Upland resident celebrates 50 years in America
It has been 50 years since Jelena Ninkovic escaped a worn torn Yugoslavia to a free America.
Ninkovic, who will be 76 years old next month, celebrated the anniversary of her immigration to America with family and friends on Aug. 13 in the Upland Manor dining hall, 1125 W. Arrow Hwy.
Ethnic and American foods were prepared and Ninkovic shared her story. The group then san "This is My Country," said the Pledge of Allegiance and joined in singing and listening to music of her choice.
Ninkovic was born on Sept. 20, 1935 in Belgrade Yugoslavia, which is now Serbia. She was a political refugee in Belgium from June 23, 1958 to Aug. 13, 1961. She arrived in New York City on Aug. 13, 1961.
Ninkovic has written about her journey in a memoir called "Coming Home."
"When the Second World War started, German, Italian and Russian armies marched through my home town," Ninkovic wrote. "Bombs were falling on us. We saw destruction of lives and structures. Between bombardments, people gathered in homes and backyards to pray, hoping for an end to this nightmare."
Ninkovic's father was taken from their home in 1944, soon after liberators marched in, she wrote.
"People rejoiced, but the joy was short lived," she wrote. "Communism was not what people hoped for. Freedom of religion was lost as well as many other expectations."
Her father was held at a military base where he was held for "investigation." Ninkovic and her family could not speak with him. He later disappeared.
At 23, she became a political refugee and spent three years waiting for approval and a visa to go to America.
When she eventually arrived in New York City, she was greeted by her Aunt and cousins.
She later married a man she met at the refugee camp. She worked various jobs including cleaning offices in Manhattan, waitressing, chicken ranching and serving as a financial officer for a corporation.
She had two daughters.
She moved to Upland Manor in 2006.
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