Lithuanian American Community in Cleveland
by Dr. Viktoras Stankus
May, 2021

Lithuanian American Community in Cleveland - A few highlights of the role of Cleveland Lithuanians in the development and growth of the Lithuanian American Community
By Dr. Viktoras Stankus, LAC Cleveland Chapter VP of lnformation

On Feb 16 2018 the V16 100 Years Celebration at City of Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson's Mayoral Chambers with the V16 Lithuanian delegation : Front row, left to right : Virginija Motiejuniene; Loretta Gudeniene; Ruta Degutiene, Cleveland Lithuanian Club president ; Dr.Zita Mascinskiene; Nomeda Vucianiene , chair, LAC Ohio District. 2nd. row : Darius Tuskenis ; Valerie McCall, Cleveland Mayor's Chief of Government and International Affairs; LAC Cleveland Chapter VP of Information, Dr. Viktoras Stankus ; Lithuanian Honorary Consul, Ingrida Bublys (Bubliene) ; His Honor, Cleveland Mayor, Frank G. Jackson ; LAC Cleveland Chapter President, Algis Gudenas ; Vincas Taraska; Rasa Taraskiene; Alexandra Kudukis; Sondra Vaicikauskiene .

Cleveland's Fertile Soil

The 30,000 Lithuanian Displaced Persons that arrived in the USA,1949-1951 ,but some already in 1948, arrived holding on to the concept of a World Lithuanian Community (Pasaulio Lietuviu Bendruomene) but the leaders of the earlier established Lithuanian American institutions like ALTas ( American Lithuanian Council), and especially the chief ediitors of the Chicago Lithuanian newspapers Draugas, Naujienos were sceptical and not receptive to the newcomers' proposed orgnanization, the Lithuanian American Community of the USA,LAC, that would encompas all Lithuanian Americans under its umbrella. But some prominent American Lithuanian leaders, among them respected Clevelanders Kazys Karpius and community activist Pijus J. Ziurys lobbied for a LAC ( LAC Yearbook: JAV LB Trys Desimtmeciai, 1982 , Franciscan Press, Brooklyn, N.Y.) In fact, Karpius who was instrumental in founding the predecessor organization of ALTas, left ALTas in protest for its opposition to a new arivee in America, President Smetona of Lithuania, that Karpius had invited to reside in Cleveland. Smetona set the tone to restore Lithuania's independence meeting with president Roosevelt., continued his efforts till he perished from a suspicious fire in his apartment in Cleveland. in 1944. And Karpius had been part of a delegation at the White House , imploring president Franklin Roosevelt to uphold Lithuania's independence.

Karpius and his views were well known to American Lithuanians . He came to the USA in 1909, and became a typesetter and reporter for the South Boston newspaper " Keleivis". In Brooklyn, N.Y. he worked for "Vienybe Lietuvininku", and on the staff of "Tevyne", a weekly newspaper published by the Lithuanian Alliance, Susivienijimas Lietuviu Amerikoje- SLA, in N.Y. He was also a correspondent for the Chicago "Draugas". In 1914 he was invited to Cleveland to be on the staff of the Lithuanian newspaper "Dirva", and then served as its owner and editor till 1948., when he ceded the paper to the new Lithuanian immigrants, who were open-minded regarding a LAC forming in the USA. And he aided them in developing LAC. But he stayed on at Dirva for a number of years as manager , helping them to publish and navigate " Dirva"( JAV LIetuviai, Vilnius 2002 ; Encyclopedia Lituanica, So. Boston, 1973).

Feb, 17 2018 , Cleveland LAC chapter's 100 yr. Celebration of Lithuania's restored Independence for the greater Cleveland public at Cleveland State University Auditorium, Finale. On stage: EXULTATE Cleveland Lithuanian Choir, Rita Cyvaite - Klioriene, director ; Cleveland Lithuanian Folk Dance Group- SVYTURYS, Ausrine Sirvinskiene and Egle Zukauskiene, directors; Montreal Lithuanian Choir BALSAS, Aleksandras Stankevicius and Kristina Klioryte , directors; Toronto Lithuanian Youth Ensemble GINTARAS ,Romas Jonusonis,director, Jurgita Slatkiene, Vida Kairiene, Kassandra Kulnyte-Douglas, Vilija Ycaite, Ramona Kaminskaite-teachers ;VOLUNGE-Toronto Lithuanian Choir, Dalia Skrinskaite-Viskontiene , director , Danguole Radtke, assistant, Ilona Beres , choir's accompanist . The CHILDREN: Cleveland SVYTURYS and Toronto GINTARAS dancers.

