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Ninety eight years ago, February 16, 1918, an act, proclaiming the restoration of an independent State of Lithuania was signed.
John Kazickas, Dr. Joseph and Aleksandra Kazickas' youngest son, shares his father's memories about this significant day:
'Lithuanian indépendance on February 16, 1918 is significant to me as it marks the first step in gaining freedom and self determination for the Lithuanian people. When I think back on that date, I always think of my father being born that same year, his family exiled to Chernaya Padina in 1863, and the start of a long road back to freedom. My father always told the story about how as a child his mother would tell stories of a beautiful Lithuania where everything was clean, safe and abundant. They were going to move back and my father imagined an almost magical land unlike no other. It’s obvious that even through the hardship they faced and overcame in that desolate place in Russia, there was a tremendous pride in their heritage and a longing to reclaim their lives back in a free Lithuania.