"For the homeland!" – the rallying cry of Lithuania's Riflemen's Union is increasingly being heard from Lithuanians living abroad. But what purpose do overseas riflemen serve for a country they no longer live in?
The Riflemen’s Union, a voluntary, paramilitary state-supported civic organization founded in 1919, plays a symbolic and practical role in Lithuania’s defence strategy, attracting thousands of new members since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
In mid-March, Lithuanians based in Germany, Belgium, France and the Netherlands took the rifleman's oath at ceremonies in Hamburg and Brussels.
The Brussels ceremony, held at the Lithuanian mission, was attended by three ambassadors, featured poetry by Antanas A. Jonynas and a performance by the folklore ensemble Rasodas.
For those who took the oath, the motivations were personal as much as patriotic.
"It comes from family. The values of the riflemen have always been very close to me, and living abroad it is harder to help Lithuania. I miss that connection with it, so I am very glad the riflemen are developing their work here," said Aistė Mockaitytė, originally from Jurbarkas, western Lithuania, who has spent nine years studying and working in the Netherlands.
Gustas Juodžbalis, who works at the Lithuanian mission to the EU, echoed her.
"As a Lithuanian in the diaspora I feel a certain duty. Not being able to contribute, not being physically in Lithuania, I feel an obligation to contribute here," he said.
Kastytis Šklenskas, who works at the European Commission, said the thought of joining had been with him for some time.
"We all understand the environment we live in, that one needs to be prepared, to have skills. I believe the Riflemen's Union will help me acquire them," he said.
A civic force far from home
Vilma Radvilaitė, commander of the riflemen's unit for Belgium, France and the Netherlands, described the goals of diaspora riflemen as developing civic awareness, learning to recognise and counter disinformation, supporting Ukraine, and preparing for what she called a possible Day X.
"We are becoming a significant civic force – far from Lithuania, but made up of people who care about Lithuanian affairs, who want to nurture patriotism and contribute to Lithuania's wellbeing," she said.
Lithuania's ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, Dainius Petras Kamaitis, welcomed the development. "We will have those people who are prepared to defend Lithuania even while not living there," he said.
'All your arguments will end when the first rocket arrives'
Laurynas Gerikas, deputy commander of the Lithuanian Riflemen's Union for diaspora affairs, told LRT that overseas riflemen's objectives and training may differ somewhat from those of their counterparts at home, though diaspora members can participate in exercises in Lithuania.
"Let us begin with the fact that Lithuanians abroad have already proven more than once their ability to preserve the spirit of Lithuania – not only the spirit, but also the will to defend the homeland," Gerikas told LRT at the Brussels ceremony. "The diaspora will help maintain the legitimacy of the Lithuanian government, the legitimacy of the Lithuanian name, and will not allow the world to forget that such a state existed and will continue to exist."
He said the union expects diaspora riflemen to fulfil support functions – logistical and otherwise – if needed, rather than necessarily returning to fight.
"There are individuals in the riflemen's diaspora with combat experience who are genuinely prepared to return and will likely return to defend the homeland with arms. But the union's leadership hopes that even such determined people will remain in their countries of residence and carry out the tasks assigned to them," he said.
He was pleased that Dalia Henke, chairwoman of the World Lithuanian Community, joined the riflemen in Hamburg, setting an example for others with the message: "If not us, then who; if not now, then when." He expressed hope that this would lead to deeper cooperation between the Riflemen's Union and the World Lithuanian Community.
"We have divided up responsibilities and will carry out various tasks – believe me, there will be enough work for everyone. We must prepare and not quarrel among ourselves. The history of the Lithuanian diaspora shows there have always been disputes about who has done more for Lithuania. I immediately recall a conversation with a Ukrainian who said: 'All your arguments will end when the first rocket arrives,'" Gerikas concluded.
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