Monument to Lithuanian Freedom Defender Vytautas Vaitkus

Vytautas Vaitkus was born on September 22nd, 1943, in the village of Paežeriai, Šilalė district. He worked as a driver at the Lithuanian Film Studio and then later took an additional job as an electrician-plumber at the Vilnius Sports Palace. He was a defender of Lithuania’s freedom and one of the victims of the events of January 13th, 1991. He was killed during the Soviet Union’s military aggression against the restored Lithuanian state. On the night of January 13th, 1991, he was shot near the Vilnius TV Tower. Together with other victims of the events of January 13th, he was buried at the Antakalnis Cemetery.
In September, 2021, a wooden roof pillar (stogastulpis) was raised and consecrated in his home village to honor his memory. The roof pillar was created by woodcarver Alvydas Pocius, while the metal sun ornament was crafted by folk artist Klemensas Lovčikas.