But God, for some reason did not listen, for not long after, for us became worse: re-settlement.
Spring on Lemkivchani in 1947 was beautiful. The harvest was said to be good, for weather was written down the entire time. Fruit trees all around were with white flowers.
The village of Bortne population at this time was only approximately 175 households.
In 1945, half of village went willing to Ukraine, i.e. to 'Russia', when themselves guarded. After they left, Bortne looked empty, because to Bortne, Polish settlers didn't come, no matter how much they were pushed. Not even one came to boss us.
Was now good on fruit, like from red army, t.zn. boys from front lines started to return, some voluntarily had gone to the front line. From Bortne, 40 young boys had gone.
Not all returned, some died on Czech soil. Those who returned, did not find their family, some traveled after them to Ukraine. And there were those who decided to finish tidy their paternal affairs, and remained here in their own kind of poverty.
Returned the same boys and girls from forced labor in Germany, and more of them, who did not find relatives, then left on their own.
Returned these few families, which dismissed course, and recognized what it meant 'Soviet paradise'. So, 102 families still remained in village .
How will we live - conversed with hopes. But by end of spring 1947, this was in the afternoon, on day of Christ's Ascension, to our village came the Polish army.
No one marveled much, for we became accustomed to these 'visits'.
Came - so and they will go themselves. That people did not pay attention to the military, went peacefully one evening, one to Greek Catholic, another to Uniate Church.
After evening divine service, everyone returned home. In the evening, no one out of their homes, because the military roamed through the village, and for some reason not dressed, like from where were, but remained at night.
And why? Who knows?
Next day, early morning, people usually arose and everyone took to some kind of work. Shepherds took their cattle to pastures, immediately grandmothers and girls took hoes and went on fields to hoe KOMPERI.
Somewhere before noon they started to round people up to the center of town. To the group of people, one of the officials said, Everyone must immediately pack and leave village, and whosoever laughs then is provoking, and will be labeled 'as a bandit from UPA'.
This started a great outcry with complaints, but the official man said, that this will help nothing, just quickly prepare for the road.
They said they will chase not us to station in Horluchax (20 km) but to Yasla (50 km), for station in Horluchax and Zagygzanax will be already so full of those chased from other villages, that for Bortne people there will not be enough room. He said also, that those who do not have own cart, they will be assigned a vehicle.
Full wagons are to go with goods to village Doshnucha, where will be such 'designated spot'.
People, with cries and godlike tears, put on wagons and carts whatever they needed the most.
Not much fitted on small Lemkivski wagon, to which were tied a horse, or pulled by oxen or a cow. Then appeared 'good neighborly' Poles, particularly resident Cheklina, who knew already we would be chased away, even though we to the end did not know anything. Men and women came to ransack .
Some of them I knew, they also knew me, but they made nothing of it. Went to granary, corn loft, cellar and brought with them sacks, scooped seed and grain. With threshing flour and shed shouted to machine to thresh grain, treadmill , whip and other apparatuses. They had more trouble had with immanent pigeons, which gathered around the gates.
One of the military, probably an officer, warned them, so they waited until all was brought out, and then they could take whatever they wanted. But this changed nothing, and scraped further, just like written so after years the Bortne poet, Milya Sobin in his verse 'Forty-seven' the words:
Military starting 'to employ (use)' themselves as Ukrainians.
Comes lad, Stefan, which moment before must release his paternal _________; On shoulder carried branch with baskets .....changing to------Met up with the military along the road. One of them reports in Polish: "And you, where are going with these baskets?"
Stefan replies, I not know why, "to Berlin!" Military jumped at the boy and continued in Polish: "Son, how you answer to Polish soldier?" They ripped the branch from his hands and hit Stefan until they broke it on him into tiny bits of pieces.
Military wanted to take for themselves a beehive which was full of honey. They did not pretend nor take precaution at being observed, already this Polish soldier, but dragged them far worse when civilized. But he managed to destroy it, for very much of the honey drained on the ground, overturned. Before long bees swarmed and encircled on the drained fluid.
Mukolai Shkyrata rode in a wagon which had been hitched with one ox. The military brought to a dog, which belonged to the master, the dog was already freed and there for fun sicked him on Mukolai The dog bit Mukolai very much, and so with mutilated skin arrived to Doshnucha, and didn't get aid until sister of Milka, bandaged his wounds. Someone from Bortne heard their saga of this Micholai and in Polish, "But stubborn bandits, that dog bit and they not recognize."