The concept of a Lithuanian American Community of the USA was spelled out by concerned Lithuanian Americans in the Act (Aktas) promulgated Nov. 18 , 1951 N.Y., N.Y.. A transitional LAC Temporary Organizing Committee (Laikinasis Organizacinis Komitetas) was formed 1951-1955. It then elected a National Council (Taryba) which elected the first LAC National Executive Committee(Centro-Krasto Valdyba) 1951-1958, and located it in friendly, pro LAC Cleveland., its chairman, Stasys Barzdukas, who from the start supported the formation of a LAC.

A giant of the LAC, Clevelander Barzdukas was a Lithuanian language scholar, pedagogue,Lithuanian langu\uage teacher, who was already chairman of of the first local Cleveland LAC chapter (Apylinke) established around St. George's Lithuanian parish at Superior and E. 65th in 1952, per guidelines of the Temporary Organizing Committee ,when he was elected chairman of the first LAC National Executive Committee, he was also elected chairman of the 2nd National Executive Committee, also in Cleveland 1958-1961.Barzdukas served as chairman of the LAC National Council (Taryba) 1961-1964, and chairman of the Lithuanian World Community (PLB) 1969-1973 . He was instrumental in founding the Community's "Pasaulio Lietuvis " (World Lithuanian) magazine that became the the voice of the World Lithuanian Community , and was its editor 1963-1975. Other Lithuanian Clevelanders would follow his dedicated example and work on behalf of the LAC. and Lithuania.

And an inspiration to Lithuanians, Clevelanders , Americans, people world wide was the saga of Barbara Armonas as told in her book, "Leave Your Tears in Moscow", as told to Cleveland engineer A. Nasvytis, Tranlated into a number of languages,the story serialized in Life Magazine, first published in book form in 1961. Barbara was a Cleveland Lithuanian housewife, stranded pregnant in Lithuania when the Soviets occupied Lithuania in 1940 and would not allow her to leave for America. Later they would exile her and her now born son to Siberia, in detention till 1960.The undaunted efforts of her husband John (Jonas) and her daughter Donna in Cleveland ultimately secured her release to the USA.

An inspiring story after Barbara Armonas saga was the plight suffered in fortitude by Benediktas Butkus.The Soviets deported him from Soviet occupied Lithuania in June, 1941 to 27 years of inprisonment in the Gulag. But the steadfast perseverance in Cleveland of his wife Prane, his daughters Nijole and famed Lithuanian soloist Aldona Butkute-Stempuzis, and his son Raimondas Benediktas -the son Butkus never knew he had- and US Congressional intervention, Butkus was allowed to join his family in Cleveland in 1967. Butkus' diary documenting the brutal Soviet repression "Laisves Netekus" (Having Lost Freedom) was published in Lithuania in 1990.

Meanwhile a second LAC Cleveland chapter (Apylinke) 1958- 1982 , was founded, clustered around the newer Our Lady of Perpetual Help Lithuanian parish at Neff Rd. and E. 185th St.. The chapter's long term active chairman was Povilas Miksys, and later a very young Ingrida Stasaite ( later as Mrs. Bublys,the future Lithuanian Honorary consul) would serve as a dedicated member. The two chapters started a merging process in 1971. From 1971-1982 the merged chapter's earnest chairman was Jurgis Malskis. And LAC member Dr. Stankus was part of America's 200th birthday Bicentennial Celebration in Cleveland, and organized an extensive exhibition of Lithuanian culture, that also showed some notable Lithuanian contributions to America, and a Lithuanian arts program at the historic main Cleveland Public Library downtown.

