Lithuanians bid farewell to 4 US soldiers who died during training exercise

[riversedge]

Source: abc news


Thousands of people have turned out to bid farewell to four American soldiers who died during a training exercise in the Baltic nation


By LIUDAS DAPKUS Associated Press
April 3, 2025,

VILNIUS, Lithuania -- Lithuania's political and religious leaders joined thousands of people on Thursday to bid farewell to four American soldiers who died during a training exercise in the Baltic nation.

President Gitanas Nausėda and other dignitaries were among those who stood in respect as hearses carried the bodies of the four young Americans to Vilnius airport before being flown to the United States for burial.

Many of the onlookers were in tears, and Nausėda said that the reaction of the population and the military to the disappearance of soldiers was rooted in Lithuania's own difficult history.

“For us, it is more than a duty, it is an emotion. We have experienced trials in our history and therefore we understand well what loss is, what death is, what honourable duty is,” Nausėda said in a speech to those gathered.

Schoolchildren accompanied by teachers waved Lithuanian and U.S. flags to honor the soldiers, who died in an accident along NATO's eastern flank, a region that is on edge due to Russia's aggression in nearby Ukraine.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/lithuanians-bid-farewell-4-us-soldiers-died-training-120440899

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I do hope the US has a ceremony for them when they arrive home --i assume at Dover/??

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[riversedge]

1. I really am at awe at the huge crowd of Lithuians who showed up to honor our fallen troops

[riversedge]

2. A woman at a shrine in Lithuania for three U.S. soldiers --The body of the 4th soldier was found.......

Fourth U.S. Soldier Is Found Dead in Lithuania

The soldier and three others had gone on a training mission in a 70-ton vehicle that sank in a bog near the border with Belarus.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/01/world/europe/fourth-us-soldier-dead-lithuania.html

Listen to this article · 4:18 min Learn more


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A woman at a shrine in Lithuania for three U.S. soldiers who were found dead earlier this week. The body of a fourth soldier was found in Lithuania on Tuesday.Credit...Mindaugas Kulbis/Associated Press
Michael Levenson

By Michael Levenson
April 1, 2025

[in2herbs]

3. Thank you for your kindness Lithuania. nt

[BeyondGeography]

4. Touching scenes

These people were visibly and deeply moved. I hope that provided some consolation to the families of these soldiers.

[riversedge]

7. Yes, I believe that also.

[riversedge]

5. Lithuanian combat divers worked day and night, risking their life's in brutal conditions to retrieve the 4 USA fallen br

Lithuanian combat divers worked day and night, risking their life's in brutal conditions to retrieve the 4 USA fallen brothers in arms. I'm proud of them so much! That's what friends and allies do! We are stronger together!

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[LittleGirl]

6. Tears

Thank you Lithuania for your sincere sign of respect.
It means a lot to most Americans.


I’ll never forget after 911 where people all over the world had vigils for the victims. London, Paris, Rome…still chokes me up.

[Fla Dem]

8. What a beautiful and moving tribute. Thank You Lithuania.