Triumph of Liberty Annual Dinner and Conference

Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation annual Triumph of Liberty Conference and Gala Dinner, held November 14, 2018.

Triumph of Liberty Conference

On November 14, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation convened a three-panel conference gathering 18 renowned scholars, dissidents, journalists, and policymakers to discuss communism’s past, present, and future in Central and Eastern Europe around the globe.

Past

The first panel focused on the vital role American leadership played in confronting communist regimes in the 20th century.

Present

The second panel addressed how former captive states still grapple today with the bitter legacy of decades of Soviet occupation, and how they must confront security threats to their freedom and independence.

Future

The third panel centered on the enduring challenges posed by communism in the 21st century.

Presidential Message and Letter from Vice President

For the second year in a row, President Donald Trump issued a message declaring November 7 the National Day for the Victims of Communism. We also welcomed a letter from Vice President Mike Pence commending our work, joining us in celebration, and congratulating the Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom recipients.

“For more than two decades, the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation has remembered the victims of communism and honored the heroes who are advancing the cause of freedom in our day.” — Vice President Mike Pence

Baltic Choral Performance

The power of song to build community has long been an important cultural factor in the Baltic countries — never more so than in 1989, as two million Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians sang in peaceful defiance of Soviet tyranny during the Baltic Way protests. To honor this, we began our gala dinner with a concert of Baltic choral music, inspired by Baltic poetry and sung by the professional choir The Thirteen. The lyrics described the beauty of the landscape in these formerly captive countries.

Video Premiere

During the dinner, we screened a short video of the Baltic Way protests, including aerial footage of the 420-mile human chain. We also premiered two short animated videos as part of our new explainer series aimed at young Americans. “Who is VOC?” unpacks the growing urgency and relevance of our mission to teach truth, keep memory, and pursue justice. “Why Anticommunism Is Nonpartisan” explains how Americans from across the political spectrum have historically always united behind our cause to promote freedom, justice, and peace.

Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom

We awarded our Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom to three heroes of Baltic independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union: former Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus, Latvian independence movement leader Sandra Kalniete, and founding member of the Estonian National Independence Party Tunne Kelam. Each of them gave remarks on his or her lifelong devotion to fighting communism and pursuing freedom in the former bloodlands.

Keynote Address

Our keynote speaker was General Peter Pace, USMC (Ret.), who shared his personal story of rising from combat veteran in the jungles of Vietnam to 16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Pace recounted the principles that helped carry him through times of immense strain and peril and stressed the importance of courage, friendship, and a moral compass in confronting the challenges of one’s era.

Polish Government Museum Gift

The Gala 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. The museum, he said, is critical to “ensure that future generations fully appreciate the difference between collectivist oppression and a free society.”