Born American … but in the wrong place

When the Communists took control of Hungary in 1949, my parents' textile shop (and everything that was in it) was taken from them. They were considered the "bourgeoisie," and therefore dangerous. That same year, 1949, my grandfather was sentenced to ten years hard labor by the Communists for having a small American flag in his possession (much like the kind we wave at July 4th celebrations or with which we decorate the graves of our fallen heroes).  At my grandfather's "trial" they asked

When the Communists took control of Hungary in 1949, my parents' textile shop (and everything that was in it) was taken from them. They were considered the "bourgeoisie," and therefore dangerous. That same year, 1949, my grandfather was sentenced to ten years hard labor by the Communists for having a small American flag in his possession (much like the kind we wave at July 4th celebrations or with which we decorate the graves of our fallen heroes).  At my grandfather's "trial" they asked him wh…