November 23, Lithuanian Armed Forces Day, was marked with a festive line-up of the Lithuanian Armed Forces personnel on the Cathedral Square in Vilnius. Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas gave a congratulatory address to the troops thanking them for the support in the efforts to manage the COVID-19 and the irregular migration crises.
“Today may thanks goes to those who are prepared to lay down their today for the tomorrow of all of us. We must remember, be proud and pay the honor every day to the sons and daughters of Lithuania who swore to protect and defend our state from whatever the threat arises.
Our servicemembers have stood united to assist the healthcare system in managing the threat of the COVID-19 spread. And today they are on the front lines of a hybrid warfare, protecting not just Lithuania but the European Union as a whole from the attempts to undermine and weaken the unity that has been built over decades,” said Minister.
A. Anušauskas underscored that Lithuania had a strong, well-equipped and professional Armed Forces, modern weaponry, and more allied support that the country had ever had over its history. He said, however, there was always room for improvement.
“I have faith that we can do even more and even better: by working on strengthening our international commitments, making the internal processes of the defence system more effective so that they respond to the needs of the Armed Forces to the maximum, and by improving the public resilience to modern threats by means of civic education.”
The line-up formed by platoons from every service and military unit of the Lithuanian Armed Forces was reviewed by top national civilian and military leadership. Following the line-up, Lithuanian troops and troops of Lithuania’s allies deployed in Lithuania paraded down Gediminas Avenue to Independence Square.
Ministry of National Defence and Armed Forces leadership attended the Holy Mass at the Lithuanian Armed Forces Church of St Ignatius prior to the line-up event.
Photo credits: MoD/G.Maksimovicz-Alkema
