Lithuanians in Arizona:

Arizona Chapter of
Lithuanian American Community

Need For A Nationwide Organization

Right after World War II a new wave of Lithuanian immigrants started arriving in the U.S. They were born in Lithuania, the memory of the land of their birth, of the relatives, friends, and posessions they had to leave behind was still fresh in their minds. Most of them left Lithuania going west just a few miles ahead of the invading Soviet army coming from the east. They were political refugees. As grateful as they were for the possibility to come to the U.S., they found themselves in unfamiliar circumstances. To them English was a foreign language and they wanted to preserve their Lithuanian helanguage and culture, and to work for the liberation of Lithuania. To be more effective in achieving their goals, in 1951 they founded the Lithuanian American Community (LAC), a nationwide organization with chapters in many U.S. cities.

New Organization's Stated Goals

On November 18, 1951, Lithuanians living in United States and Lithuanian-Americans, wishing

·         to actively participate in the political life of the United States and to join in the struggle against international communism;

·         to contribute to the cultural life of United States with Lithuanian traditions and our national characteristics;

·         to promote feelings of kinship with Lithuanians outside of United States; and

·         to dutyfully support the struggle to free Lithuania and to help the Lithuanian nation,

decided to express their national solidarity as members of a new organization, the Lithuanian American Community.

Goals Are Still Valid

Although the world has changed drastically since 1951: Lithuania has gained its independence and the threat of international communism has lessened, many of the original goals are still very pertinent. We still want to celebrate and share our Lithuanian culture and traditions with others, we still need to help one another and to participate in the political life of the United States with our special concerns and insights.

LAC Becomes A Not-For-Profit Corporation

On January 10, 1989, Lithuanian-American Community took a major legal step and became incorporated in the State of Illinois as a not for profit corporation for educational and charitable purposes. Because of this step, donations to the Lithuanian-American Community became deductible from federal income taxes (federal tax ID #36-3625439).

Arizona LAC Chapter

During 1950's new Lithuanian immigrants started to show up in Arizona as well. Unable to find support for their political aspirations with members of the Lithuanian American Club, a small group of these newcomers decided to establish the Phoenix Chapter of the Lithuanian American Community in 1963. As the Chapter started to attract members from Tucson and other Arizona cities, the it was renamed the Arizona Chapter of the Lithuanian American Community, in 1980.

Key people in the establishment of the Arizona LAC Chapter were Prof. Padalis, Emilija Mačernytė Josen, Algis and Janina Rimavičius, and others. Emilija Josen, a former school teacher in Lithuania, was elected as the first president of the new Chapter and she headed the Chapter's governing board with some breaks from 1963 to 1977. During those breaks she was replaced by Marijonas Dambrauskas, Vytautas Mozartas and the former general of Lithuania's armed forces Vladas Mieželis. When Emilija Josen finally withdrew from her duties as chapter president, she was followed by

·         1977-1985: Vincas Ruseckas

·         1985-1988: Donatas Zakaras

·         1988-1992: Antonija Petrulis

·         1992-1995: Stasys Narkus

·         1995: Viktorija Zakaras

·         1995-1997: K. Paulius Žygas

·         1997-1999: Kazys Matonis

·         1999-2000: Danguolė Balceris

·         2000-2006: Rimantas Vaitkus

·         2006-2007: Algis Karsas

·         2007-now: Mark Shoban

LAC Chapter Board, membership, etc.