One of the officers from group of military of both churches led "revision". Look for arsenal and "bandits." With steel wheels, they pulled up floor.
In the Greek Orthodox Church, PORUCHNUK with hat on head opened ark and took out chalice, called military and says in Polish, "Come here, see what kind is Ukrainian communion!" Then they left church, taking money from cherished offering.
Same thing happened in a different sanctuary. There found 'arms!' Exhibit in book. Was in hard bound "Ukrainian history". Shrieked lieutenant in Polish: "To this Jesus you hang onto? " They repeatedly hit O. Bylata over the head until blood flowed onto his back.
Apparently things did not change for him, not his luck, for up to 27 residents of Bortne came upon accidents and not returned from there.
Greek Orthodox priest O. Levyar, with help of some neighbors (foreigners who profited) took from walls and Konastas a pair of icons, few new church banners, they took liturgical dishes, books and chasuble. Carried out everything from church and placed them by the stream, but there was not anyone to take the church things to Doshnuchi at the collection point. That's how gathered, already from Doshnucha returned some sort of Poles who carried heavy luggage who allowed himself to be persuaded for payment to ride to Doshnucha with church items.
The village was depopulated of the last of life. We drove away the cattle, people looked back on our native ground left behind - own native land, and bitterly cried.
We stopped the cattle at the neighboring vacant village, where not even a live soul remained and grass was above the knees, where our cattle could graze. But we still needed to milk them.
I have with me a small pail and draw near. Milk cow and goat. Plenty of milk. Drink a bit - we and our dogs, rest need to spill. Then even dogs left us, for they returned back to their own owners, of which some did not step aside. The military shot them and they died in the wells. In Bortne, only 2 old wells were kept clean, but rest 'buried' the dogs.
To a deserted village, we came with cattle and 'tied up'. Some Poles, pretending they want to buy "some kind of animal" (in Polish). But they came to steal whatever suitable for them.
In Doshnucha at the meeting spot, when approached night, Priest O. Levyar said to hang on an apple tree icon Potchain Mother of God (Ukrainian place of pilgrimage).
Under it we placed a few stubbles of candles, and priest put on a stole and all guided by thin light, started Moleben (supplication).
"Joyfully praise Potchain and always peace forever and delight" beautifully sang the Bortne choir led by talented Bortne cantor, Bodakom Fedorim.
One of military not even wait on this singing and hollered in Polish, "What is this? To who do you moan and put on your display here!"
But another military man quieted him in Polish, "Shut your mouth, dummy! Lovely singing and I want to listen."
When Moleben service ended, then everyone fell on knees while the choir sang "Before your holy Icon Sovereign." When the choir quieted, the people further kneeled and prayed. This prayer in pieces was torn then quieted, so immediately loudly cried.
It was dark now but I saw before me older woman, Marta, who kneels with lowly bowed head, barefooted, prays quietly, and then as if rebuked All Highest half loudly:
"Compassionate God, for what do you punish us so severely?" Marta, long time ago died, but replied on own question, and not only on this, to pressure her.
For a few days we remained in assembled spot in Doshnuchia.
First moved wagon with loaded, after them we with cattle and those who did not have own carts, the military arranged for autos and took them to station Yaslo.
We pushed the cattle through first Polish village, Katy.
The village was poor enough, but people were not that bad, not barked at us. I and my neighbor lead a herd of lambs through road.
Here comes a military car, and right into lambs, which leap toward both sides of road, but one was not quick and fell under wheel. The car ran over and broke her back leg. You see, this is my lamb. The leg was terribly broken, bone splintered from wound flows blood. Hard to hold back the tears, not fitting, for I am adult and not long ago returned from war.
I take the poor lamb in arm but she is heavy, and I can not carry her far. Carried her to first better house. I told the Pole what happened, and for them to take this lamb and butcher it, let it not suffer. Replied, all good and thanked me. When I returned to the road, the boss hollered so that he had to wait. Flew to house and returned with bank notes in hands, was around 500 zloty. He said in Polish: "If man wants more, more not have." So enough for the expensive price of a few packages of cigarettes or a few bottles of beer. Good even this, but importantly (?) would have been people from other side of this Polish from Kytiv (Katy).
We moved slowly closer to war ruined city of Zmuhoroga. Here by road stands in black clothing older lady who inquires in Polish: "And where are you going?"
