The victim of Ukrainian fighters – in the memorial oak tree

The prehistory of the groves

« Just as the acorns turn into an oak tree, a powerful and strong -symbolizing tree, today the work of everyone together will turn into a meaningful story. One oak is a witness of the century, and the oak tree is a sign of commemoration and strength of the Ukrainian war victims and the strength of the nation. » Lithuanian oak groves dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Ukrainian war.

The first 3.6 thousand. The roots of the tree in Šilagiris Forest District, Lekėčiai eldership, alongside the main road Šakiai -Kaunas, in 2023. in April. The oak tree was planted by President Gitanas Nausėda, together with the first state lady Diana Nausėdienė, the fifth, seventh and heart President Valdas Adamkus, and the community of the « Oak of Kindness ».

Growing: The Memorial Oak of Ukraine’s Victims was supplemented by 1 thousand. new oaks. (Photo by Edgar Cickevich)

The skeptics were sharp at that time. Oak was predicted by rapid death, contrary to these words, Juozas Dainelis, Vice President of « Kindness Oak ».

« I had heard sayings that the oak tree was scared. It is not the sake, the dear ones, if anyone would like it because it was watered with the blood of Ukrainians, » Dainel’s words were prophetic.

Two years later, the oaks were successfully stalled into the sky. Next to it was the monument that was raised here in the same year – a stone found in Lekėčiai forests. The boulder revealed the true size as it caught his unusual color, when he started digging. 26 tons of weight loss had to be pulled by special equipment and transported by special transport.

« Boulder is a red color. Similar to flames, symbolizing the blood of the dead fighters. J. Dainelis combined it with the Ukrainian Embassy, » Juozas Kriaučiūnas, director of Autokausta, doubted that the monument had not only turned into a symbol of the dead Ukrainians, but also to cherish what we have. According to J. Kriaučiūnas, the desire for freedom is not the only similarity of Lithuania and Ukraine. Both countries are associated with the historical territory of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Both countries are bound by one and the same enemy.

Meaning: Oak, according to J. Kriaučiūnas, not only a symbol of the dead Ukrainians who died, but also a reminder to cherish what we have. (Photo by Edgar Cickevich)

« We have more similarities than differences. We are like one nation, » said the director of Autokausta.

Gave the promise to take care

At noon on Thursday, another monument – a memorial plaque – was erected in the Oak Oak Oak Oak. For those who come, it will remind that the nineteenth Government of the Republic of Lithuania contributed to the planting, but also by the work. Together with other guests of the celebration, they planted 1 thousand. Oak and 20 nominal trees.

« We are proud of the heroism of the Ukrainians. We want to make sense of their sacrifice and tell future generations. It is great that the country’s government also contributed to the idea, » Dainel was delighted that eleven ministers with Prime Minister Gintautas Paluck came to Lekėčiai on the agreed day. The head of the Government was given the first oak tree. Further one after another, the Minister of the Environment Povilas Poderskis, Minister of Economics and Innovation Lukas Savickas, Minister of Energy Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, Minister of Finance Rimantas Šadžius, Minister of National Defense Dovilė Šakalienė, Minister of Culture Šarūnas Birutis, Minister of Social Security and Labor Inga Ruginienė Jakubauskienė, Minister of Education, Science and Sports Raminta Popovienė, Minister of Justice Rimantas Mockus, Minister of Foreign Affairs Kęstutis Budri, Minister of the Interior Vladislav Kondratovich, Lands of the Minister of Economy Ignas Hofman, Chancellor of the Government Laimonas Rudis. Other politicians also helped plant them.

« Oaks will green, grow and remind us that we are all responsible for ourselves, our state and peace in Lithuania, Ukraine and worldwide. This alley is dedicated to government members, which shows its attitude to support Ukraine, strengthen the country’s security and defense. Oaks, ”said Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, a member of the European Parliament’s Socialist and Democratic Advanced Alliance, who left her footprint – a nominal oak tree in Giraitė two years ago. Curtained and maintained significantly upwards.

Word: Prime Minister Paluck (right) gave promise to take care of the oak tree and provide assistance to Ukraine. (Photo by Edgar Cickevich)

« Planting is the easiest job. To keep up to grow and prosper like Lithuania is a great responsibility. Thank you to those who organized this initiative, I am glad that my colleagues have not been frightened and agreed. It will not be resolved.

We are proud of the heroism of Ukrainians. We want to make sense of their sacrifice and tell future generations about it.

Combined like -minded people

The oaks were planted not only by members of the nineteenth government, but also by other initiative.

« Today, a lot of people gathered in Lekėčiai, from the prime minister to party chairmen. It shows how important it is to support Ukraine. It shows that people care about, » said Šarūnas Šukevičius, a Member of the Seimas, enjoyed the idea of ​​the Memorial Oak of the Ukrainian war victims.

Rimantas Lekavičius, Deputy Head of Kaunas State Musical Theater for culture and general affairs, was also second to him, at the same time, in just a few steps, he waving with Antanas Paduvietis parish pastor Evaldas Vitulskis.

« The roots of the oak penetrate deep into the land of our country, forming an integral unity with it. So here, when planting oaks, we are in communion. What does oak mean to me? Like every Lithuanian, it is a precious tree. Strength, unity, sacredness. Lithuanians started praying and singing, ”R. Lekavičius did not doubt that after the work the song would flood and leaks.

Two years ago, after planting a nominal oak on the opposite side of the grove, Kaunas district mayor Valerijus Makūnas injected at least a few more seedlings at noon at noon. It did it with a quick and skilled hand.

« I was planting the first oaks while still working at school. Later I repeatedly did it with the Kaunas district. It would be difficult to count how much I planted in my lifetime, but certainly not one and two, » asked Makūnas, who remembered the words of the foresters. – Location, soil. Of course, it is equally important to do everything with love. This applies to anywhere. ”

More than oaks

« Oak of Kindness » is a well -known organization in Lithuania, 2006. founded in Vilkija. Now the flag of the gathering is carried by doctors, lawyers, academics, businessmen and politicians. The organization has its own coat of arms, commemorative medals, special t -shirts and green -yellow scarves, which the members of the necks are over the holidays. The most honorable member of the gathering, joining him in 2012. – President V. Adamkus.

The whole: those who participated in the celebration did not doubt that not only the soil, but also the feeling of planting a tree is important to the oak. (Photo by Edgar Cickevich)

The gathering is organizing and actively involved in environmental projects, nurturing the traditions of good neighborhood and communion. One of the most famous projects of this gathering is the Ąžuolynas in Šakiai district, which currently grows about 3.6 thousand. Oak, planting. The campaign was dedicated to the 600th anniversary of the Battle of Grunwald at that time. to honor members of the Polish delegation in the plane crash.

According to Valdas Pacevičius, president of the gathering, the biggest dream is that not only the members of the gathering and all the people of the good will, but every Lithuanian instead of each cut tree planted under the oak. Then the hymn and the words of the well -known song « The Oaks of Lithuania will be green … » will become a reality.

“Next year, the » Oak of Kindness « will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the anniversary. During this period, our gathering, which is connected by about 100 families from different corners of Lithuania, planted more than 20 thousand. oaks. Three large woods were planted, one -piece oaks, ”V. Pacevičius invited to do good even without members of the gathering.