Lithuanian Independence Commemorations

Each year the Community organized several events in Arizona, the most important of which were commemorations of Lithuanian Independence (Feb. 16th). On a number of occasions the day began with the raising of the Lithuanian national flag in front of the Arizona capital in Phoenix. It continued in a church with a Lithuanian Mass. And finally moved to a hall for a two-part program. A typical Independence program included singing of the Star Spangled Banner and the Lithuanian National Anthem, salutations by representatives of local Latvian, Estonian and Ukrainian communities, reading of the Feb. 16, 1918, Act of Independence, a minute of silence to honor all who died for Lithuania's independence, reading of Arizona governor's proclamation designating Feb. 16th as Lithuanian Day in Arizona, and reading and adoption of a resolution urging the U.S. government not to recognize the legitimacy of the Soviet occupation of Lithuania and to work for Lithuania's liberation. Copies of the signed resolution were sent to the U.S. President and the Arizona members of the U.S. Congress. The first part of the program usually ended with a longer talk by an invited speaker. It was followed by Lithuanian food and cultural entertainment. To improve the quality of this entertainment, singing and dancing groups were invited from Los Angeles, San Diego, Denver or other cities to bolster the available local talent. When possible, Arizona political figures were invited to join the Independence Commemorations and were usually rewarded with a beautiful Lithuanian sash or an Amber Award.

Among the invited speakers were Landis Aden, Vitas Adomaitis, Danutė Bindokas, Vytautas Čekanauskas, Jonas Činga, lt. col. Kęstutis Eidukonis, Algimantas Garsys, Violeta Gedgaudas,Patience Huntwork, brig. gen. Tiiu Kera,Linas Kojelis, maj. Anne Krizanauskas, Almis Kuolas, Danutė Mažeika, Angelė Nelsas, , Marytė Newsom, Stasys Paltus, prof. Stanley Vanagūnas, Vytautas Vidugiris, dr. Vytautas Vygantas, and prof. K. Paulius Žygas.

Food was prepared by the hard-working and talented women members of the Arizona Chapter.

Cultural entertainment varied from year to year. Depending on availability, local and invited talent was used. Among the local performers: singing by the church chior, dancing by Arizona's Lithuanian folk dance group Saulė, poetry recitations by Sofija Palionis and Aldona Genčius; display of Lithuanian sashes and amber jewelry by Milda Kvedaras.

For many years Ona Metrikis organized and accompanied with a piano a variety of musical talent: local church chior; soloists Vidmantas Valatka, Akvile Ancha, Antanas Pavasaris, J. Čekanauskas, Christine Lindquist accompanied by Irene Kuniski, Albina Gedminas; Los Angeles duet – Sigutė Mikutaitis and Nijolė Sparkys, and the Los Angeles Men's Quartet; pianist Juratė Karosas; violinist Nerijus Paulionis.

Independence Commemorations required suitable facilities for more than 100 people. For many years they were held at the Ukrainian Hall in Phoenix. In 1991, when the rent price there became too high, Independence Commemorations were moved to the Knights Of Columbus Hall in Glendale, and in 1995 to the St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Sun City.

Lithuanian Studies

Soon after the establishment of Arizona LAC Chapter in 1963, Emilija Josen organized a Saturday school of Lithuanian Studies, where she herself did the teaching. At one time there were 15 children attending classes. After 3 years the number of students became too small to continue and the school was closed.

In 1983 new classes were organized, which were attended by 7 children. Later, Lithuanian studies became the duty of the parents themselves.

Cultural Activity

It took a few years to get to know the local cultural orgaizations and available possibilities, before the Chapter started to participate more actively in the local cultural scene (international folk art, Christmas tree, and Easter egg festivals) earning positive comments in the local press.

International Christmas Tree Exhibitions

Starting in 1983, Valley National Bank (later renamed Bank One) organized international Christmas tree exhibitions in its facilities. In time these exhibitions became true international festivals with ethnic food, national costumes, and folk dance performances. These festivals continued for about 15 years with Lithuanians represented by Viktorija Zakaras, Aldona and Bronius Morkys, Antonija Petrulis, Sofija and Stasys Narkus, Elena Barčius, Janina and Kazys Yourshis, Dalia Motiejūnas, Rūta Motiejūnas, Rima and Vytas Reklaitis, Aldona and Rimas Vaitkus, Gilanda and Kazys Matonis, Rita and Adolfas Martinaitis, the Aleksas, and Adelė Bartys. These exhibitions provided a great oportunity for Lithuanians to show off their straw ornaments, national costumes, ethnic food, and to describe Lithuanian Christmas traditions to reporters from the local newspapers and television.

