Speeches

Remarks by H.E. Valdas Adamkus, President of the Republic of Lithuania,at the Ceremony of Presentation of State Decorations on the Occasion of Lithuanian Independence Day

Distinguished Participants and Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen!

Today we celebrate a very important date in our history that defines and signifies Lithuanian statehood and love of freedom.

February 16 symbolizes the deep historical bond which unites our nation in the never-ending quest for freedom. The Declaration of Independence of 1918 is a vibrant expression of our freedom ideals and their importance to the future generations of Lithuania.

It was not from oblivion that Lithuania emerged to declare its existence on February 16. Its road to the Day of the Restoration of Statehood was built by many educated and learned people on the foundation of hard work, clear vision and strong ideals.

On December 31, as we opened the door to the Lithuanian Millennium Year, we also celebrated the 150th anniversary of the birth of the Lithuanian national poet and writer Vincas Kudirka. This coming autumn, on November 16, we will commemorate the anniversary of his early death. These two dates frame the Lithuanian Millennium Jubilee in a symbolic and meaningful way. During the short forty years of his difficult and challenging life, Vincas Kudirka emerged as a herald of the nation who awakened the people to rise up for their rights and freedoms, and inspired their solidarity and joint endeavor.

Today, I would like to mention yet another son of our nation who drew strength from the past and followed the path of unwavering faith. We will honor, posthumously, Archbishop Mečislovas Reinys - an outspoken defender of the Church and the rights of the faithful and an active member of the anti-Soviet resistance movement. As a servant of God, Mečislovas Reinys stood by his pastoral duties, safe-guarding faith, humanness, and Christian love and respect until his death in the Vladimir prison. I hope and believe that the process of his canonization will uplift the spirit of the Lithuanian people and strengthen us on the path of freedom that we have chosen.

On the day of the restoration of its statehood, Lithuania also pays respect to two of our contemporaries who are no longer with us: prosecutor Gintaras Sereika and Russian democrat Galina Starovoitova, who ten years ago fell in the fight for a more just and dignified life. They were assassinated for their uncompromising stand and convictions, for their fight against corruption and for their honest belief in democratic principles, ideals and values.

It was also today, sixty years ago, that the Council of the Movement of the Struggle for Freedom of Lithuania issued yet another declaration of February 16. Signed in a dark windowless bunker, it enshrined the ideals of independent Lithuania. I am deeply convinced that the values cherished and protected by the great sons of Lithuania who endorsed this declaration will be handed down to the young generation as distinct guidelines for building statehood.

I believe that the courage of those awarded today to stay their own self and their strong faith in genuine values will forever protect our freedom, illuminating it with true meaning. We are independent because our brothers and sisters pursued a path of freedom that is one and only and above personal interests and ambitions. This shared road of ours leads to a more promising future and stronger togetherness.

I would like to express my special gratitude to those of you who will be awarded the Life Saving Cross. Thank you for your courage and self-sacrifice in saving human life.

Thank you all once again!

Valdas Adamkus
President of the Republic of Lithuania