For those of you who read "Lawrence DeWolfe Kelsey: The Life of the Explorer", you may recall that Lawrence was most upset when in 1970, Simas Kudirka, a Lithuanian radio operator aboard the Russian ship Sovietskaya Litva, jumped ship to the US Coast Guard Vessel, the Vigilant, in an attempt to defect. In a litany of errors, the coast guard had allowed the Russian vessel to board their ship and take Kudirka back, but not before he was beaten into unconsciousness, had a rope placed around his neck, and was literally thrown into a vessel. Our book's chapter fifty nine discusses Lawrence's journey to aid Kudirka and the other principles, Daiva Kezys, her husband Romas, Grazina Paegle and her husband Dr. Roland Paegle who worked hard to effect Kudirka's eventual release from the final Soviet prison camp in which he eventually was held. Thanks to these individuals and assistance from some US government members also, Kudirka, his wife and his son and daughter come to the United States to live.
Giedre Zickyte, the noted Lithuanian documentary filmmaker, has released this year an award winning documentary film on the subject of Kudirka, entitled "The Jump". The film is a not to be missed version of what happened to Kudirka and why, and how he fared when he and his family came to the United States to live and to work. It's a sensitively done portrait of the Cold War, the situation at the time, and the man, and why he took such an action on that cold day off Martha's Vineyard. It also sensitively ponders some of the things Kudirka learned about freedom during his time here. I highly recommend the documentary. I have seen it, and you can also, by going to NYC DOC where it is currently playing. https://www.docnyc.net/
Lawrence would have been pleased at the expert and sensitive treatment the story was given at the hands of Giedre Zickyte. He would also be pleased that Simas Kudirka is happy and well at about age ninety this year ! I personally was very pleased to see the story sensitively portrayed as I last spoke to Simas Kudirka a couple of years ago when I provided him with a copy of the book on my father. Kudirka remains an intelligent, kind, decent man, and I am delighted that he has retained good health and his positive outlook.
Additional links:
https://www.docnyc.net/film/the-jump/
https://www.facebook.com/thejumpdocumentary/
https://www.cineuropa.org/en/video/393424/
