T. Tumas, a volunteer of the Foreign Legion who died in Ukraine, has been escorted to his eternal rest

T. Tumas, nicknamed Milžinas, was the first Lithuanian who lost his life in the war in Ukraine.

At the gate of the cemetery, several dozen people gathered to escort T. Tumas to his eternal resting place: with small baskets of flowers, single flowers, with Ukrainian and Lithuanian flags of various sizes.

VIDEO: Soldier Tadas Tumas was laid to rest in the Antakalnis cemetery: a crowd of friends, soldiers and relatives said goodbye

81-year-old Emilija, who was carrying several caskets, told BNS that she mightn’t not come because “a compatriot who died not for his own freedom, but for the freedom of another country, but who fought for the peace of all” is being buried.

“How many more such people are there?” Who would decide to go to another country, fight for its well-being, knowing that there, in the war, they might die. Leave loved ones. Parents would lose their son, children would lose their parents, wives would lose their husbands, sisters would lose their brothers. It’s heroic. To go to the war, which is far from your home, but at the same time very close,” said the woman, upset.

At that time, married couple Eduardas and Pranciška Urbonai said that they would not only place their flowers on the grave of a person who “went to the real war”, but also bow down: “So that we die in peace, not in war.” Well, we will thank you. There is no way.”

At the grave, the Lithuanian flag was handed over to T. Tum’s wife and T. Tum was presented with a medal for participating in the Ukrainian war.

Lithuanian and Ukrainian anthems were sung during the funeral ceremony. VSAT officials honored the memory of T. Tumos with volleys.

Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chairman of the Seimas National Security and Defense Committee, called T.Tuma a symbol of courage.

VIDEO: “Last goodbye” to Tad Tums: farewell in St. Ignatius Church and respect of comrades

“It is precisely because of such people that we can enjoy a peaceful sky, freedom and independence today,” L. Kasciūnas said at the farewell ceremony at the cemetery.

“I ask myself, how much is there in our nation that would be needed on the day of the freedom struggle. Tad proved with his life that we really have them. If it happens that our nation and state will have to face the darkest and most terrible hours, it is thanks to such personalities, such chosen ones that we will not give up and prove that we are a nation worthy of statehood, a nation that can and has the will and determination to resist,” said L. Kasčiūnas.

According to him, the task of the state is to perpetuate the memory of T. Tumos.

Deivydas Kaminskas, head of the VSAT Pasieniai School, emphasized that T. Tumas did not like honor and attention, but always tried to help those who were not successful, those who were in danger.

“You raised a fantastic son who had the highest values,” he thanked T. Tumos’ parents.

Almost three dozen lit fireworks (signal torches) The memory of T. Tumas was honored by the representatives of the fan club “Pietų IV Ultras” of Vilnius “Žalgiris” football club – T. Tumas was a member of the tribune.

The religious funeral rites were led by the chief army chaplain Rimas Venckus.

T. Tumas died on February 23. As announced, T. Tumas, together with a Ukrainian, was transporting mines to the front lines near Bakhmut, when the car was hit by a Russian drone.

The remains of T. Tumos were transported to Lithuania following saying goodbye in Kyiv. Comrades of the soldier killed by Russian forces, Ukrainian soldiers gathered at the ceremony in the capital of Ukraine.

President Gitanas Nausėda also paid his respects to the deceased in Vilnius on Friday.