Carsten Leth Rotary scholarships approved for the top graduating lieutenants in 2021

In preparation for the upcoming graduation ceremonies, today our district Board has approved scholarships in the memory of the Rotarian, former Danish Land Forces officer, Major Carsten Leth for the top five lieutenants, graduating General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania in 2021. These scholarships are based on academic achievements and recommendations from the Academy leadership. The recipients are:

• lieutenant Mr. Diomedas Petkevičius, who has also studied on an exchange program in France, Saint-Cyro Military Academy

• lieutenant Ms. Vytenė Dagytė, a frequent contributor to the military magazine, student champion in sambo, also having studied in USA Virginia Military Institute, Latvian and Estonian Military academies,

• lieutenant Ms. Sandra Statkutė, who also represented the Academy in the Riflemens' Union

• lieutenant Ms. Neringa Gedminaitė, who also studied on an exchange program in Brno Defense University

• lieutenant Ms. Gretė Lukošaitytė, winner of multiple track-and-field athletics competitions, biker, exchange student at Polish Military Studies Institute

It is my great pleasure to see four women officers among the laureates. It is truly inspiring and empowering to know, that women are respected and given opportunities to serve their homeland in the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The graduation ceremony will again take place in front of the Palace of the President of Lithuania H.E. Gitanas Nausėda, who is also a Chief Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and will award Military Academy graduates with their first military rank of Lieutenant, by touching each shoulder with a sword. Later the graduation ceremony will continue in the Ramovė of the Academy.

All the best to all the graduates!

ABOUT THE SCHOLARSHIP: Major Carsten Leth (1935-03-27 to 2012-03-25) was a very special friend of Lithuania and a prominent Rotarian, instrumental in reviving and strengthening the Rotary movement in Lithuania, including growing into an independent Rotary International district 1462 and contributing personally to a growing number of clubs from just 6 in 1995 to 26 on 1999. Carsten joined Rotary, Bogense Rotary Club in Denmark, district 1460, back in 1976, and served as its President in 1987-1988. Carsten became district 1460 Governor in 1992-1993 and his name is engraved as the first name on the Governor's chain (Collar) of the independent Lithuanian Rotary district 1462 to celebrate his huge contributions to Lithuania. Prior to becoming an independent district 1462, we shared a joint Danish-Lithuanian district 1460, yet, Lithuania had its own Lithuanian Rotary Committee, a unique structure in all Eastern and Middle Europe, that Carsten has chaired in 1994-2000. He loved Lithuania from the depth of his heart.