May 22, military and civilian personnel of the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan PRT observed a minute of silence to honour the memory of Sgt. Arūnas Jarmalavičius who was killed on duty in Ghowr two years ago. At the camp's chapel candles were lit in the memory of the fallen soldier.
„It is sad that May 22 is known as the day of grievance in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. While on soldier's duty Sgt. Arūnas Jarmalavičius made the ultimate sacrifice - the one of his life. We will always remember him in our deeds, hearts and prayers", said Chaplain PRT-11 Maj. Remigijus Monstvilas in the sermon of the holy mass celebrated for Arūnas.
Sgt. A. Jarmalavičius was killed at the age of 34 on 22 May 2008 in a riot in Chaghcharan, capital of Ghowr. The killed peacekeeper served as rifleman of Infantry Guard Platoon of Headquarters Company of PRT.
By the President's Decree Sgt. A. Jarmalavičius was awarded posthumously with the Grand Cross of the Order of Vytis Cross and the National Defence System Medal for International Operations for courage and dedication in completing Lithuania's and NATO's tasks in Afghanistan.
On 18 March 2010 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius opened memorial plate for Sgt. A. Jarmalavičius in the PRT camp while on visit in Afghanistan. The plate was financed by comrades of Sgt. A.Jarmalavičius from the Lithuanian Grand Duchess Birutė Motorised Infantry Battalion where he served before the international mission.
Name of Sgt. A.Jarmalavičius was bestowed on the welfare club in the PRT camp on 16 May 2010.
Lithuanian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team of Ghowr based in Chaghcharan, provincial capital, is a joint military-civilian mission operating under the NATO's International Security Assistance Force. Lithuania took responsibility for the PRT of Ghowr province in summer of 2005. The main objective of the PRT mission is to assist the Central Government of Afghanistan to extend its authority throughout the province, to ensure security and to help built environment favourable for provincial reconstruction.
Currently eleventh rotation of Chaghcharan PRT based on the Lithuanian Grand Duke Kęstutis Motorised Infantry Battalion ensures security in Ghowr. The Battalion provides personnel for the PRT for the second time. A big part of troops of the current rotation also have experience from international deployment in the Balkan region and Iraq.
Along with around 150 civilians and military from Lithuania representatives of Denmark, Georgia, Japan, USA, Romania and Ukraine serve in the Lithuanian-led Chaghcharan Provincial Reconstruction Team.
PIO for PRT-11 Capt. Darius Toleikis.
Pictures from MoND archive:
Sgt. A. Jarmalavičius (holds the flag) in the PRT deployment ceremony.
Memorial plate for Sgt. A. Jarmalavičius, Chaghcharan PRT camp.
Sgt. A. Jarmalavičius' PRT welfare club.
