Soviet style. has been so complete that since 1945 Lithuania has been hermetically sealed off from the free world. -Soviet propaganda and oppressive measures have been at work trying to uproot the spirit of independence and freedom among Lithuanians. These libertyloving people have either been silenced. incarcerated or carted off in freight cars to distant and desolate parts of the Soviet Union. They have been evicted by tens of thousands from their homes on the Baltic shores and their place is being colonized by Communist Russians from Asiatic Russia. In these tragic circumstances. there can hardly be a celebration of national independence day there. In this country we join all Americans of Lithuanian descent today. on the 40th anniversary of Lithuanian Independence Day.