The Arctic Connections
War, Love, Deceit, Music, and a Mystery
by
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Alex and John relished the physical work and both were made corporals.
They went to London on leave, ate well, walked through the parks, eyed the girls and left their departure to the last possible moment. s As they made their way to Paddington train station there was an air raid and they sheltered in an Undeground station until the mournful All Clear sounded.
They walked past a bombed building and heard an air raid warden say,"There are people in there but there is no hope of getting them out."
Alex asked him where the victims were and the warden pointed to a pile of rubbish and said, "They are further in but it is too late the whole building will collapse any minute."
"Half a sec," said Alex, "there looks like an opening on the side."
He put his pack down grabbed the man's torch and pointing to some timber and bricks, said "John, let's give it a go. Comw here and help me clear this."
John said, "You're still a crazy logger but I can't leave you to be buried alone."
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About the Book
Aleksandras Girnius had a dream of a new life in a new land. A Russianspeaking Lithuanian, he hopes to build a new life serving in the Canadian Army in World War II. Now known as Alex Greenus, he is trained in tank warfare. Alex is posted to Murmansk in the Arctic Circle, where he and his colleagues train Russians to handle the tanks shipped on the notorious Murmansk Run.
Alex struggles to find his way in this new world, but when he meets Alisa Volgymko, a Russian officer who is assigned to the same training unit, he finds comfort in her arms and her bed. He calls her his “Arctic Connection,” but when the training mission ends, they part.
Years later, he learns that Alisa left with more than just memories—she was pregnant with their son, Ivor. Alex is living in Quebec and practicing as a doctor when he and Alisa rekindle their romance; a family is born—only to be torn apart when Alisa decides to return to Russia.
Ivor, a musician, writer, and student, returns to Lithuania to work on his thesis on the work of Mikalojus Konstantinas Ciurlionis, a unique Lithuanian composer and artist. Ivor follows his parents’ path of service in the Arctic, where he serves as an Anglican minister. His father now considers Ivor to be his other “Arctic Connection.”
But just as things seem to be falling in place, Ivor’s research uncovers a perplexing family mystery …
About the Author
After a career in South Africa’s newspaper and printing industries and service in World War II, Frank Streek immigrated to Canada in 1978. He worked in a family agricultural business before establishing a financial planning business. He holds a doctorate in business economics and FCMA/CGMA qualifications; he is also the author of four historical novels.