Miltaria, part 7 - commemoration of army day
Last week in my first report about Alytus I mentioned that November 23 in Lithuania is celebrated as an army day. Today at midday I traveled in Kaunas center and observed that something going on. Then I remembered that today is November 23. And I understood that I witnessed the official commemoration of army day here in Kaunas. So here are some impressions from the ceremony:
On November 23, 1918 Lithuanian government signed a decree about the establishment of the army. In 1919-1920 many conscripts were called for duty. But all they were volunteers. I also have some personal relations with this day: one of these volunteers was my grandfather - he not only fought but was critically injured, he had disabilities left from injuries, married very late and died rather young.
So as each year Lithuania on November 23 marks Army day. But according to our tradition military parades are held only once in decade - on the "rounded" dates. So since the army has been established in 1918 the next parade will be held in 2018 - on 100 year anniversary. Still long way to go :)
Today I saw only military order for solemn occasions. As usually such ceremonies in Kaunas are held in front of the Vytautas Magnus war museum:
For the event guards were placed near Freedom monument:
Solemn order:
Air force orchestra - the main musical "supporter" of the event (the headquarters of the air force are in Kaunas, navy in Klaipėda while defense headquarters - in Vilnius):
The main event of the ceremony was the official lifting of the Vytis Cross flag (Vytis Cross (Cross of Pogonia) order is the highest military order of this country and the second highest state award in this country while highest order is Vytautas Magnus order with golden chain. But if the Vytautas Magnus order is given for various outstanding achievements for the society and state (practice is bad since between 6 recipients of the highest award are all presidents of the country and the former president of Estonia Arnold Ruutell) Vytis Cross order is given only for the outstanding personal bravery defending the freedom and independence of the country. There are only 62 orders issued after 1991 and only 2 of them were issued not after the death. One order was symbolic - for the unknown soldier. And only one was given to foreigner - Andrey Sacharov - "for the personal bravery and highest moral standards defending the freedom of the Lithuania").
Flag is carried to the grave of unknown soldier and eternal fire:
The flag is lifted by those very few remaining officers-veterans of the prewar Lithuanian army:
Flag is going up:
They are returning back after lifting ceremony:
I am going to the nearby Vienybės square:
Here military organized small exhibition of military gadgets and techniques:
Various gadgets:
Teenager boys (and also girls but girls had another reason for interest :))) were interested in rocket propelled grenades, etc.:
Girls after the the brief communication with soldiers - returning with gifts :)))
Military police also showing something :))
First line of machines:
Various models of Humveys were the main participants of the event:
The most peaceful Humvey:))
Those Land Rovers are more horrours :))
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On November 23, 1918 Lithuanian government signed a decree about the establishment of the army. In 1919-1920 many conscripts were called for duty. But all they were volunteers. I also have some personal relations with this day: one of these volunteers was my grandfather - he not only fought but was critically injured, he had disabilities left from injuries, married very late and died rather young.
So as each year Lithuania on November 23 marks Army day. But according to our tradition military parades are held only once in decade - on the "rounded" dates. So since the army has been established in 1918 the next parade will be held in 2018 - on 100 year anniversary. Still long way to go :)
Today I saw only military order for solemn occasions. As usually such ceremonies in Kaunas are held in front of the Vytautas Magnus war museum:
For the event guards were placed near Freedom monument:
Solemn order:
Air force orchestra - the main musical "supporter" of the event (the headquarters of the air force are in Kaunas, navy in Klaipėda while defense headquarters - in Vilnius):
The main event of the ceremony was the official lifting of the Vytis Cross flag (Vytis Cross (Cross of Pogonia) order is the highest military order of this country and the second highest state award in this country while highest order is Vytautas Magnus order with golden chain. But if the Vytautas Magnus order is given for various outstanding achievements for the society and state (practice is bad since between 6 recipients of the highest award are all presidents of the country and the former president of Estonia Arnold Ruutell) Vytis Cross order is given only for the outstanding personal bravery defending the freedom and independence of the country. There are only 62 orders issued after 1991 and only 2 of them were issued not after the death. One order was symbolic - for the unknown soldier. And only one was given to foreigner - Andrey Sacharov - "for the personal bravery and highest moral standards defending the freedom of the Lithuania").
Flag is carried to the grave of unknown soldier and eternal fire:
The flag is lifted by those very few remaining officers-veterans of the prewar Lithuanian army:
Flag is going up:
They are returning back after lifting ceremony:
I am going to the nearby Vienybės square:
Here military organized small exhibition of military gadgets and techniques:
Various gadgets:
Teenager boys (and also girls but girls had another reason for interest :))) were interested in rocket propelled grenades, etc.:
Girls after the the brief communication with soldiers - returning with gifts :)))
Military police also showing something :))
First line of machines:
Various models of Humveys were the main participants of the event:
The most peaceful Humvey:))
Those Land Rovers are more horrours :))
counter widget