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Here she shares some highlights of her trip:

"What a week it was!

Since January, Neila Baumiliene and I had been planning special ways to commemorate this event. To my delight and great relief, through the hard work and dedication of many people, we had a very special week. 

The highlights: 

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018 – The Valdas Adamkus Pesidential Library  in Kaunas opened an exhibit on the “The Life of Joseph Peter Kazickas” with material gathered and organized by the family. Two room featured 6 panels depicting the highlights of his life  with photos and write-ups along with memorabilia and artifacts. These included his medals and honors, letters and speeches on behalf of freedom for Lithuania, his Bell and Howell  movie camera, even his tuxedo and a monogrammed shirt. A five minute video interview with President Adamkus played on a loop.

I was thrilled that President  Adamkus, who has limited his public appearances because of poor health and his wife Alma’s recovery from a bout of pneumonia, was able to come to the opening along with 50 invited guests. He spoke very eloquently about JPK, calling him one of his dearest friends and a role model. 

The family is very grateful to the Adamkus Library for this opportunity to acquaint more people about JPK’s extraordinary life and his contributions his beloved homeland.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14 – That evening, in the beautiful Vaidila Theater,  talented youngsters from all over Lithuania performed in a concert in memory of JPK.  Justina Aukselyte,  a professional violinist and friend of the family, found these children, ages 8 to 16, who played the piano  flute, violin, accordion, cello and also sang  before more than 200 invited guests (and many proud parents.)  

They were all terrific! Some had never performed before an audience but all displayed incredible poise and charm. Seven boys from the Vilnius Special Needs School brought the house down singing a selection of Lithuanian folk songs. 

My thanks to Birute Vizgirdiene who was the evening’s emcee and shared some of her memories of JPK, including the night he swept her away on the dance floor.

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018 -  A solemn mass in memory of JPK  was celebrated at St. Casimir’s Church followed by a concert with the glorious singing  of a children’s choir, men’s chorus and solos by a baritone and soprano, and organ music  performed by Professor Digrys nad Renata Marcinkute Lesieur. .  We also heard JPK’s voice that had been recorded by Lithuanian radio, reading from his autobiography, “Odyssey of Hope.” 

The combination of soaring sacred music and JPK’s  gentle voice recalling how as a young boy he prayed with his parents thanking God for His daily bread moved me to tears. As did Neila’s  tribute to JPK in the printed program. I am including it here again because  it was so beautifully written and focused on tevelis’ most special attribute – his  lifetime  of gratitude.

Later that day there was a small gathering of  Lithuanian Freedom Fighters where Vidmantas Vasiulaitis of the Damusis Diaspora Center spoke movingly about JPK, lamenting why such an  extraordinary person was not more honored in Lithuania where he devoted so much of his  talents and energy.

MONDAY, APRIL 16, 2018  - BIRTHDAY OF JPK. -  I went to Mass at the small chapel at Ausras Vartai and then to Antakalnis Cemetery  to visit the monument to Joseph and Alexandra.  A quiet time to reflect on their long blessed lives.  I remembered all the many birthday parties  over the years,  most of all JPK’s 95^th on Cat Cay.  How he loved to celebrate life’s milestones, those long speeches, his eloquence, and most of all, his many expressions of gratitude.

The exhibit on JPK’s life at the Adamkus Library  also highlights the Kazickas Family Foundation which continues his legacy of generosity and philanthropy.   The final panel ends with his quote from “Odyssey of Hope:” Life only has meaning when one is sharing good fortune with others and contributing to a better life for everyone.”

Truly words to live by.

I also met with Arminas Vareika, the intrepid director of the Basketball Power program to discuss the closing festivities in June and best of all,  to announce the expansion of a separate Girls Power program which is already generating great excitement. 

Neila and I went to one of Arminas’ motivational meetings  held at one of the conference halls of Zalgiris arena in Kaunas.  One of his charges who credited Basketball Power for turning his life around spoke to about 200 spellbound boys  just before they ran off to a professional basketball game, thanks to KFF.

I’d also like to welcome Agne Vertelkaite into the KFF family. She was born in Šiauliai, Lithuania, graduated from Vilnius University, and right after that moved with her family to Chicago, where she worked at the Lithuanian Consulate General as Cultural Affairs and Public Relations officer for 9 years. Almost a year ago she moved back to her roots and took on new projects, focusing on strengthening ties between people of Lithuanian descent everywhere in the world, as well as cultural initiatives. She was invaluable helping Neila and me make this last week a true success on special events.  You’ll hear more about her again soon.

A final note:  Our plan is to make the JPK exhibit a traveling educational experience, bringing it to libraries and schools around Lithuania. The first stop will be at the National Library in Vilnius where a conference on June 15-16 conference of scholars that will include a discussion of the contributions of the diaspora towards Lithuania’s freedom and independence.

In the fall of 2018 we will also celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the founding of KFF and hope to use that commemoration to inspire and educate other non-profits on successful philanthropy.

This centennial of Lithuania’s independence and JPK’s birth will truly be a year to remember. To be continued…"

Photo above: Jurate Kazickas with President Adamkus at the Presidential Library.

Photos from the concert credit: Robertas Riabovas