Philadelphians Celebrate Lithuania’s 81st Independence Day By Honoring Three American Soldiers

News Release
For Release:   Immediately

Contact:
Lisa I. Blanco
Public Relations
(215) 761-7144 work
(215) 785-5726 evening

Philadelphia, February 8, 1999 – During the celebration of Lithuanian Independence Day, three American soldiers will be honored for their acts of bravery while maintaining peace in Bosnia. The ceremony will take place on Sunday, February 21 at the Lithuanian Music Hall, 2715 East Allegheny Avenue in Philadelphia at 2 p.m.

        In April 1996 the U.S. soldiers mounted an operation to rescue other Implementation Force soldiers whose jeep was exploded when it strayed into a minefield during a NATO peacekeeping mission near Doboi, Bosnia. While their captain was in a helicopter keeping other convoy vehicles away, they cleared a narrow path to get to the jeep.

        The jeep contained a multinational military unit, including two Polish, one Danish, and one Lithuanian soldier, 1st Lt. Normundas Valteris. The latter two perished from their wounds. 1st Lt. Normundas received (posthumously) a United Nations medal for his distinguished service. Although Lithuania is not yet a member of NATO, the country’s military forces are participating in NATO peacekeeping missions.

        The keynote address will be given by Major Vlademaras Sarapinas, Lithuania’s Defense Attaché to the United States and Canada. In addition, Mayor Edward Rendell, Congressman Robert Borski and Major General Ruddock (U.S. Army) will be in attendance.

        Earlier in the day Sgt. 1st Class Charles Crego will receive the Meritorious Service Medal from the Army at a 10 a.m. ceremony at the Willow Grove Naval Air Base. Sgt. Robert Bastian and Sgt. Horace Johnson will receive the Army Reserve Commendation Medal at the Willow Grove ceremony. The soldiers are members of the 369th Engineer Platoon (Firefighter) based in Norristown, PA.

     The 307th Army band will participate in the Independence Day ceremony performing both the United States and Lithuanian national anthems. “We are elated,” states Vytas Bagdonavicius, president of the local chapter of the Lithuanian American Community (LAC), the sponsor of the event. “We often take for granted the important peacekeeping work our military does,” he continued. “Our community is proud to honor these soldiers as a means of expressing our recognition and sincere appreciation.”

   A delegation of LAC representatives will attend the medals ceremony in Willow Grove. In turn, representatives from the Army and the 365th Engineer Combat Battalion (Heavy) and the 369th Engineer Platoon will attend the Independence Day ceremony at the Lithuanian Music Hall.

The Independence Day ceremony will close with a Lithuanian cultural program, including a ‘kankles’ performance (an instrument similar to a dulcimer or harp), traditional dances performed by the Zilvinas Folk Dance group, and songs by the Lithuanian School youth chorus. Refreshments will follow.

The event is sponsored by the Philadelphia branch of the national Lithuanian American Community, an organization dedicated to maintaining the culture and heritage of Lithuanian Americans in the United States.