Lithuanian Christmas Tree Events

When in 1999 the bank's management decided to discontinue the Christmas tree exhibitions in their facilities, LAC Chapter started a new tradition of Christmas Tree Luncheons at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish hall in Sun City in 2000. This luncheon was organized by Aldona Vaitkus. The hall was decorated by Gilanda Matonis, Audrone Bartys, and Antonija Petrulis. Dalia and Ruta Motiejunas prepared the food. Children were taught how to make Christmas ornaments by Ona Adomaitis, Elena Barcius, and Ilona Budinavicius. Ona Adomaitis also prepared a display of a traditional Christmas Eve table. Don Adamavich played Santa Claus with a bag of small gifts for the children in the hall. A reporter from the English Sun City newspaper photographed the event and afterwards wrote a nice article about Lithuanian Christmas traditions.

International Easter Egg Exhibitions

From about 1986 to 1999, Lithuanians participated in international Easter Egg Exhibitions in Valley National (Bank One) facilities. During this period Lithuanian Easter Egg displays were organized, Easter eggs supplied, and egg decorating methods demonstrated by Dorsey Dalton Petrulis, Milda Kvedaras, Rūta Kvedaras, Birutė Dirse, Gilanda Matonis, Rima Reklaitis, Sofija Palionis, Ona Adomaitis, Birutė Strouse, and Nancy Aleksa.

International Festivals

The City ofPhoenix also organized international festivals named Hello Phoenix (later: Heritage Fair) where Lithuanians participated with displays of amber jewelry and examples of traditional weaving. In 1976 the Lithuanian display organized by E. Racine received the highest praise. During 1987-1989 Lithuanian displays were organized by Viktorija Zakaras and Antonija Petrulis, assisted by Aldona Vaitkus, Milda Kvedaras, Birutė Dirse, Marija Edelis, Margareta Blazevičius, Dalia Motiejūnas, and Nora Burba. After a while these Festivals became very commercialized and Lithuanians stopped wanting to participate.

In Tucson, about 100 miles from Phoenix, there are international festivals called Tucson Meet Yourself. In 1997 Tucson Lithuanians participated with Lithuanian folk art. Aldona and Kostas Eidukonis contributed most of the display items. They were showcased by Nijolė Stunskys, Gintė Pečiura, ad Urtė Murza.

Political Activity

Use of information media

Many Lithuanian members of the Community had personally witnessed the Soviet occupation of Lithuania and wanted to inform the wider U.S. population about Lithuania's tragedy. Attempts to get articles published on that subject in the local English language newspapers were mostly unsuccessful, because most readers knew nothing about Lithuania and were largely uninterested. The situation improved somewhat when Viktorija Zakaras started working at the Arizona Republic newspaper office. She was able to get some articles about Lithuania into print. She was even able to get one veteran reporter to do a long article on the massive deportations of educated Lithuanians to Siberia in June of 1940, known to Lithuanians as The Terrible June.

Petitioning of political leaders

Members of the Community closely followed all news from occupied Lithuania, participated in demonstrations against the Soviet occupation, organized letter and telegram campaigns to U.S. Administration and Congressional leaders laying out the case against the occupation, sent delegations to meet with Arizona members of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Lithuanians received especially favorable hearings from Arizona Senators Dennis DeConcini, John McCain and Jon Kyl, who raised the issue of occupied Lithuania in Washington. Through the efforts of Community members, Lithuania's hardships and its fight for independence were raised in newspapers and on television and radio.

Demonstrations

On the anniversaries of The Terrible June, peaceful demonstrations with signs and flags were organized in Phoenix's city center. These would attract the local media and provide an opportunity to inform the public about the massive deportation of Lithuanians to Siberian work camps, where most of them perished.

Captive Nations Committee

Arizona LAC Chapter worked closely with the Captive Nations Committee, participating in its commemorations and demonstrations.