But no one answers, so she further goes on in Polish: "No reply, where you go swiftly? For before you there was also chased fourteen, to Talerhofu, only without animals and wagon."
Someone to her answered, "We ourselves do not know where they chase us, nor for what reason."
Chased a cow. A small shepherd, was barefoot, cried, for someone stole his sheep. This lady scolded him then retrieved from purse some kind of money and gave it to the little one.
She says in Polish, "Nice boy! This money you have to give on offering, but better offering will be when give on rolls!" This was people's deed, but lastly on our road to Yasla.
After Zmuhorogo we started our Hohofa.
In villages Toki, Lenzunu, Swerhova, Zazheche, Moyschova, and Zhylkyv, residents stood along the road. People called to us vulgarly, frequently - densely fell words "bandit, Ukrainian bandits."
In village Toki, riding in car, Michael Chirkit, observed his 15 year old sister, Mary, who alone shepherded their cattle. So he hopped from car, to help her for alone she was not able to help herself. One person saw this from a dwelling in Toki and hollered to the military in Polish: Shoot this son of ....., this bandit, who hopped from car and is inclined to flee.
But this soldier was decent, for he did not shoot Michael and inquired why he hopped from car. Michael replied that he saw sister, who needed help. The soldier understood, but the dweller in this village was already disappointed, that he not shoot the bandit.
Except for barking at us, some wrote down "heroism". We came upon one such 'hero' who flew onto the road, caught a sheep and seized it to his own home.
On Zazechy chased one driver from Bortne. Took Andrew Koban to boss. Traveled slowly, for behind wagon he had tied bull, which went sluggishly. There to Koban approached some man (was a bit on fashionably dressed) and says in Polish: "Sell this bull."
Koban replied, not yet, for orders to sell cattle are to come from the commander of the convoy. But man approached some guard and said something to him. Then a different soldier came up to Koban and said in Polish:, "Sell this foolish yokel, because this beast is old and will soon die and you also will die for not have where to put yourself or wind up at."
So Koban obeyed. He sold the bull to this Pole, which gave the military beer money but barely with bull turned on close _______, when this same soldier arrived to boss and said in Polish: "And ____ you son, this animal not allowed to be sold? Arrest immediately!"
So poor Koban must for side of flank, give money to military. This witnessed everything before my eyes.
Yet before same Yaslo, in village Zylkyv, cattle stopped on some kind of hill and started to graze, for the convoy allowed it.
Truth was, there was not very much to eat but cattle hungry, pulled up every blade. At once flew up a hollering proprietor, a poor shepherd and said to get away from here. But soldier appealed to him, the cattle needs to nourish and he will be paid for grazing, and this handsomely. So he gave us peace. But after a while, up flew his wife, also hollering. Soldier immediately tells both there will be good pay and she replied on this in Polish: "no . . . allow it, already this will be but in order to at least was people and not such bandits."
Soldier agreed with him for said in Polish, "My lady allowance to bandit."
Now I not held back and confronted him, "Where does he see this bandit?"
In reply, I got from them a clubbing (with the butt end) across my back and found out that I also was a bandit.
Before evening we arrived at Yasla railroad station.
The caretaker of horses and wagon already was there waiting for us. On wagon was several baled hay, this is how we fed the cattle. But hay soon finished, and hungry cattle hollered. It was even uncomfortable to listen to.
People went to Polish people, who had a small piece of field behind the station, to ask if they would allow our cattle to graze the weeds, for hungry bulls are allowed to be fed weeds. Evidently already allowed, for Rusyn for free clean them out of 'weedy growth' and others will thank.
Thievery also here on station happened. Bosses, probably from Yaviria, stole sheep and from Peter Felenchakovich of Bortne, a goat.
At the station were a few big tents, in which were quartered military from our convoy. Into one tent some man ordered, I don't know what kind of rank he had for he was dressed in civilian attire, elegantly, but every soldier saluted him.
From time to time, the military took everyone to this tent. There elegant man asked them various questions, and already they not know good replies to these questions, and so was beaten for this reply.
I also was in this tent. Under tight wait, was placed with several goods wagon. Not everything of these was covered. To this wagon came on 2 families together with luggage and cattle and tiny creatures/ except wagon, oxen and harrow.