Raimundas (Ray) Kudukis, was a Cleveland engineer and the Utilities Director of the City of Cleveland appointed by Republican mayor Ralph Perk ( of Czech descent, a great friend of Lithuanians who founded the American Nationalities Movement which endorsed freedom for the Captive Nations) and recognized for his role in the Republican party, through which he promoted the Lithuanian cause, and his wife Grazyna (Grace) Kudukis trough her leadership in the League of Women voters. The godfather of his son was Republican leader Nelson Rockefeller. Kudukis was the chairman of the 1976 VIII LAC National Council, and VP of the Lithuanian World Community. Kudukis, one of the directors of the Lithuanian Club, founded the bipartisan Lithuanian Civic Club (headquartered at the Lithuanian Club) whose ednorsement was sought by Republican and Democrat politicians alike. He talked LAC member Dr. V. Stankus into being nationalities co- chair to elect a Democrat ( the Republican party said OK) , but of Jewish Lithuanian Litvak descent, Eric Fingerhut, who asked for help from ,in his estimation, " a fellow Lithuanian". Kudukis with his fellow Lithuanians, and Republican activists, were happy that US President George H. Bush while visiting Cleveland and following the Republican Party's suggestion for an Ethnic Meeting, choose to speak to Cleveland's nationality and ethnic leaders at the Cleveland Community Center/Club, also on the topic of freedom for the Captive Nations , Lithuania among them. It garnered great American media attention.

Kudukis also worked with ALTas. Cleveland was unique among US Lithuanian communities in that members of LAC would also be members of ALTas , and eventually they held joint V16 celebrations, till LAC gradually assumed the sole role. For V16 1978, Jonas Nasvytis of the recognized Nasvytis family, an activist in the Democratic party, arranged for US Senator John Glenn to speak at Cleveland's Lithuanian Club and at the V16 ceremonies at Our Lady of Perpetual Help auditorium held by ALTas, Algis Ruksenas president , Dr. Viktoras Stankus vice president. Jewish leader Dr. Allan Riga attended. At a later V16 celebration US senator Howard Metzenbaum , of Jewish Lithuanian heritage , spoke strongly for a free Lithuania, his speech was printed on the front page of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio's largest newspaper. And the publicity, sympathy generated for Lithuania by Cleveland author Algis Ruksenas" book " Day of Shame " about the attempted defection of Lithuanian sailor Simas Kudirka who, jumped on to an American ship from a Soviet ship but was forcibly returned to it , was world-wide.

Jewish support in restoring Lithuania's independence was needed. And good relations between the Jewish and Lithuanian communities would affect this positively. One important event was when future Lithuanian consul Ingrida Bublys and dr. Stankus visited the Park Synagogue in Cleveland to hear the plight of a young Lithuanian Jewish girl, Mila Girsas (Girsh) whose parents , her younger sister and brother the Soviets would not allow to emigrate, to leave Soviet occupied Lithuania. Dr. Stankus contacted his contacts in Washington D.C., who arranged for then US President Gerald Ford to hear Mila's plight from Mila and Dr. Stankus when Ford was campaingning in Cleveland. Ford appealed to to the Soviet government and Mila's family was allowed to emigrate to the USA. Henceforth the Jewish community, the American Jewish Committee with its director Dr, Martin Plax, then worked with Dr. Stankus , the Lithuanian Community representative in the Ohio Helsinki Accords Council, founded by Gaila Klimas, the niece of former Lithuanian minister Petras Klimas, to promote human rights in Soviet occupied Lithuania. She made it possible for Simas Kudirka to speak at the famed Cleveland City Club. And when Dr. Stankus was able to prove that Nazi -occupied Lithuania boycotted the forced formation of a Lithuanian SS by the German occupiers of Lithuania in WWII on the Northern Ohio NBC "Sunday Magazine" program, the Jewish Community became even more receptive to Lithuania's plight . This was crucial when the drive for Lithuanian NATO membership would begin. And Ingrida Bublys and dr. Stankus continued to gather sympathy for Lithuania by meeting in 1996 US House Majority leader Tip O'Neil and US Senator Howard Metzenbaum.

And Cleveland continued to contribute positively. Milda Lenkauskiene , the 1992 World Lithuanian Community's Educational Council chair did the organizing work for the first five World Lithuanian Youth Congresses, 1966-1983. She was chairperson of the IV World Lithuanian Culture Congress in Toronto 1988, and in 1992 was the chair of the World Lithuanian Community's Educational Council. In 1983 , Jan 21-22 a LAC LIthuanian Youth Commission was formed in preparation for the Lithuanian World Congress. Members : in Cleveland, Dalia Orentaite, Dr. V. Stankus; in Chicago, V. Plioplys ; in Detroit, Violeta Abariute. Two World Lithuanian Youth Congresses" Study Days ( Studiju Dienos )) took place in Metropolitan Cleveland : at Kent State University , and at Oberlin College , the first US university to admit women and black students.

