2025-04-03T07:19:22Z

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VILNIUS, Lithuania -- A poignant farewell unfolded on Thursday as thousands gathered to honor the lives of four American soldiers who tragically lost their lives during a training exercise in the Baltic nation of Lithuania. The ceremony took place at Cathedral Square, a significant landmark in Vilnius, where a somber atmosphere enveloped the crowd as they paid their respects.

Among those in attendance were Lithuania’s President Gitanas Nausėda and a host of political and religious leaders, all standing in solemn respect as hearses transported the soldiers' bodies to Vilnius airport. From there, the fallen heroes were set to be flown back to the United States for burial, marking a heart-wrenching moment in their families' lives.

As the procession moved forward, many in the crowd were visibly emotional, tears flowing freely in remembrance of the young men who served their country. President Nausėda addressed the gathering, emphasizing the deep-rooted connections between loss, duty, and honor that resonate in Lithuania's history. “For us, it is more than a duty, it is an emotion. We have experienced trials in our history, and therefore we understand well what loss is, what death is, what honorable duty is,” he articulated, conveying the nation's solidarity with the grieving families.

Among the mourners were schoolchildren accompanied by their teachers, who waved both Lithuanian and U.S. flags in a gesture of unity and respect for the soldiers. Leading this group was Justin Boyd, the principal of the American International School in Vilnius. Boyd expressed the significance of their presence, stating, “It’s important for us to give dignity to the fallen and to let the families know that we are with them and we support them in this time.” His words reflected the strong ties between Lithuania and the United States, particularly in the context of their mutual defense pact.

The four soldiers were part of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, who were engaged in a tactical exercise when their vehicle went missing. The U.S. Army reported that a week prior, an intensive search effort involving Lithuanian, Polish, and U.S. troops, as well as local rescuers, took place in the dense forests and swamps of the Gen. Silvestras Žukauskas training ground in Pabradė, located just six miles (10 kilometers) from the Belarus border. The recovery of the M88 Hercules armored vehicle from a peat bog last Monday, and the subsequent retrieval of the last body on Tuesday, marked the conclusion of a harrowing search.

As the hearses made their way toward the airport, one local resident from Pabradė shared their sorrow, saying, “I feel sorry for these young men. I live nearby, and I know that swamp. Dangerous places for anyone who enters that area.” This comment underscores not only the risks associated with military training but also the profound sense of community and empathy felt by those living in proximity to the tragedy.

The four soldiers have been identified as Staff Sgt. Troy S. Knutson-Collins, 28, from Battle Creek, Michigan; Staff Sgt. Jose Duenez Jr., 25, from Joliet, Illinois; Staff Sgt. Edvin F. Franco, 25, from Glendale, California; and Pfc. Dante D. Taitano, 21, from Dededo, Guam. Their service was part of a broader deployment of approximately 3,500 soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, who arrived in January as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, a NATO initiative aimed at bolstering the defense of allies in light of Russia’s aggression following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

This tragic event not only highlights the risks faced by military personnel during training exercises but also reinforces the strong bonds of alliance and shared sacrifice that exist between nations.