In this first transport was loaded up one third of the Bortne people, This day was 'Pentecost'. Some broke clinging branches and decorated the wagons with them. This was our Green Holidays (Pentecost)! One from such wagon, whoever with chalk wrote "Pilgrimage Carpathanian."
This transport first left from Yaslo and arrived even to Braneva. Not everyone there arrived for in time, must be in Yavozne. With rest of every transport a few people 'was needed' there to leave.
The second transport, where I found my family, arrived in 10 days along the road to station Rashyvka. This joining amid Lehnuchom, a Lybinom amid pine grove forest.
People came out from wagons and around thorns pulled grass and various weeds, at least something for the lips to feed on hungry blades.
At night time, the convoy went from wagons and took rifles to cattle, where they came across 'groups' from neighboring villages. And teasing people, said in Polish: "And what will you take for your mother!"
One woman, Maria Kyzak replied: "A devil so begs, if you to us this brought. You can kill me, but I will not let you take a calf!"
In the morning, authority arrived with reply with PUR and security council. They decided to scatter us. From convoy took written people and then said to give ³rose colored cards² on which was written the cattle. Said there is several missing.
On questioning, what happened to them, no one wanted to reply. Until one boy, Wasyl Horbal answered, yet convoy at night stole and with finger pointed to those who stole.
Then started to summons "of bandits and gangsters", but some kind of man without security quieted them and wrote data.
Then everyone got a card from bosses, on which was written to which village is to go (best to go).
At first our belongings from our wagons, collected repeatedly on wagon platform. Along the entire road, sun warmed us very hotly, so some circles somewhat scattered already ________ with them began rushing about.
Some women cry, not able to help themselves tto collect their goods, for their husbands were left in Yabozni. Good neighbors helped, so that by afternoon were ready for the road. Started departure toward various directions.
Our 'group' carried militia in direction to Zumna Voda / Cold Water. We yet had not even half kilometers from station.
Barely went from forest to village Karcheviska, but little not more than like 10 huts when to us came clouds of dust and militia from Cold Water.
Long they knew, that the 'threat' of gangsters would be planted on their terrain ____________. Spoken in Polish, "Oh to bayonet on shield! And pile must reign! Looked like comical enough but wage war."
So brought us under musket to this place. From time to time, whenever they barked at us, our people did not answer.
On one from wagon traveled old crutch Kasandra. In arms held grandson, little Mickey, and here abruptly began to rain. Drenched to dried threads, so Mickey cried and with him Kasandra. Loudly cried, in their own language, for Polish language did not know. Heard this ORMO commander, Voychex Domanski (who stammered much) arrived to wagon and investigates. He says in Polish stuttering: "Oh, you old grandmother gangster? And son where? In woods?"
And Kasandra on this replied, "Yes, in the forest, Mr., in the woods. There stands a second wagon, for my wagon the wheel fell off, so went to look on the road look for wire, so that to tie the wheel back on, for anything else would be lost. Oh God, God!"
Voychex eyes stared. He says in Polish: "Oh, what you talk?"
But probably thought, that grandmother this not understand what he wanted, and rain fell further.
We arrived to this Cold Water. First rundown house we say our guide assigns to my scared brother Andrew. Turned wagon to this downfall and turned around this wagon on which took his 'property'.
Said watch so your wheels don't fall in the holes made by bombs, which grew army pigweed. To last building chased our son-in-law Fedora Bogaka.
Our assigned houses, 1/4 don't even have roofs.
Standing before a shack, was a wife Nancy with small children gathered around her. One child she held crying in her arms. Approaching her, Stefan Xochanovski hit her several times with club on her back. Says for her to go to inside the house.
Others were taken further. Wet and frozen, they traveled to village, Lici Mlun (Forest)/Fuks Minl/ now called Licech.
We were confused when we saw the ruins. Empty, ruined and demolished buildings without doors, windows and floor, with broken down seals and holes in roofs.
Swarming bugs welcomed us which bit us impossibly. Together with mother, I collected some dirt and made a fire. This helped because the bugs do not like smoke.
There were no Poles in the village. Outside which there stood, comprised Soviet 'military housing'without Russians, worked Germans, who remained behind approximately 20 families.
On 'our' property grew huge grass, which was useful. Our cow was now not hungry. We also not starve, for we brought with us a bit of grain and grinder. We had bread and milk, for our cow was milked good. Excessive milk we gave to Germans, and for this brought us old chairs, table and dishes, for our furniture they did not allow us to bring.