Simas Kudirka

A unique opportunity to tell the story of Lithuania's tragedy came in 1975 when Simas Kudirka visited Phoenix. He was the Lithuanian seaman who tried to defect by jumping off a Soviet fishing ship named Soviet Lithuania onto a U.S. Coast Guard vessel named Vigilant in November 1970 in Martha's Vineyard Sound. The free world was shocked when the American captain allowed the Soviets to forcibly return Simas Kudirka back to the Soviet ship. Due to diplomatic pressure and because Kudirka's mother was born in Brooklyn and he was granted U.S. citizenship, the Soviets released Simas Kudirka in 1974 and allowed him to leave the Soviet Union.

Decline of political activity

After Lithuania regained its independence in 1991 and became a member of the NATO alliance in 2004, Community's political activity subsided.

Social Activity

Picnics

Every year Arizona LAC organized two picnics in the Phoenix Mountain Park: one in the spring and one in the fall. To better serve the Lithuanians living in the Tucson area, some of the spring picnics were held in Tucson instead. Picnics were great for bringing local Lithuanians and their children to mix, socialize, and get to know one another. Picnic food: hot kugelis, sausages, and kraut, and cold drinks attracted many who did not participate in other events. Picnics were also an opportunity for the Chapter to earn some operating money for its treasury.

Donations

Arizona LAC Chapter made annual contributions from its treasury to help support various Lithuanian organizations and foundations, reducing its treasury to a minimum.

Lithuanians in Arizona:

Lithuanian Roman Catholic Mission

Before 1968

Rev. Antanas Bertašius, a priest who recently arrived from Lithuania, started work at St. Gregory's Parish in Phoenix in 1953. He also found time to provide pastoral services to local Lithuanians. But soon, in 1954, he was transferred to the El Paso diocese and for a long time Phoenix was without a Lithuanian priest.

Establishment of the Mission

Finally, in 1968, through the efforts of Justinas and Teofilė Šaulys, a Lithuanian Mission was established in Phoenix and Rev. Antanas Valiuška was assigned as its chaplain. In the fall of the same year a mission support committee was formed. Because Phoenix Lithuanians came from three distinct groups (old immigrants, new immigrants, and those who grew up in the U.S. or English speakers), all three groups were represented in the committee: chairman Justinas Šaulys represented the new immigrants, treasurer Romualdas Stasiūnas - the old immigrants, and secretary Betty Medzius - the English speakers.

Among the first supporters of the Mission were Leonardas Strikauskas, Jenny Petrošius, Betty Medzius, Justinas Šaulys, Emilija Josen, Marijonas Dambrauskas, Konstancija Rudaitytė, Romualdas Stasiūnas, B. Millius, Algis Rimavičius, Vytas Sinkus, J. Globis, Jonas Kranauskas, and L. Behnle.

On Sunday's after the Mass, local Lithuanians had an oportunity to associate with each other. Often Mass was followed by meetings, discussions, and other events.

From the very start, the Lithuanian Mission found a home in the very nice facilities of the Sacred Heart Home of The Little Sisters of the Poor) Rev. A. Valiuška was allowed to live there rent-free, which he did for about a year. The chapel within the spacious Home was used for Lithuanian Mass, funerals, Stations of the Cross, rosaries, choir practice and even meetings. The sisters even joined in Lithuanian activities. Sister Aimee often sang with the choir and solo, Sister Gabriele played on the organ, and Sister Teresa decorated the altar for the Lithuanian Mass.

Since the Sisters did not charge for the use of the chapel, Lithuanians showed their gratitude by participating in large numbers at events and bazaars organized by the Sisters. Lithuanians prepared food and lotteries for these events. Proceeds from these events helped the finances of the Home. Key organizers of the Lithuanian contributions were Vytautas and Lucija Mozartas, William and Angie Faber and Stanley and Sally Pudinas.

In 1969 the Lithuanian Mission started publishing a newsletter in Lithuanian named Arizonos Lietuvis ("Arizona's Lithuanian") with news of the Lithuanian parish.For English speakers a part, first prepared by Betty Medzius and later by Violet Kurilla, was in English. For a long time the newsletter was published by Leonardas Strikauskas, who donated his time and effort. The newsletter survived on the donations of the parishioners.

