The WWII veterans’ organisation, uniting those who fought on the side of the anti-Hitler coalition, stresses that members are grateful to Belarus for its care of veterans from Lithuania. Many have traversed Belarus to visit the battlefields of the 16th Lithuanian Division, with which many of them fought. Others are about to undertake the journey, recalling their days of fighting with the regular army or with partisan groups in Belarus. The Ambassador has learnt of their work in educating the younger generation in patriotic matters and their efforts to fundraise to help elderly veterans living alone on modest pensions. On Victory Day, ever more people come to Antakalnis Cemetery in Vilnius to pay their respects.
The Chairman of the Vilnius organisation of WWII veterans, Kostas Banevicius, has asked Mr. Drazhin to help organise a meeting in Vilnius for the heads of Belarusian veterans’ organisations. Tours of WWII battlefields in Lithuania could be arranged, with guests able to see how Lithuanian veterans live and how they celebrate memorable dates. Mr. Drazhin promises that all veterans’ wishes will be taken into account. “We may not be wealthy, but we’re dignified,” he notes. “Belarusians always help those who request aid. We want to preserve the memory of this war and its heroes, without falsifying events; accordingly, your words and memories are vital.”
