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Laszlo Suhajda

Goodreads Author

Born

in Pecs, Hungary

Website

https://www.twelvebellstofreedom

Twitter

LesSuhayda

Genre

Memoir, World War II Historical, Family Saga

Member Since

June 2026

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/httpsacod04mhf5pv

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I am Laszlo Tamas Suhajda, born in Pecs Hungary, February 1952, a naturalized citizen under my Parent's citizenship after escaping Russian Communism in Hungary during the 1956 Revolution and author of Twelve Bells To Freedom - The Suhajda Story.

I am a business owner of Laszlo Corporation, I was an accomplished Soccer Player with the Aurora Kickers and Aurora College, and Coached in St louis with Real WC, and Lou Fusz.

When my family arrived in New York on the General Haan, January 7, 1957, we witnessed the Statue of Liberty, and were processed through immigration. The big theory in 1957 was clled the melting pot theory, and my brothers and I had our first names Americanized, Jozsef was named Joseph, Bela was named Billy, and I was renamed I am Laszlo Tamas Suhajda, born in Pecs Hungary, February 1952, a naturalized citizen under my Parent's citizenship after escaping Russian Communism in Hungary during the 1956 Revolution and author of Twelve Bells To Freedom - The Suhajda Story.

I am a business owner of Laszlo Corporation, I was an accomplished Soccer Player with the Aurora Kickers and Aurora College, and Coached in St louis with Real WC, and Lou Fusz.

When my family arrived in New York on the General Haan, January 7, 1957, we witnessed the Statue of Liberty, and were processed through immigration. The big theory in 1957 was clled the melting pot theory, and my brothers and I had our first names Americanized, Jozsef was named Joseph, Bela was named Billy, and I was renamed from Laszlo to Leslie, but theories are just that, it made no difference. We were stationed in Camp Kilmer in upper New York, and Sponsors from across the country sponsored families and we were sponsored by the Rotary Club in upper Michigan, Ishpeming. The President of the Rotary Club was Howard J Higgins.

The Rotary Club helped my family get started, my father Lajos Suhajda found a position with Austern Western in Aurora Illinois and we started our family life in Aurora.

As kids we had to learn a new language, find a way to gain peer respect and that led us to sports. We all excelled in Sports, my oldest brother Jozsef or Joseph got into Soccer and Wrestling. My second oldest brother Bela or Bill, picked up the sports and also was very successful. I had the honor of learning from my brothers in both sports and was sent to the Junior Olympics in 1970, St Louis Missouri. I attneded Aurora College in 1971, and had the honor to play Varsity with my brother Bill. a recruiting year that turned into a league Championship. After the season my High School coach, Coach Gavoni approached me and told me he was the Aurora College Wrestling Coach and wanted me to be on his team. I did not plan on Wrestling but I could not say NO. I wrestled at the 142 LB weight class and won a number of tournaments, Conference, District, and qualified for the N.A.I.A. Nationals.

That synopsis is an example of how a young refugee can gain respect from peers at school, instead of teasing and mean behavior. Determination and pefecting your skill results in winning and the benefit of acceptance.

In the photo gallery you will see addtional information of those successes.

In 1972, I was drafted and decided to enlist in the US Navy. I wanted to represent my family's gift of freedom by serving my country.
...more

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Average rating: 4.9 · 10 ratings · 7 reviews · 1 distinct work • Similar authors

Twelve Bells to Freedom: The Suhajda Story
by

Laszlo Suhajda (Goodreads Author),

Iren Suhajda,

Lajos Suhajda

4.90 avg rating — 10 ratings — 4 editions

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Laszlo Suhajda's Blog

Twelve Bells To Freedom

Controlling a country through occupation requires communication through a powerful member of the Communist Party, that was Yuri Andropov the Russian Ambassador to Hungary. When Russia occupied Hungary and violated the Potsdam agreement, a puppet government was installed called the Rakosi regime. All of the orders came from the Kremlin to Andropov and He passed it on to Rakosi to execute. For examp Read more of this blog post »

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Published on July 03, 2026 10:27

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Twelve Bells to Freedom: The Suhajda Story

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Jun 23, 2026 09:28AM

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Laszlo’s Recent Updates

Laszlo Suhajda made a comment in the group Around the World in 80 Books — Twelve Bells To Freeedom - The Suhajda Story topic " Subject: A Mother's Legacy of Survival: Twelve Bells to Freedom Hello fellow readers, I'm excited to join the group! I love memoirs that capture ordinar ...more "
10 hours, 44 min ago
Laszlo Suhajda joined the groups Around the World in 80 Books, Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine, and Underground Knowledge — A discussion group
10 hours, 51 min ago
Laszlo Suhajda made a comment in the group Never too Late to Read Classics — Twelve Bells To Freeedom - The Suhajda Story topic " [image] [image] Subject: New Member Intro: Post-WWII & 1956 Hungarian Revolution Eyewitness Account Hi everyone, I just joined the group and am lo ...more "
11 hours, 4 min ago
Laszlo Suhajda is now following Megan ❀ and Debbie Lamb
Aug 14, 2026 12:02PM
Laszlo Suhajda made a comment on Twelve Bells to Freedom: The Suhajda Story — Escape from Communism " What does it take to escape and leave loved ones because of Communist oppression, leaving everything behind for freedom? [image] Twelve Bells to Fre ...more "
Aug 11, 2026 10:36AM
Laszlo Suhajda made a comment on Karen Thompson’s review of Twelve Bells to Freedom: The Suhajda Story " Thank you Karen for your review, I appreciate the time and enjoyment you received and other young generation men and women need to understand what lif ...more "
Jul 09, 2026 11:26AM · see review
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Quotes by Laszlo Suhajda (?)

“Always remember freedom is not free, you have to earn it!”
― Laszlo Suhajda

tags: freedom-s-journey, inspirational

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Never too Late to...: 2026: June: Historical Genre	28	37	Jul 19, 2026 11:01AM
Escape from Communism	1	1	Aug 11, 2026 10:36AM
Never too Late to...: Twelve Bells To Freeedom - The Suhajda Story	1	3	11 hours, 4 min ago
Never too Late to...: Present Yourself 유 웃	2690	2246	57 minutes ago