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Opening of the Reagan Memorial at the Mūšia Partisans’ Park
16 September 2005
Media event: media representatives are invited to participate. The event will take place at 12.00-14.00 h at Mūšia Partisans’ Park (6th kilometer going from Ukmerge on Utena/Zarasai road, 3rd kilometer after turning towards Utena from the Vilnius-Panevezys highway. Partisans’ Park is on the left side of the Ukmerge-Utena/Zarasai road.). Please call to register.
On Sunday, 18 September 2005, there will be a ceremony at Mūšia Partisans’ Park to open and consecrate a wood cross monument in honor of President Ronald Reagan.
After the Mass by Kaunas Archbishop Sigitas Tamkevičius planned to begin at 12.00 h and the consecration of the whole Partisans’ Park, the guests will be invited to the Reagan Cross where Monsignor Alfonsas Svarinskas and Mr. Thomas Kelly, Deputy Chief of Mission of the United States to Lithuania, will deliver brief speeches. Mr. Kelly will present an original letter from Mrs. Nancy Reagan to Monsignor Svarinskas.
After the dedication ceremony of the memorial for President Reagan, the delegation will move on to consecration of the monument for five of the Vytis’ County Lithuanian partisans.
MEP Professor Vytautas Landsbergis and Major General Jonas A. Kronkaitis will also deliver short speeches, followed by a concert of the military orchestra to close the event. "Military" porridge and hot tea will be served.
Monsignor Svarinskas was arrested and deported by Soviet authorities for his principled stand in defending the practice of his faith. He was held for over 8 years in Siberia and was in exile even longer. He credits his release to former U.S. president Ronald Reagan's letter to Michael Gorbachev demanding Svarinskas's release.
In her letter to Monsignor Svarinskas, Nancy Reagan said:
Begin quote
Dear Monsignor Svarinskas,
I am delighted to send my best wishes to you and the people of Lithuania as you dedicate the Wood Cross monument in memory of my husband.
It was my husband’s dream that all the people of the world would come to enjoy the blessings of freedom. At the White House on the 30th commemoration of Captive Nations Week he said, “America will never forget your plight, and we will never cease to speak the truth. Your struggle is our struggle; your dream is our dream. And one day you will be free.” His dream has come true, and he would feel honored and humbled to know that the people of your great nation will remember him in this way.
Please extend my deepest gratitude to the people of Lithuania for the honor you are bestowing on my husband.
Sincerely,
Nancy Reagan
End of quote
