Video invitation (by 1st Sgt Spc Lukas Kalvaitis)
Everyone, residents and guests of Vilnius, big and small, are invited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in NATO “15 Years in NATO!” at noon on March 30 in Simonas Daukantas Square in front of the Ministry of National Defence. Top leadership of the country will greet the audience and the flags of Lithuania and NATO will be hoisted with participation of representatives of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, Seimas, Government, and foreign guests.
The Lithuanian Armed Forces Honour Guard Company will give a celebratory performance with gun discharges, the current NATO Air Policing Mission rotation of the Polish Armed Forces is expected to congratulate Lithuania with a fly-past in their F-16 fighter jets.
During the celebration a static display of military equipment and weaponry brought to Lithuania by our allies. 36 tone Boxer wheeled infantry fighting vehicle, Fenek armoured reconnaissance vehicle, and other equipment brought by the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group deployed in Lithuania several years ago will be available for viewing at Universiteto str. and in the square in front of the Ministry of National Defence.
The event will be conducted to the tunes of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Band, Trimitas State Wind Orchestra, and the Representative Wind Orchestra of the Ministry of the Interior, musical campaign for schoolchildren “What We Do Is For Peace” will be taking place at the same time. At 1300hrs a concert by the National Defence Volunteer Force Big Band and soloists and by the Kivi Lithuanian Children and Youth Centre Choir will begin, various creative studios for kids, or not only kids, will be available.
The Ministry of National Defence is inviting to mark this important date in Lithuania’s history throughout the country – by hoisting the Lithuanian and NATO flags, holding community commemorations or NATO days in the regions, and inviting members of the nearest Lithuanian Armed Forces unit or NATO allies to participate. More
After depositing the documents of ratification of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, U.S., on March 29, 2004, Lithuania became a full-fledged member of the Alliance that seeks to prevent military conflict and preserve peace for nearly one billion people. For 70 years since its establishment in 1949 members of the Alliance have been bound together by history, shared values, and objectives.
Everyone interested in a wider discussion about Lithuania’s NATO membership are invited to attend a public debate with Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas on March 26.
On March 28 at 1200hrs the flags of NATO and Lithuania will be solemnly hoisted in the Independence Square and an exposition commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation will be opened at Vitražai Gallery of the Seimas.
On March 29 at 1900hrs everyone is invited to attend a commemorative concert #WeAreNATO15 at the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Consolation (Savičiaus str. 13, Vilnius) where the jazz band of the National Defence Volunteer Force Big Band and Jurgis Brūzga, and the Diplomatic Choir of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will perform.
The anniversary of Lithuania’s membership in NATO will be celebrated on the Lithuanian seashore too – everyone in Palanga will be invited to come to the Palanga Sea Pier on March 31, at 1400hrs, where flags of Lithuania, European Union, and NATO will be solemnly hoisted and the Lithuanian Navy Band will perform. Everyone will also be able to familiarise with the activity of the NATO Force Integration Unit in Lithuania, view equipment, weapons and gear of NATO allies deployed in Lithuania and have a cup of military style tea.
The traditional and unique in our country run on the runway used by fighter aircraft, “Runway Run 2019”, held to mark the anniversary of Lithuania’s NATO accession, will take place on April 6 this year at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai. Numerous soldiers of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania, and rotational forces of NATO allies, as well as running fans of different ages typically take part in the event.
Our world is changing and NATO is changing with it. But some things remain unchanged: our commitment to one another endures, giving us the strength to overcome our differences and rise to any challenge. Standing with unity and resolve in defence of our values, NATO will remain a pillar of stability in an uncertain world for the next generations.
Photo credits: Sgt Spc Lukas Tamošiūnas
