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Saturday, 20.04.2024, 10:46
Several hundred people gathered in Vilnius to mark army anniversary
Several hundred people gathered in the Cathedral Square in downtown Vilnius
on Thursday noon to mark 99 years since the re-establishment of the Lithuanian
Armed Forces, reports LETA/BNS.
People watching the solemn ceremony, which was attended by the country's
political leaders and military commanders and foreign partners' troops, said
that they also wanted to pay their respect to soldiers who swore to defend
their homeland.
"The first association the Armed Forces bring to my mind is respect.
These are the people who, whatever happens, will go and defend our country,
each of us, because we are the state," Ieva, a first-year student at
Vilnius University, told BNS.
"Honor and respect for the soldiers are the first words that come to
my mind," she added.
Foreign diplomats and defense attaches were in the Cathedral Square to
watch a line-up of Lithuanian and Allied troops, followed by a parade
along the central Gedimino Avenue to the Independence Square.
President Dalia Grybauskaite said that this day was an occasion to remember
all the defenders of the country's freedom, their courage and loyalty to
Lithuania.
Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis noted that with one year to go until
the centennial of the re-establishment of the Armed Forces on Nov. 23, 1918,
the security situation remained uncertain.
The minister pointed to the situation in Ukraine, where "people are
killed every day".
"On the other hand, Lithuania never had so many friends and security
guarantees as it does now. And the Lithuanian Armed Forces were never as strong
as now. The Armed Forces are growing and we have strong public support,"
the minister said.
"And I thank people for this support. Every soldier does need
it," he added.
Lithuania's Chief of Defense, Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Zukas
underscored the work done in modernizing the Armed Forces and enhanced
cooperation with NATO partners.
He vowed to keep up the pace of strengthening the Armed Forces.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces Day is also celebrated in other cities and
towns across the country.