Six post-war giants

Over the past 20 years I have got acquainted with many Lithuanian-Americans. There are numerous I could have mentioned, but let me at least concentrate on six fine individuals who have made a truly great contribution to their home country. All six are Lithuanian-Americans who have contributed substantially from their land-volatile positions during the post-war years, and over the last 20 years also from inside Lithuania.

One of them was even president for two periods, H.E. President Valdas Adamkus. When I met him at his presidential office in Vilnius in 2005, he concluded the meeting by saying: "I have been fighting continuously for my country, both during and after World War II, from exile and on Lithuanian soil. Yet, after all these years, I must admit that I feel like an outsider in my own country."

Sad words, but unfortunately indicative of how the Lithuanian-Americans often are received when they return home to Lithuania.

Six prominent giants who fought for their
homeland from exile positions in the U.S.

Valdas Adamkus. President of the Republic of Lithuania for the periods 1998-2003 and 2004-2009. Lithuanian-American who is still actively working for his home-land. Now living in Vilnius, Lithuania.	$Description: C:\Users\Aage\Pictures\2010-10-30\IMG_4219.JPG$ Regina Narusiene. Lithuanian-American attorney-at-law. Chairwoman of the World Lithuanian Community. Former leader of the Lithuanian American Community. Lives in Vilnius and Chicago.	Jonas Kronkaitis. Lithuanian-American general and Vietnam veteran who was Lithuania's defense chief and champion of a corruption-free Lithuania. Lives in Vilnius and Washington.
Vytautas J. Sliupas. Lithuanian-American engineer with a career in the U.S. and globally. Constantly active in culture, politics, agriculture issues and more in his home country Lithuania. Lives in California.	$Description: C:\Users\Aage\Pictures\2011-10-19\001.jpg$ Juozas Kazickas. Lithuanian-American businessman, self made multi-millionaire and philanthropist. Founder of the communication company Omnitel in 1991.Lives in Vilnius and Florida.	Stan Backaitis. Lithuanian-American engineer with a career in the U.S. transport ministry. Increasingly active in energy issues and much more in his homeland Lithuania. Lives in Washington.

More about US-Lithuanians in Section 11

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