Garbės generalinis konsulas Vytautas Čekanauskas: atstovavimas Lietuvai JAV Vakarų pakrantėje

LTMonografija - biografinis tyrimas, apžvelgiantis vieno iš dipukų, JAV lietuvių visuomenininko ir Lietuvos garbės generalinio konsulo Vytauto Čekanausko (1929-2009) gyvenimą, visuomenine, politinę ir diplomatinę veiklą, kovojant už Kovo 11-osios Lietuvą ir ją kuriant. Remiantis istoriniais šaltiniais atskleidžiami svarbiausi užmiršti ar mažiau žinomi konsulo veiklos momentai, analizuojami įvairiapusiai jo santykiai su Los Andželo lietuvių visuomenės veikėjais, eiliniais išeiviais, amerikiečių organizacijomis, Lietuvos ir JAV valdininkais. Išryškinamas V. Čekanausko veiklos nesavanaudiškumas, patriotinės nuostatos, rūpestis savo Tėvynės likimu, tautiniu išeivijos auklėjimu. [Anotacija knygoje]

ENThe study of the Lithuanian diaspora is an object of important research that leads to a better understanding of the nation's historical past, the lives of the groups dispersed to different countries, and their ties with one another and with Lithuania. Activities within the diaspora call attention to and distinguish the leaders among them, including the diplomats who rose from their ranks. One of those diplomats was engineer Vytautas Čekanauskas who joined Lithuanian American organizations in Los Angeles and went on to become the second Honorary Consul General of Lithuania (1977-2009) on the West Coast of the United States. The account of the public affairs and consular activities of V. Čekanauskas are not just those of the life of one person inserted between the two dates of his lifetime, but also an explanation of the environment in which he worked. In the state of California, the city of Los Angeles and its environs, the Lithuanian American diaspora, noted for its activism, was united into organizations, societies, clubs and the like. Los Angeles Lithuanians were noteworthy not only to other ethnic communities but also to local government representatives. This is why it was important to the author to present a review of the activities of the Lithuanian compatriots of the area, focus on the more active individuals who donated their time and their funds for the benefit of the Lithuanian affairs and assisted the Lithuanian Consul in his work. Within the United States, V. Čekanauskas was the first of World War II refugees to become a member of the Lithuanian Diplomatic Service (LDS). The diaspora press assessed his appointment as a "significant precedent".The appointment meant there was no longer a perceived threat of the current posts ending or being eliminated due to poor health, aging or death. Representation of Lithuania became extendable by the ability to select from the ranks of her emigrants. his education at the University of Tubingen. The bright young man was accepted for a position working as an interpreter for the French Occupation Administration, helping his countrymen. Before leaving for the U.S., he received an excellent reference from the French Administration, which played an essential part in helping him settle in his new home. Later in his life, remembering his high school, he made several attempts to organize reunions of his teachers and fellow students. Vytautas arrived in the U.S. in 1949. Upon arrival, he found work in Chicago Heights, IL at a store owned by his sponsors, the Lileikis family. In 1951 he was drafted into the U.S. Army and sent to military radio operator school. It was there that he strengthened his command of English and began to lay the groundwork for future university studies. He served in Korea for one year, was injured and received several decorations, including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal. Upon return from Korea, he took advantage of the opportunity to attend university, graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus with a degree in Electronic Engineering. In 1957 Vytautas left for Los Angeles, where he was offered a position at North American Aviation, Inc. His father Jonas had remained in Germany, but then moved to Great Britain where he lived until 1955.He later moved to Brooklyn, N.Y., but upon the waning of his health in 1961, Jonas joined his son in Los Angeles, where he lived until his death in 1982. In 1958 a lifelong correspondence began between father and son Algirdas in Lithuania and between brothers Vytautas and Algirdas. Vytautas continually supported his brother's family with all his means. After settling in Los Angeles, in 1959 he married Janina Budriūnaitė. They had three daughters: Daiva, Rita and Vida. The girls were taught Lithuanian and raised with an appreciation for their roots. They all graduated with university degrees from University of California, Los Angeles - UCLA. The entire family embraced the local Lithuanian active life. They joined various organizations and participated in their events. Vytautas was drawn into these activities by his brother-in-law Vladas Pažiūra. V. Čekanauskas was the son of ordinary citizens, pre-war residents of the city of Kaunas. He spent his childhood near the Nemunas River, and having finished elementary school, he began his high school education. Even at that age, his character traits of curiosity, responsibility, diligence, and sincerity had emerged. [...]. [From the publication]