On May 29 formal homecoming ceremony for Lithuanian military contingent redeployed after the mission in Afghanistan took place in Panevėžys, Freedom Square.
"You have done an excellent job. At the NATO Summit in Chicago I returned from a week ago I saw that each of you have been Lithuania's ambassadors in NATO. The contribution of each of you into the security of Afghanistan is a contribution to the security of Lithuania", said Minister Rasa Juknevičienė in a welcome address.
Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen Arvydas Pocius thanked the peacekeepers for excellent performance of tasks: "Our NATO allies are now sure that wherever Lithuanians are deployed, the mission will be completed", Chief of Defence stated.
US Ambassador in Lithuania HE Anne E. Derse thanked the troops for dedication and devotion. "Although your mission is a demanding one, it is vital for both of our countries and security of the entire world", US Ambassador said.
The homecoming ceremony was held for the Lithuanian peacekeepers who returned after a half-year deployment in the 14th shift of Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT-14), approximately 20 Lithuanian and US troops whew re deployed with the Police Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team (POMLT) led by Lithuania, and military who served across NATO ISAF commands in Afghanistan.
Members of the contingent received medals for deployment on multinational missions, decorations of the Chief of Defence and the Chief of the Joint Headquarters, and others.
The ceremony was also attended by Ambassador of Georgia in Lithuania George Kerdikoshvili, actin Land Force Commander Col Sergejus Draščiukas, Chief of Joint Staff Col Vilmantas Tamošaitis, Member of Parliament Antanas Matulas, mayor of Panevėžys Vitalijus Satkevičius, Defence Attaché of Ukraine Capt (N) Dmytro A. Donskoi, families of the troops and other guests.
PR Advisor to the Minister of National Defence Ugnė Naujokaitytė, cell phone 00370 640 453.
Photos by Eugenijus Žygaitis
