2024-07-24 19:18:23
“I am more excited than when I received the first rank of general – this is probably natural, because the burden of responsibility is greater.
As the president mentioned, this is not only an honor, but also a responsibility, so that responsibility affects me in one way or another,” the general admitted while talking to journalists.
Additional responsibility and public attention, R. Vaikšnoras is convinced, will also fall on the family of the new army commander, who came to support the general during the ceremony at the Presidency.
“The family also understands that attention will be paid to them because I am becoming a public figure. Although we in the army try to avoid this, we still do our job, serve the motherland, prepare the army for the moment when we need to do our duty.
The family, on the one hand, are both inspirations and supporters, but all that burden – both fame and what is happening in the world – is also theirs,” he admitted.
At that time, when asked about future plans, R. Vaikšnoras emphasized the continuity of the started works: the reception of the German brigade, the creation of the Lithuanian division, and gradually the implementation of the universal defense principle.
“If we manage to put it together and draw guidelines in the next few years, it would be a great achievement,” he said.
On Wednesday morning, several dozen representatives of the military – both from Lithuania and from foreign countries – came to support R. Vaikšnors at the ceremony held at the Presidency.
Former Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas and other conservatives, Seimas members Arvydas Pocius, Vilius Semeška, Valdas Rakutis also arrived.
The ceremony was also attended by “Blue/Yellow” manager Jonas Ohmanas and reserve captain Aurimas Navys.
Before granting the rank of general to R. Vaikšnor, President Gitanas Nausėda also emphasized the emerging responsibility.
“Congratulating the new general, I first want to wish that the next few hours will give him an opportunity to reflect and remember the great responsibility that comes with the regalia of the commander of the Lithuanian army.
Although I’m sure you’ve done it before, the moment just comes when you need to fully realize it,” the president emphasized.
The head of the country taught that we live in turbulent times, and we fully understand how dangerous Lithuania’s neighbors can be.
“During his long years of service, he has proven his exceptional abilities and professionalism. Having preserved an impeccable reputation and accumulated valuable experience, today he is entering to meet the most important test of life”, observed G. Nausėda
For his part, the Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas said that he is sure that the helm of the army is being handed over to the right hands.
The ceremony of the change of commander of the Lithuanian army will take place in the evening, in Cathedral Square – the duties will be handed over to R. Vaikšnor by the outgoing army commander Valdemaras Rupšys.
President G. Nausėda, Speaker of the Seimas Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Prime Minister Ingrida Šimonytė, Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kaščiūnas, commanders of the deployed forces and units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and allies are going to participate in the ceremony.
Also the chairman of the NATO military committee, the commander of the NATO North East Corps, the commanders of the armies of Estonia, Latvia and Portugal, the defense attaché of foreign countries, heads of non-governmental organizations and other guests.
Artūras Radvilas, Commander of the Land Forces of the Lithuanian Army, will lead the ceremonial formation of the armed forces on Wednesday.
R. Vaikšnoras, born in 1970, graduated from the Lithuanian Military Academy, the Joint Courses of Commanders and Staff Officers at the Baltic Defense College in Estonia and the Land Forces War College in the United States of America.
R. Vaikšnoras has been working in the Lithuanian army for 33 years, he has served as the commander of the “Iron Wolf” infantry brigade, as the commander of the Land Forces, as the deputy chief of the Defense Staff for operations, and most recently as the deputy chief of staff for combat training at the NATO Joint Forces Command in Briunsium.
According to the Constitution, the commander of the army is appointed and dismissed for five years by the president with the approval of the Seimas.
2024-07-24 19:18:23