The Ohio Lithuanian Medical Association (Ohio Lietuviu Gydytoju Draugija) founded 1956 in Cleveland , its headquarters and the majority of its members located there. It is mentionable because it played a significant cultural role for Lithuanians , not only in Cleveland, but across the USA, and many of its members also worked in the LAC, or conversely. From 1957- 2000 it granted a yearly $1000 dollar cultural award , a total of $44,000 for those years, to deserving individuals and institutions .The first award went to poet, author Algirdas Landsbergis of New York

Other awards went to such institutions as the Lithuanian Encyclopedia, the Kent State Lithuanian Program near Cleveland, ,etc. And the OLMA's and the LAC member Dr. Stankus while serving as chairman of the Kent Lithuanian Program at KSU , and with the seasoned input of the Program's founder Dr. John Cadzow initiated a "Vivat Academia" evening at the Lithuanian Club where seven thousand dollars was raised for the Program - the OLMA members in attendance showed their support by donating the largest share. And the OLMA itself continued to further award individuals, 29 well- known Lithuanians, such as K.Banaitis, Br. Kviklys, Rita Cyvaite-Klioriene, Br. Raila, A.Maceina, Z. Ivinskis . Among them author of books on Lithuanian cuisine and culinary art Stefanija Stasiene, the mother of future Lithuanian Honorary consul (1996) Ingrida Stasaite- Bublys.

Ingrida Bublys as the chair of the LAC Cultural Council 1980-1989, augmented the OLMA initial awards program and promoted new positive cultural initiatives. In Nov. 1980 she called for the first ever Cultural Conference of LAC chapters and districts cultural activists who met in Cleveland. Tomas Venclova - for whom Dr. Stankus arranged an interview with the Cleveland Jewish News- Dr. Razma, consul, V. Kleiza spoke how their respective fields impact Lithuanian culture. Participants from various cities in the USA attended. The Cultural Council then initiated a Cultural Awards celebration. The first one took place in Cleveland , May 17, 1981, initiating the beginning of an annual cultural award.z The first recipient of this prize was the poet Kazys Bradunas. In 1984 at the 2nd Cultural activists conference in Cleveland award recipient was Juozas Kapocius, publisher of Lietuviu Encyklopedija ,the Lithuanian Encyclopedia- its first volume printed in 1953 and the last volume XXXV in 1966. Ingrida Bublys had much earlier raised the prospect of publishing a needed supplementary (Papyldimai) volume XXXVI, which was published in 1969. The encyclopedia was very important because it forced the Soviets to allow a Lithuanian language encyclopedia to be published in Soviet-occupied Lithuania just as the Soviets were beginning a campaign to force the Lithuanian language out the schools. Kapocius also published an English version , the Encyclopedia Lituanica in 1973 . The Kent State Lithuanian Program also received the award.

The LAC National Executive Committee (Centro- Krasto Valdyba) 1982- 1985 was located in Cleveland , Dr.Antanas Butkus, chairman. The Committee accomplished a number of important project as per Butkus report , An Urgent Message , Bridges, Feb 1984. With the initiative of of the Executive Committee's Educational Council chairman Jonas Kavaliunas and of the Lithuanian American Council ( by direct request of of the World Lithuanian Congress-Seimas) a campaign was organized to establish a Lithuanian chair at an American university. Shortly over $ 84,000 was collected and the first installment for the chair was completed. A Social Affairs council was established headed by Dr. Butkus. It procured for the LAC Cleveland chapter a $ 3,500,000 loan from HUD to build a Lithuanian senior citizens home. Homes were planned for Chicago and Los Angeles. The vice chairman for finances of the Cultural Council A. Mackevicius started a process whereby importantly a tax-exempt status would be obtained for the Lithuanian American Community of the USA, Inc, . And Dr. Butkus tasked his VP of Special Affairs, dr. Stankus to maintain liaison with the Jewish community, to keep getting Jewish leaders such as Dr. Bell, Dr. A. Kasen, Barry Schrage, Dr. Plax, and groups like the Oppressed Jewry to continue to attend V16 celebrations ,to be on board of aiding the restoration of Lithuania's independence. And for him and Ingrida Bublys to keep attending the Jewish Sder celebrations, write up the events for the Lithuanian press.

