Jacob Wheeler

Mitka’s Secret

History & Biography

“To meet Mitka Kalinski and to hear his story, the hurdles and horrors he overcame, is to understand that love once in a while triumphs over hatred—that perseverance, hard work, compassion, and more than a dose of boyish good luck helps one survive a World War. Mitka’s story is amazing and, in the end, beautiful. His ability to forgive, to move forward, to raise a family and build a life in the West is just as profound. His courage to confront the painful past of his youth, to share it all with his wife Adrienne, and to return to the hell from which he escaped so many decades ago—this carries lessons for all of us. We must bear witness; we must never forget.”