Lithuania. Estonia. and Latvia all had managed to declare their independence and break away from Russian dominance during the Russian Revolution. But they were to enjoy little more than two decades of freedom before the Soviets took advantage of the onset of World War II to force the Baltic States into subjugation. The massive deportations iom the Baltic States to the Soviet Union were halted by the German occupation of Lithuania. Latvia. and Estonia in 1941. But when the Soviets reoccupied the Baltic in 1944. the massive deportations resumed and continued for 5 years. Mr. President. persons of Lithuanian. Estonian. and Latvian heritage in the United States and around the world pray for the day when independence will be restored to their countries.
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deportations