The first six Lithuanian Folk Dance Festivals had taken place in Chicago, but by 1983 it was apparent that Chicago would not be able to host the VII Dance Festival., and Cleveland was tasked with the responsibility . But some thought it could not be successful here and and draw enough folk dance groups and audience nation-wide. But under the driven capable leadership of Dr. Butkus , who involved his Executive Committee's members to take part in the Festival Organizing Committee's work, the VII Festival was a superlative success. Some 2,000 dancers , a total of fifty ensembles , together with the audience upwards to ten thousand participants. Even dance groups from outside the USA : Inkaras from Buenos Aires, Argentina; Nemunas from Brazil; Germany's V16 Lithuanian Highschool folk dancers. Ingrida Bublys trough her Cultural Council had spread the word, and the Organizing Committee's Ruta Degutis ( the future director of Cleveland 's Lithuanian Club) traveled to and distributed information of the festival among Pennsylvania's 250,000 strong Lithuanian heritage population .

And the LAC Cleveland chapter and the LAC Ohio district worked diligently as well ,1982-2001 . The chapter's presidents, chairpersons: V. Cyvas, V. Brizgys, R. Apanavicius, Ada Stungiene, Dr. V. Stankus, Dr. R. Silkaitis, Dr. D. Degesys, Mylita Nasvytiene. Individual LAC members also contributed. They arranged for the Jewish refusenik, young Litvinov- descendant of famed diplomat Maksim Litvinov- who escaped the Soviet Union to speak to young Lithuanians at the Lithuanian Club about freedom. And in answer to a letter by Paul Alsenas, the US State Department sent Undersecretary of State George Vest to speak to young Lithuanians at the Lithuanian Club, assuring them that State upholds Lithuania's freedom versus the USSR.. A young representative of the Jewish Defense League also spoke to young Lithuanians at the Club about defending freedom. And Valdas Adamkus, the future president of Lithuania, spoke at the V16 in Cleveland 1984 and 1989 calling for the restoration of Lithuania's freedom.

At Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. Greeting just arrived Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevcius, here to attend the 2015 LAC XXI National Council's Ist Session and the Cleveland LAC "Lietuviu Dienos- Lithuanian Days." Left to right : Lithuania's US Embassy minister-advisor Lyra Puisyte-Boestrem; LAC Ohio District VP Dr. Viktoras Stankus ;US Senator Rob Portman's delegate George Brown; Lithuania's Ambassador to the US, Rolandas Krisciunas; Cleveland Svyturys Lithuanian Folk Dance Group co-dierctor Egle Sirvinskaite- Zukauskiene; Lithuania's Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius; Lithuanian Honorary Consul Ingrida Bubliene-Bublys; Lithuanian Counsel General in Chicago Maryjus Gudynas: Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson's representative and Chief of Airport Operations; LAC Cleveland chapter president Algis Gudenas.

The 1986 V16 speaker was linguist Dr. A. Klimas. Vytautas Skuodis , famed defender of human rights in Soviet-occupied Lithuania, spoke at the Lithuanian parish, Dec 7 1987. George Voinovich Mayor of Cleveland, future gov. of Ohio and later US Senator, and friend of Lithuanians, honored Skuodis. And the dawn of freedom asserts itself. June 1-4 1989 Lithuania's "Sajudis" for freedom member Emanuelis Zingeris ,trip arranged by Gaila Klimas of OHAC, speaks at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Lithuanian parish and at American venues in Cleveland about Lithuania's struggle for freedom.

Vytautas Landsbergis, the head of Sajudis and Lithuania's Seimas , March 16 1994 speaks to Cleveland's LAC and assembled Lithuanians. Ohio Helsinki Accords Council chair Gaila Klimas arranges for Landsbergis to speak at the Cleveland City Club, founded in 1912 is the oldest USA free speech forum that established a chapter in Volgograd but which Putin later closed. LAC representative Dr. Stankus participated in Landsbergis' meetings with Archbishop Pilla of the Cleveland Diocese, and with Cleveland's Jewish leaders at the Jewish Community Federation. Wrote up events for the Lithuanian press.

