, that’s the only thing I can say,” she said.
Paige Wussow, who has heard Mary tell her story before, said she was inspired by it. She said she’s not sure she would have the strength that Mary had to survive.
“Her story’s always been amazing and I love hearing her speak,” she said. “It’s so amazing that she’s been able to share it as much as she has.”
Mary and her mother, Helen Fischer, endured years of illness, separation and suffering at the hands of Russian soldiers until they ultimately were able to escape to Hungary.
Around that time, Helen found her son, Mary’s half-brother Josef, who was older than her. A letter he had written, addressed to their home in Werschetz, found them by what Mary calls divine intervention — or maybe a miracle. It gave them hope.
Their journey continued across Hungary toward Austria, where Josef was living with his family. They were eventually reunited with Josef in Salzburg.
Mary said that when Helen heard about a chance to go to America she applied, agreeing to work on a farm when they arrived. She wanted a better life for her family, she said.
They boarded an American Army ship on Mary’s 13th birthday, sponsored by the National Catholic Welfare Conference.
Once they were in New York, they boarded a train to Chicago and then on to Duluth, Minnesota.
“I remember when we stepped off the train onto the sidewalk of Duluth, that’s when my life, my good life, really started,” she said.
When they arrived in Duluth, Mary met Tony Strasser, who had also recently immigrated. They married in 1956. In 1960, the family moved to Lamberton, Minnesota, and later to Alexandria.
Mary Gorghuber, a member of St. Mary’s, said she was touched by Mary’s pride in being an American.
“We just take too much for granted,” she said. “Just the struggles to survive and have freedom that they went through, it puts things into perspective.”
As she ended her story, those gathered were asked to stand and sing along to “God Bless the U.S.A.” Mary sang with her hand on her heart and tears rolling down her face.
“I love the American flag, she said. “And I can’t thank America enough and all you Americans that have given us a home and let us work. We worked hard. We came with nothing.”
We all have our faith journey stories, but Mary’s generation, truly like the martyrs, died standing up for their beliefs, Bienias said. “They won’t be around forever which makes hearing their stories now more important than ever.”
Pictured above: Mary Strasser pauses during an emotional part of her talk. (Photos by Dianne Towalski)
Awesome woman – and her mom as well.
Thanks for sharing your story, Mary!