Andris Jonas Dunduras

Firstly- Everyone needs to understand the facts about why things are the way they are with the crypt before making baseless statements. Here are the basics:

#1 The crypt remains the property of the Smetona family, and they are very conservative. The decision to repatriate the remains of President Smetona and Sofija Smetoniene are theirs, and nobody else's. From what I've heard, they have declined all offers of such a transfer, and probably aren't even open to dialogue about it. Read on for the reasons..

#2 We must understand that the Smetona regime was a nationalistic (Lithuania first) one, which would be VEHEMENTLY opposed to: A) All elements of communism still present in the Lithuanian government today. These people would have been public enemy #1 during Smetona's rule. B) Lithuania's membership of the European Union is completely contrary to the ideals of Smetona's movement also. C) This is just the tip of the iceberg... we also have terrible poverty, graft, corruption, racketeering by the soviet style nomenclature that still exist in all levels of government (even if in name only), mass exodus and brain-drain by those whose dreams have been shattered by those bloodsuckers, the list goes on... Until the last one of these traitors are gone from power, I think there is ZERO chance the remains will be repatriated, nor would it be appropriate. Take this as a quiet sign that Lithuania still has a long way to go until it achieves the same level of independence and self-determination it had under Smetona.

#3 The crypt is indeed very much visited. You see no flowers on the wall because the family always wanted to avoid it becoming a pilgrimage site, however those wishing to pay quiet respects and a moment of reflection on Lithuania are encouraged to do so. It is that way for a reason. My grandparents and thousands of others who died in exile are buried nearby. No visit is complete without stopping at the mausoleum afterward- I do it, and so do many others.

Most of us in Cleveland's Lithuanian community are aware of these matters relating to the Smetona family crypt, and now you are too. If somebody doesn't know the facts, they should ask, or do a little research instead of proceeding to post meaningless blatherings on their blog.

Thanks for reading, and share with others!

Andris Jonas Dunduras
Cleveland, Ohio, USA