US president Bill Clinton, June 1995,speaks at the Eastern European Conference in downtown Cleveland . Feliksas Eidintas , the first Lithuanian ambassador to the USA since the announcement of the restoration of Lithuania's independence on March 11th 1990 ( Russian troops stayed till 1993), attends the conference. Eidintas impressed with LAC representative Ingrida Bublys, recommends her for Lithuania's consul to the USA. She becomes Lithuania's first consul to the USA, in 1996. Honorary consul I. Bublys and Dr. Stankus are LAC delegates to the World Lithuanian Congress (Seimas), Vilnius , Lithuania July, 1-7 1997. President -elect George H. Bush responds in a letter to LAC representative Dr. V. Stankus - do not worry , we will raise Lithuania's freedom issue with president Reagan at our meeting with Gorbachev in December 1997 in New York.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio's largest newspaper, January 6, 1998, features photo and story on Valdas Adamkus being elected Lithuania;s president. It prints positive commentary on the election by LAC chapter co-chairman Dr. Stankus. Lithuanian Honorary consul Ingrida Bublys arranges for Lithuania's foreign minister Algirdas Saudargas to visit Cleveland Jan. 17-18 to speak to the Lithuanian community , and separately to NE Ohio American leaders. Story and photos in the Cleveland Plain Dealer by reporter Tom Quinn, and in the suburban News Herald. Lithuanian commentary in early edition by Algis Ruksenas, Romas Bublys, and in 2nd edition also by Dr. V.S. A sensation for fans and for the American and world press was when on Jan 20th 1998 Arvydas Sabonis of the Portland Trail Blazers played against Zydrunas Ilgauskas of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Cavaliers issue a press pass to Dr. Stankus , and to his young cub reporter and photographer, to write about the event for the Cleveland Lithuanian newspaper Dirva, to interview Sabonis and Ilgauskas. The PD , Jan 21 1998 quotes Dr. Stankus, " Here's the old master (Sabonis) against the young pup (Ilgauskas). Lithuanians are interested in seeing who is going to teach who what?" And on October 7-8 , the Cleveland LAC chapter during its "Lithuanian Days" event raises two thousand dollars for Dirva.

Nov. 14 , 1999 ,NATO Forum -luncheon, The Baltics into NATO -when? At the Cleveland Lithuanian Community Center/Club. Left to right, Dr. Viktoras Stankus, Dr. Raimundas Silkaitis, US Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), OLPH Pastor Gediminas Kijauskas, S.J. , Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL). Maris Mantenieks , president Baltic American Committee

The publicity generated and the subsequent work for NATO expansion led to the story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer Nov 18 , 2002, " Clevelanders planning bash for NATO growth", a NATO block party.The story reported that LAC representative Dr. Viktoras Stankus in March 2001, coordinated an " Ohio Appeal " letter sent to every US senator asking for NATO membership for Lithuania and the six other East European nations, signed by Dr. Martin Plax , Area Director, American Jewish Committee, Cleveland chapter; John Borkowski, President Polish American Congress, Ohio Division ; and by LAC representative , Dr. V. Stankus. And in May 2001, the US Senate votes 85 -6 , agreeing that Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia submit their applications to join NATO, effectively endorsing NATO's " big bang" expansion. Subsequently Lithuanian Honorary consul Ingrida Bublys and Dr. Stankus are invited , along with other activists , to the White House to hear President George W. Bush, General Colin Powell, Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice speak and celebrate the US Senate's NATO affirmation The PD did not bring out this last part about the celebration at the White House , but continued to write that 300 activists plan to gather at the biggest Lithuanian church in town , Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Thursday night Nov 21, the celebration open to all once the invitations formally go out earlier in the day at the NATO summit in Prague. Senator George Voinovich, the only US Congress member invited to the summit, hopes to address the Cleveland crowd electronically from his airplane on his way back to America. Sen. Voinovich relayed earlier the State Department's request tha LAC chapter Vice President Dr. Stankus organize such an event together with his Lithuanian American Community and the American Nationalities Movement The State Department sent as the event's keynote speaker David J. Trachtenberg, Principal Deputy Assistant Secratary of Defense for International Security. Algis Gudenas, the LAC chapter's president dilligently oversaw everyone 's efforts for a successfull celebration , he also insisted that the event be open to all Clevelanders and that the chapter provide the food and refreshments on this joyous occasion. The State Department would comment later that Cleveland was the only city that held such an event requested by State. And Cleveland was pro NATO during the V16 celebration in 2002 when Lithuanian ambassador Vygaudas Usackas asked the Cleveland American Jewish Committee's Area Director Dr. Martin Plax , and its President John Siegel to continue to support Lithuania into NATO.