In 1969 Rev. A. Valiuška acquired a small house, because the Sisters needed more space for the old people they took care for. After a year, the house was slightly expanded, but it was still too small for the activities of the Mission. In 1973 a bigger house was bought, where meetings, choir practice and other activities could be accommodated.

On Feb. 15, 1970, when Lithuanians in Phoenix were celebrating Lithuanian Independence Day, Edward McCarthy, the new Bishop of Phoenix participated in the Lithuanian Mass with a nice sermon. The Mass was attended by bout 200 people. Music professor Aleksandras Aleksis, a visitor from Waterbury, CT, prepared the church choir to sing Lithuanian religious hymns and himself sang solo Panis Angelicus. After Mass the bishop met with Lithuanians and was presented with a gift of Lithuanian art.

1971 was a year of expansion for the Mission due to the arrival of more Lithuanians in Phoenix. Among them were Stanley and Marijona Druktenis, Marija Gilys, Joe and Ann Lalis, Petras and Jadvyga Maldeikis, Antanas and Ona Metrikis, Pijus and Adolfina Mickevičius, Bruno Steponaitis, Mačys and Z. Pagrandis, Jonas Šereiva, Veronika Usoris, Joe Biknius and others. They joined the activities of the Mission and the wider cultural activities of the local Lithuanian community. Ona Metrikis was a musicologist, she quickly took charge of the Lithuanian choir, and the quality of the singing during Mass started to improve. When Ona Metrikis moved to California, the leadership of the choir was taken by Sister Gabrielle, later by Evelyn Winters, and later yet by Rose Sanders.

Moves to Sun City and Glendale

After a number of years the city of Phoenix decided to build an expressway through the area and the Home operated by the Sisters was torn down. For several years until Rev.Valiuška moved to California, Lithuanian Mass was celebrated at the Sunland Memorial Park chapel in Sun City.

After 40 years of service in Indian-Mexican parishes in Tucson, on February 24, 1989, Rev. Romanas Klumbys was confirmed as the chaplain of the Lithuanian Mission. He moved to Sun City. Because of his good connections with Mexican parishes he was able to transfer the Lithuanian religious services to the Our Lady of Guadalupe chapel in the nearby town of Glendale, Arizona.

After retiring from papal service in the Vatican, Archbishop Paul Marcinkus moved to Sun City, Arizona in January, 1991. When Rev. Klumbys passed away on October 11, 1991, Archbishop Marcinkus assumed the pastoral duties at the Lithuanian Mission until his own death on February 20, 2006. Because the Archbishop did not accept any financial compensation for his service to the Lithuanian Mission, the Mission made substantial donations to the St. Casimir Lithuanian College at the Vatican in the Archbishop's name twice a year: on his birthday and on his name's day.

After the Archbishop's death, Lithuanian Mission stopped functioning.

Mission Support Committee

In the performance of his duties and in serving the Lithuanian public, the chaplain was assisted by members of the Mission Committee. The Committee was headed by (the list is incomplete):

·         1968 - 1971 Justinas Šaulys

·         1971 - ???? Petras Maldeikis

·         ???? - 1992 Antanas Ambraška

·         1992 - 1996 Ona Adomaitis

·         1996 - 1998 Aldona Klemka

·         1998 - 2006 Algis Kvedaras

Lithuanian Mass and other events organized by the Mission served the spiritual and social needs of the Phoenix area Lithuanians. Coffee and snacks after Mass was very popular. Other Lithuanian organizations (e.g. Arizona Chapter of the Lithuanian American Community) used these opportunities to hold their meetings as well.

From 1991 to 1997, the Mission organized Lithuanian Christmas Eve dinners.

In April of 1997, Mission organized the 50th anniversary celebration of Archbishop Marcinkus priesthood.

Deaths and illnesses continued to diminish the number of regular attendees. By the fall of 2000, the numbers were down to 15-20 and Lithuanian Mass became celebrated only twice a month. On some important holidays, however, the numbers would swell to as high as 40.