Began to come Poles in groups, said to go to them on harvest work, for 11 sheaves! On this one smart (ass) boss said to them that we were not worth even for stockings? so because of this no value not paid. That, yet no one from this 'offer' not shorted.
Not very long accepted us to work in this 'military housing'. Very much not paid, but there was food where gave us 3 times a day to eat good. And when we returned from work, were able to take full pockets of tomatoes and cucumbers. With this compensation, we ourselves 'sustained' on entire winter.
In Cold Water was and yet further is, 2 churches, Catholic, rebuilt, and Evangelist, ruined (normal).
To Catholic came once a month a priest from Lybina to say Holy Mass.
So our exile also came to this church, only if to pray, for observed that God is one (even though we did not understand, for it was celebrated in Latin). But later said that not one, for this priest came on pulpit, was not young and entirely gray, and started his own sermon in Polish. " you here (here showed with finger on us standing, for Poles sat on benches) separate, schismatically, also finally must humble before holy small Roman Catholic church." (He insulted them.)
Became mixed up and we everyone whether Uniate or if Greek Orthodox, in a group walked out from this church, and already most of us never returned there.
In Lischy, in house of Wasyl Paschka, on under loft was a little room, which hung on wall Pochaivsky icon. On Sunday and holidays w people went there for prayers. It was our holiday of John (Birth of John the Baptist) to village came bailiff ______ named Ira. He went from house to house shouting in Polish, "And to work! I to you will give Ukrainian holiday to celebrate!"
People ran, hid noses _________ until baliff man came upon my brother, Peter, who not hid before bailiff's shouting. In reply took some kind of wire and hollered, "Go! for here immediately God punish!"
Bailiff turned eyes away and left. Further to other houses he did not go.
After several months, Priest O. Levyar, who was left behind at Yaslo and not allowed to travel on with us, inquired about us.
They transported him together with church things almost by Skvezhuni. People wrote to him and asked if he would come here to celebrate, at least in some houses, if only we had our own service. And so he came.
We accepted Evangelist church of manure, for earlier it was used to stable horses. Hung holy icons brought from hill and such walls by fall of 1947 started to celebrate our Mass service. First without official sanction, for people much yearned for their own. Our people came, sometimes from far Lemki, Boyki, Ukrainians, Belarus, and Russians. Firm Greek Catholics and firm Greek Orthodox not differ, didn't argued for everyone was pleased to hear, and also we sang with full hearts, our own native "Lord have Mercy!"
The rest is not important. Importantly, yet for in front of church, people who could meet his with his own, talk in their own language, who with great peace hummed in our nation.
Came 1948, people returned from Yabozhna but not everyone. Some of these were tired.
We waited for Easter. Weather was wonderful. The church was full of people. We celebrated Easter Liturgy. Choir beautifully sang for Bortne's deacon-director, Fedor Bogak, also remained oppressed here, and again had to organize a choir.
But then we heard some kind of noise. So then came ORMO together with militia from Cold Water surrounded our church with chains in hands.
"Oh, what's going on?" people inquire.
They replied in Polish: "The forest burns! You must extinguish flames."
One ORMOVECH Rucek Vengshanovski came out of door to sacristy of church and replied in Polish, "Let Orthodox priest tell people, to go immediately extinguish the forest! No, ORMOVECH alone can not extinguish."
Priest said, that only old, women and children remaine in church, and boys can go to put it out. But no one wanted to go to woods to the fire in their Sunday best clothes. Everyone wanted to change especially since these clothes were the only good ones they had. Some ran, but coldn't get away. By name MO took on outpost, there chased them to cellar, where accused of setting the fire.
He says in Polish: "This is your doing this forest fire. Who from you set small fire in the forest, to shame set with firecrackers, so that discharged on cheer for your Ukrainian holiday."
A year later, on our Easter, forest was burned. History repeated. So alone remained ORMO and MO to church and chased people to the fire.
With such preparation Polish neighbors 'allowed' us our holidays. In 1950 our holidays and Latin were on the same day. Then forest was not burned. For if it had, it would have ruined their Easter.
About stolen cattle in Rashyvchi. There was a lawsuit process before army court, even in Kelchax, for military thieves came from those sides.
Procurator among ____________ thieves, so shouted on stolen like a dog, and called them further bandits. So yet bosses not lose them cattle, and on journey lost money in time. For this man Mayor (procurator) found out where they are.