Baltic Leaders Celebrate Independence

One hundred years ago, the countries of Central and Eastern Europe declared their independence amid collapsing empires. A generation of Estonians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Poles, and others from the region set out to determine their own future and enjoyed independence until the Nazis and Soviet communists conspired in 1939 to invade and then occupy their homelands. In the 1980s, Europe’s Captive Nations led the dismantling of the Soviet Union and are once again free, prosperous, and vital members of the free world.

On November 14, 2018, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation (VOC) convened hundreds of friends of freedom in Washington, D.C.’s Union Station for the Triumph of Liberty Conference and Gala Dinner to remember the victims, celebrate the heroes, and commit ourselves to defending the independence of freedom-loving people of Central and Eastern Europe.

In sum, we hosted a three-panel conference, welcomed a Presidential Message marking November 7 as the National Day for the Victims of Communism, received a congratulatory letter from Vice President Mike Pence, enjoyed a choral performance featuring Baltic music, premiered two new educational videos, awarded our Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom to three Baltic leaders, and accepted a $10 million gift for our museum project.

Our celebration culminated with a gala dinner at Union Station. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Peter Pace, ESMC (Ret.), gave a key note remarks. We awarded our Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom to former Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus, Latvian independence movement leader Sandra Kalniete, and founding member of the Estonian National Independence Party Tunne Kelam.

The dinner concluded with a special video message from Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki announcing a $10 million gift from the Polish government to help build a world-class museum in the capital of the free world to honor the victims of communism. In his message, Morawiecki said, “The Museum will ensure that future generations fully appreciate the difference between collectivist oppression and a free society.”

Thank you to all those who joined us to mark this occasion, both in person and in spirit.