On July 3 at midday Chief of Defence of Lithuania will solemnly return regalia of authority to the Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces in the Cathedral Square, Vilnius. Outgoing Chief of Defence Lt. Gen. Valdas Tutkus will farewell members of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and return regalia of command to the Commander-in-Chief of the Lithuanian Armed Forces President of the Republic of Lithuania H.E. Valdas Adamkus.
Solemn parade conducted to honour the outgoing General will include representation from the main divisions of Lithuanian Armed Forces: platoons of MIB „Iron Wolf" battalions, platoons from the Air Force, Naval Force, NDVF, Logistics Command, and Training and Personnel Command, a platoon of the Military Academy cadets, Honour Guard Company, and the Band of the Lithuanian Armed Forces will be present.
During the ceremony Lt. Gen. V.Tutkus will return regalia of command to the Commander-in-Chief and inspect the parade to farewell soldiers and combat flags of the divisions.
Following the traditions, command regalia of Lithuanian Chief of Defence are made of scepter, colours of the Armed Forces and insignia of the Chief of Defence. The latter will remain with Lt. Gen. Valdas Tutkus.
Traditional state return and confer of the regalia of command ceremonies are conducted according to the Statute on Parades and Military Ceremonies. Maj. Gen. Jonas Algirdas Kronkaitis returned commander's regalias to the President in an identical ceremony in 2004, and Maj. Gen. Jonas Andriškevičius - in 1999.
Members of the Seimas and Government of the Republic of Lithuania, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Armed Forces, Defence Attaches accredited to Lithuania and other guests will be present in the solemn event.
Point of contact: PR Officer for the Chief of Defence : Capt. Ričardas Uzelka, cell phone: 8 682 25 359.
