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Lithuania to Honor Fallen US Soldiers in Vilnius Procession
VILNIUS, Lithuania – A solemn procession is scheduled in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, to honor four United States Army soldiers who tragically perished in a training accident. The procession will move through Cathedral Square on Thursday, allowing for public respects to be paid to the
Ceremony for Soldiers Lost in Training Exercise
Government representatives and prominent religious figures are anticipated to offer their final respects at the ceremony. Following the service in Vilnius, the remains of the soldiers will be transported to the airport for repatriation to the United States.
Tragic Accident During Tactical Training
The soldiers belonged to the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. According to the U.S. Army, they were engaged in a
Extensive Search and Recovery Operation
A multinational search operation, involving Lithuanian, Polish, and U.S. soldiers alongside rescue personnel, was launched across the forests and marshlands of the Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas training area near Pabradė, approximately 10 kilometers west of the Belarusian border. The M88 Hercules armored recovery vehicle was extracted from a peat bog on Monday, with the last of the four soldiers’ remains recovered on Tuesday, concluding the arduous search.
Identities of the Fallen Service Members
The U.S. Army has officially identified the deceased soldiers as:
- Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, Battle Creek, Michigan
- Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, Joliet, Illinois
- Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, Glendale, California
- Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, Dededo, Guam
Dignitaries to Attend Vilnius Ceremony
High-ranking dignitaries, including Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, the Minister of Defence, and the Archbishop of Vilnius, are all expected to be present at Thursday’s solemn event to honor the
Military Tribute and Public Participation
According to Major Nicholas Chopp, deputy media chief for U.S. Army Europe and Africa, an honor platoon from the 3rd Infantry Division will also participate in the tribute to the fallen soldiers.
A Lithuanian non-profit organization, Stiprus Kartu (Strong Together), which aids Ukrainian war refugees, has appealed to Vilnius residents to attend the procession and pause to pay their respects as the coffins pass. In a Facebook post, the organization urged, “Even though it’s a workday, let’s not remain indifferent… bow your head and honor the US soldiers who lost their lives during training, preparing to defend our freedom, upholding their oath to the very end.”
Operation Atlantic Resolve Context
Approximately 3,500 soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team were deployed in January to Poland and the Baltic nations for a nine-month rotation under