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"I was so fortunate to be in Lithuania on March 11, 1990.

My father, Joseph Kazickas, had been a long time US based supporter of the independence movement.He had many contacts with Sajudis as well as with other people in Vilnius and Kaunas who were working to break free of 50 years of communist oppression.   

In early March, Vytautas Landsbergis, head of Sajudis, urged my father and me to come to Lithuania as soon as we could. We suspected that something exciting was about to happen. And indeed it did. On March 11, after hours of debate members of Parliament passed the Act for the Reestablishment of Independence.

It was such an emotional moment especially when the hated hammer and sickle symbol of communism was covered up by a giant yellow, green and red Lithuanian flag. My father and I both wept and cheered.

We left the building about one o ‘clock in the morning. Hundreds of people were standing in the cold and rain waving flags, singing and shouting “Aciu,” thank you, to the government officials who had made this bold move of defiance.

I will never forget that day and never more proud to be a Lithuanian."

Photo:J urate and Juozas Kazickas at the Lithuanian Parlament March 11, 1990.

"Lithuania is free again. Applauds from the Lithuanians of the world, visiting from the USA, Canada and other countries."

Photo hanging in the halway of Parlament's III building in Vilnius, Lithuania.