Lithuanians in Arizona:

Lithuanian Choir

With the start of Lithuanian church services at the chapel of the Sacred Heart Home of the Little Sisters of the Poor in 1068, a group of Lithuanian worshippers started to accompany the services with Lithuanian church hymns. Encouraged by Rev. A. Valiuška, the mymn singers started to form themselves into a choir, periodically getting together for choir practice. An Irish-American resident of the Home and a former professor of drawing and music at Temple University and aunt of Arizona governor Bruce Babbitt, Margaret M. Walsh, agreed to lead the choir and also became the first organist for the Lithuanian Mission. Although she knew no Lithuanian and her hearing was getting wore, Margaret Walsh was able to perform these duties for about two years. Some of the Sisters found it enjoyable to join in the singing. Sister Aimee sang solo and with the choir and Sister Gabrielle helped out on the organ.

The choir made a major step forward with the arrival in the Phoenix area of the Metrikis family in the spring of 1971. Mrs. Ona Metrikis was musically educated. She was an accomplished pianist, composer, and conductor. She took charge of the choir and soon the quality of the singing was greatly improved. The choir also expanded its repertoire. During Lent in 1972, the choir performed a concert of religous hymns. The performance included one of Ona Metrikis compositions "Hymn to St. Casimir." On 1973 Shrovetide the choir gave a concert in the Ukrainian Hall. The choir accompanied by Ona Metrikis on the piano also contributed to the cultural part of the Lithuanian Independence Commemoration.

The most active period in the life of the choir, however, came to an end, when Ona Metrikis moved back to Los Angeles in 1975.For a time the leadership of the choir was taken by Sister Gabrielle, later by Evelyn Winters, a resident in the Home and former pianist, and from September 1976 by choir member Rose Sanders.

Lithuanians In Arizona:

Dance Group "Saulė"

In 1999, through the efforts of Dalia Motiejunas and Aldona Vaitkus, a Lithuanian folk dance group called "Saulė" (or Sun in Lithuanian) was organized in Arizona. It began with veteran dancers living in the metropolitan areas of Phoenix, Tucson, and Casa Grande, but in time expanded to include a number of younger dancers. The original goal for the group's formation was to perform at the upcoming 11th Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Toronto on July 2, 2000. Dalia Motiejunas agreed to become the dancing instructor for the group and attended a week of intensive training at Dainava in Michigan in the summer of 1999. To practice dancing a location was found equidistant from Phoenix and Tucson - the American Legion hall in Florence, Arizona, and practice began in the fall of 1999. 

During a period of nine years (2000-2008) "Saulė" performed at a number of cultural events (see the partial list below). Eventually, however, dance instructor Dalia Motiejunas and several dancers moved away. Unable to find replacements, the dance group ceased to exist after participating at the Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Los Angeles on July 6, 2008. Practice for this festival was held at the Casa Grande home of Carol and Don Adamavich.

"Saulė" dancers in Florence, Arizona, in the spring of 2000: in the front row from the left are Siga Eidukonis, Aldona Vaitkus,Violeta Juodakis, Maryte Tallat-Kelpsa; Ruta Motiejunas, Antonija Petrulis, and Rima Reklaitis; in the back are Kestutis Eidukonis, Rimas Vaitkus, Rimtis Tallat-Kelpsa, director/instructor Dalia Motiejunas, Don Adamavich, Algis Motiejunas, and Vytas Reklaitis.

Arizona's "Saulė" in 2001.
(photo by Audrone Bartys)

Some events at which "Saule" performed

·         June, 2000: Performance for locals in Florence, Arizona

·         Jul. 2, 2000: 11th Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Toronto

·         Oct. 14, 2000: Tucson Heritage Experience Festival

·         Feb. 11, 2001: Lithuanian Independence Day Commemoration

·         Feb. 10, 2002: Lithuanian Independence Day Commemoration

·         Jul 3. 2004: 12th Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Chicago

·         Jul 6. 2008: 13th Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival in Los Angeles