Florence Dvirnak was 12 years old when WWII broke out. She lived in Jakobstad in western Finland with her father, mother and younger brother. Their family is Swedish and western Finland is dual speaking with both Swedish and Finnish. Her father was a pastor in a Swedish Baptist Church in Jakobstad.
Hitler and Stalin had a pact in August 23, 1939 to attack Poland from the east and west. Stalin also invaded Finland as well in November 30, 1939. This was called the “Winter War” against the Soviet Union. President Franklin D. Roosevelt directed that American Legion to leave New York immediately and proceed to Petsamo in northern Finland to evacuate American nationals, European royalty, government ambassadors and US nationals from various European countries. American Legion was the last neutral ship permitted to leave Petsamo. (See LIFE Magazine of this event)