Post 911, at the Rock and Roll Hall on Cleveland's North Shore :Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff (left) asks US Senator George Voinovich (right) - who led the charge to get Lithuania and the other six nations into NATO- to now lead the assembled Cleveland Nationality representatives to help monitor terrorists infiltrating to Cleveland and the USA, via Lake Erie from already infiltrated Canada. Reporting for the Lithuanian press, LAC representative Dr. V. Stankus (center).

"Celebrate Seven", March 29 2004, at Cleveland's Lithuanian OLPH auditorium. Event co-chairs Grace Kudukis and Dr. Stankus lead the LAC chapter's ceremonies, open to all Clevelanders, celebrating the much awaited acceptance of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania,Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia into NATO. USA LAC National Executive Committee president Vaiva Vebraite, advisor to President Adamkus ,holds the committee's annual meeting Aug 20 2005 at OLPH in Cleveland, meets with the Cleveland chapter's officers, then presents her report to the assembled and asks for their and the Cleveland chapter's suggestions regading the work of the National Committee. Story in Bridges : LAC Inc., Cleveland chapter, Nov 2005, by Dr. Stankus.

LAC representatives, Lithuanian Honorary consul Ingrida Bublys, Dr. Stankus hear respected Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky speak in Cleveland, at event organized by Cleveland's Jewish organizations .Event, and question and answer period where Sharansky aswered a question regarding Lithuania, and photo with Sharansky in Bridges, " Dissent, Freedom, Democracy!" Jan-Feb 2006, by Dr. Stankus.

After 911, Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff asks Senator Voinovich to gather the Nationalities Movement leaders at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located at Cleveland's North Coast Harbor, to hear his exhortation for the leaders to help monitor terrorists infiltrating to Cleveland, to the USA, via Lake Erie from earlier terrorist infiltrated Canada. Dr. V.S. reports event to the Lithuanian press.

The LAC XXI Ist National Council's First session, starting Sept 25th 2015 took place in Cleveland during the LAC chapters " Lithuanian Days " - theme : Preservation of Lithuania's Freedom and its Culture , and the annual meeting of SALFASS,the North American Lithuanian Athletic Union at the same time. The exhausting schedule of hosting the session, organizing sight-seeing tours, overseeing the Lithuanian Days , and seeing to the itinerary of visiting Lithuanian Foreign Minister Linas Linkevicius was ably achieved by the chapter's determined President Algis Gudenas and his chapter's equally resolved board members.

At the session, World Lithuanian Community president Dalia Henke presented meaningful new projects that would benefit the Lithuanian diaspora. And minister Linkevicius in his presentation stressed the paramount importance of preserving Lithuania's statehood. He stated that the input of the Lithuanian diaspora is crucial in strenghtening Lithuania's statehood and its aspirations, in advertising Lithuania's good name, and countering negative propaganda directed against it. Lithuania's ambassador to the USA Rolandas Krisciunas , and Lithuanian General Consul, Chicago, Maryjus Gudynas also addressed the session. Minister Linkevcius also participated during the SALFASS meeting at the Lithuanian Club, and at the "Lithuanian Days" there.

And Lithuania's statesmen then visited the St. Casimer Lithuanian parish, met with its pastor rev. Juozas Bacevicius( Bacevice) ,visited the final resting place of president Smetona at All Souls Cemetery and were received at Cleveland's Lithuanian consulate by Lithuanian Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys and her husband Romas Bublys. Minister Linkevicius, mindful that the famous rabbinical Telshe Yeshiva ( to escape the Soviets it, moved to Cleveland) is located in Cleveland . The minister was gratified that the Cleveland LAC maintains good relations with the Jewish community, and its Litvaks. The minister's visit was reported on the internet by reporter Debbie Hanson; http:/www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/2015/lithuanian-minister.htm (Foreign Minister LInkevicius visit to Cleveland) , and in Draugas , 2015 Lapkricio 12, Ketvirtadienis, Laisves tema , nuskambejusi Clevelando Lietiuviu dienose, Dr. V. Stankus

At the Republican National Covention in Cleveland, July 18-21, 2016. Briefing to Ohio Delegation by US Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell : LAC representative Dr. Viktoras Stankus; Senator McConnell- "Yes, NATO is important for the safety of the USA and Lithuania;" Lithuanian Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys.

