Honolka Courage

About Me and The Honolka Story

According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, a writer is ‘one who expresses ideas in writing’ or ‘one engaged in literary work. ‘An author is ‘a person who writes a novel, poem, essay etc., the composer of a literary work. ‘I do not consider myself an author or writer. I do not even enjoy reading for pleasure. If you find errors in grammar or punctuation, please note I, Sharon Honolka, am also not an English major.
What I am is Eva’s Honolka Newman’s sister-in-law that was asked to put “her stuff” in some type of order. This process started May of 2019. As of February 2, 2021, I have fulfilled my promise to Eva Honolka Newman and retained Author House for publication.
Materials have been gathered from various sources. You will read duplications, especially when you start reading her speeches as they appeared in local newspapers. Eva was a remarkable patriotic public speaker that love the United States of America and respected The American Flag.
Recently I was asked by a relative, “who are you getting to edit the book”? Curious to the response, I asked, “what does an editor do”? It was quiet. Then they said, “well, they take out what they don’t think should be there, or re-word a sentence”. My response was, “I don’t want anything removed or re-worded”. What people will be reading was handwritten by family matriarch, Eva Honolka Newman, her brothers, sister, children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Numerous newspaper articles were re-typed, word for word, giving credit to the source and writer. This book is a nonfiction narrative writing based on personal memories.
By the time you finish reading, you will have walked in the shoes of John and Jarmila Honolka and their five children. You will have retraced the steps taken by the seven Honolka’s through the trials, tribulation, distress, frustration, and suffering of a family seeking freedom.
Endless hours, days, weeks, and months have been spent gathering articles, asking questions, documenting responses, and verifying facts. I thank my husband, Don Honolka for his time and patience. Often taking him back to many unpleasant memories.
Without the positive support of Don, and the guidance of my “Heavenly Father” telling me “You Can Do This,” this task would not have been completed. Don also told me, “You are going to have to have thick skin because you will be criticized and people will remember events differently”. Fortunately, I am just repeating Eva’s words.
As always. the Lord has been by my side. I thank Him. To Him I give the glory, praise, and honor.