Discussing the Vision and Mission of the National Guard Union with Commander Ovidijus Bernatonis
In the spring of 2022, the 22nd Congress of the Lithuanian National Guard Inc. elected Ovidijus Bernatonis as its new commander. This historic organization has seen leadership from prominent figures such as Mykolas Abarius, who led for twenty-five years, followed by Julius Rūtenis Butkus for the next ten years. Commander Ovidijus Bernatonis now carries forward this legacy, guiding the organization through an era of significant global changes.
We had the privilege of speaking with Commander Bernatonis about the goals and achievements of the Lithuanian National Guard. This series will explore his insights and perspectives, starting with the foundational moments of the organization’s modern history.
Interviewer:
You were one of the eighteen individuals who, on September 20, 1989, took an oath at the grave of Vladas Putvinskis – the founder, ideologist, and first commander of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union (LRU) in Kelmė – to restore the esteemed LRU. Notably, Lithuania’s declaration of independence came later, on March 11, 1990. Could you reflect on these historical events? Who were those eighteen individuals, and what was your role at the time?
Ovidijus Bernatonis, Commander:
Those who remember the era of the Sąjūdis movement will recall the “Green Armbands,” as we called ourselves while maintaining order and assisting the organizers. In a country where not everyone had access to landline telephones, it was challenging to communicate, share news, and organize, especially on short notice.
We felt the need for a structured approach. Romualdas Zykus, the coordinator of the security squads, remembered the Lithuanian Riflemen who operated under President Smetona. I had heard about it because my grandfather, my mother’s father, was a member. Inspired by this, we began organizing in Kaunas, modeling ourselves after the structure of the Riflemen’s Union.
From this effort, a group of eighteen emerged, with some leaving and others joining. Among us were Stasys Ignatavičius, the long-time president of the Vladas Putvinskis-Putvis Club, Gediminas Jankus, the first commander of the restored LRU, journalist and former chief editor of the magazine “Trimitas,” Albinas Čaplikas, and the initiator of the Guard’s restoration, Romualdas Zykus. Other members included Algimantas Ragelis, Vytautas Zenkus, Valdemaras Leonavičius, Gintaras Linkus, Vytautas Kaminskas, Darius Balkė, Liutauras Katilius, Valdas Bieliūnas, and Juozas Armonaitis. Many of us still keep in touch and maintain professional relationships.
Cardinal Vincentas Sladkevičius was a great supporter of our efforts and often wondered why it took so long to reestablish the organization. One of the first initiatives we undertook was to restore the monument “To Those Who Died for Lithuania’s Freedom” near the Kaunas War Museum. We traveled across Lithuania, collecting stones from fifty different locations where battles for independence had taken place, and transported them by trailers to the monument site. Each stone in that monument holds significant meaning.
On February 15, 1990, we held the reconstitutive conference of the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union in Kaunas. We even had uniforms sewn based on the interwar models of the Riflemen uniforms. We divided the responsibilities among ourselves, and I was elected the commander of the Kaunas District.
Next: Over a Century of the Lithuanian National Guard (Part 2)
Vilma Kava is a Lithuanian-American author and journalist with a strong interest in Lithuanian culture and history. She has written two books that explore Lithuania’s heritage and traditions. Vilma regularly writes for Draugas newspaper, offering articles that resonate with the Lithuanian diaspora. She also contributes to the Lithuanian National Guard Facebook page, sharing stories and content that promote community engagement and cultural awareness.
