“Partisan Honouring, Military and Public Unity Day is one of the most important holidays of the National Defence System. In the security situation we have today we need a powerful armed forces more than ever, and public trust and support is one of the most necessary weapons that gives the armed forces bravery and resolve,” Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis says.
According to Chief of Defence Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas, the festival is is a type of tribute to friends of the Lithuanian Armed Forces – to people who are fascinated by national defence, military service and the idea of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
“The meaning of this celebration is to honour those who fought for a free Lithuania and to show for the public what protectors and defenders of Lithuania’s independence and freedom are today, how and with whom they are preparing for national defence and take part in military missions outside the country,” Chief of Defence says.
Organisers of the festival promise a military hustle of large scale – up to several tens of military tents will be put up in Alytus Youth Park where representatives of all services of the Lithuanian Armed Forces will present their branches, offer a variety of entertaining tasks to young and old, demonstrate arms, equipment and gear, answer questions. The festival-goers will be able to see Hammer (HMMWV) military armoured all-terrain vehicles, 36-ton Boxer Wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and a 56-ton Leclerc tank. Military equipment of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group in Lithuania will have its doors and hatches open for viewers.
Aside from army equipment used on land on display, the public will be greeted by flybys of Portuguese and Spanish pilots conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states.
The audience will also be able to see military campaigns and smell smoke and gunpowder of an enacted battle. Two military episodes will be shown: members of Grenadierius military history club will re-enact a fierce fight between the Green Brothers and NKVD stormtroopers from “War after War” period, and soldiers of the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion will act out a contemporary military operation.
After a break of two years the celebration will again include a reconstructed bunker of partisans and live commentary from historians on partisan commander Adolfas Ramanauskas-Vanagas and other Freedom Fighters.
Other state agencies and organisations related to national security and defence will also be represented at the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ celebration: Lithuanian Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Customs of the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union, National Transplant Bureau, etc.
Military and patriotic pieces of music will be performed by the Lithuanian Land Force Band, Žalvarinis and Thundertale bands.
The tradition to celebrate Partisan Honouring, Military and Public Unity Day dates back to Armed Forces and Society Unity Day in the inter-war. The celebration was first held in 1935 through the endeavour of several soldiers and public organisations. Its promotion said: “cultural life and prosperity of a country can only thrive if its rear is protected by a strong armed forces whose luck is a vital part in every citizens life.”
Tentative schedule of “We are You!” festival
19 May 2018, Saturday, Alytus
0900hrs thanksgiving mass for Lithuanian partisans and freedom fighters at St Guardian Angels Church in Alytus.
1015hrs march from St Guardian Angels Church to Angel of Freedom Square.
1030hrs tribute to partisans and freedom fights in Angel of Freedom Square.
1115hrs March to Alytus Sports House. Lithuanian Armed Forces Honour Guard Company, Lithuanian Land Force Band march to the square near the Sports and Recreation Centre.
1200hrs Partisan Honouring, Military and Public Unity Day events in the square near the Sports and Recreation Centre.
1215hrs Programme by the Lithuanian Armed Forces Honour Guard Company.
1230–1700hrs Time for visiting weaponry, equipment, gear, logistical displays of branches of the Lithuanian Armed Forces (or take part in an obstacle game or military task with future soldiers), presentation of NATO units, conscript and volunteer service in the square near the Sports and Recreation Centre and Youth Park.
1700hrs Final concert: Žalvarinis folk-rock band and Thundertale heavy metal band.