During the Republican National Convention in Cleveland July 18-21, 2016 , Senator Portman arranged for Senator Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, to brief the Ohio delegation. LAC representatives Lithuanian Consul Ingrida Bublys and Dr. Stankus attended - where Senator McConnell answered Dr. Stankus' question, " Yes, a strong NATO is very important to the security of the USA and Lithuania." Report on the briefing by Dr. Stankus in Dirva and Draugas, copies to senators McConnell and Portman with English translation. On Sep 18, 2016 Senator Portman speaks at the 80 years celebration of the establisment of the Cleveland Lithuanian Cultural Garden. Story in Draugas by Dr. V.S. And on Oct 8 , 2016 , Sen. Portman's full page add in Dirva says, "Portman stands strong with Lithuania." In April, 2018 Sen. Portman addresses the Nationalities Conference at the Cleveland Lithuanian Club., Story in Draugas. Augustinas and Aiste Zemaiciai , recorders of Lithuanian Culture abroad , visit the Lithuanian Club,Telshe Yeshiva , even the Rock and Roll Hall that has Lithuanian connections. Mantvydas Bekesius, Lithuanian General Consul, Chicago, visits the gravesite of President Smetona in Cleveland.

The 100 years celebration of the restoration of Lithuania's independence on Feb 16 1918 , was commemorated by two magnificent events in Cleveland. On feb 16th itself, the Mayor of Cleveland ,Frank G. Jackson - a dear friend of Lithuanians, graciously received the Lithuanian delegation in his stately Mayoral Chambers at Cleveland City Hall, to movingly celebrate Lithuania's independence anniversary. He greeted each member of the delegation personally: Lithuania's Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys, the President of the LAC Cleveland chapter Algis Gudenas and his staff, and the President of the LAC Ohio Distict Nomeda Vucianiene. See the attractive photo of the Mayor with the delegation. Mayor issues press release, and Dr. V.S. to Draugas. And historically the Lithuanian events, and the upcoming 100 yr. Celebration ably reported on the Cleveland Lithuanian Radio Program that was founded in 1950 ( and going strong for 71 yrs.) by Balys Auginas and Jaunutis Navytis called "Tevynes Garsai", later led by Juozas Stempuzis, and then by his wife Aldona Stempuzis . The new generation renamed the program "Siaurinis Krantas (The North Coast) and is currently (2021) led by the team of director Eugenijus Dicevicius ( a popular accomplished guitarist and singer who performs at Lithuanian venues throughtout the USA) and Marius Juodisius.

The second extraordinary event, hosted by the LAC Cleveland chapter, President Algis Gudenas, and the Cleveland State University Center for International Services and Programs, with the dilligent input of Lithuanian Honorary Consul Ingrida Bublys , and the artistic organizing talent of Cleveland Exultate Choir director Rita Cyvaite- Klioriene, soared like a magnificent rocket at the CSU Auditorium on February 17, 2018 ! See the joyous photo, the exultation of the choirs and dancers , from Montreal, from Toronto, from Cleveland , the children. The Canadian ensembles were glad to reciprocate , to return the favor to Exultate which had participated in Ottawa at Canada's 150th Birthday Celebration. The American public was duly impressed , among them Lee C. Shapiro, Director of the Cleveland American Jewish Committee. She was returning the favor to the LAC representatives that had attended the Jewish Seder celebrations over the years. Reported in the Lithuanian press and filmed by Dan Hanson: Finale-http:/www.clevelandpeople.com/groups/lithuanian/2018/lithuanian-100th-finale.htm .

And the Cleveland LAC chapter has been on a high since that 2018 V16 celebration . It works dilligently, despite Corona , to promote Lithuanian culture, the safety and security of Lithuania. And it just signed the LAC travelling banner commemorating the 70th Anniversary of the establishment of the Lithuanian American Community of the USA, Inc. , and this article celebrates 70 years of LAC inCleveland.

Dr. Viktoras Stankus, LAC Cleveland chapter VP of Information

Reprinted with the author's permission from Bridges Lithuanian American News Journal