'They are our soldiers': prayers held for missing US troops at Vilnius Cathedral

VILNIUS - A mass was held at Vilnius Cathedral on Sunday to pray for the US soldiers who went missing during a training exercise at the Pabrade military training area in eastern Lithuania last Tuesday.

The service was attended by Lithuanian, US and German military personnel, as well as Lithuania's Chief of Defense General Raimundas Vaiksnoras, Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene, MPs, ministers, US Ambassador to Lithuania Kara McDonald, and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, US General Christopher Cavoli.

"Our sense of partnership drives us forward; you care for our soldiers as though they were your own," General Cavoli told reporters before the service.

The mass was led by Archbishop Metropolitan Gintaras Grusas.

"The thought is that God has a bit of a sense of humor, holding such a mass on Laetare Sunday, but (...) as I mentioned in my sermon, God gives us hope to overcome all difficulties," Grusas said after the service.

"We stand with the other American soldiers here, those involved in the rescue operation, and our prayers are also with their families in the US, to support them in this difficult time," he added.

'THE LEAST I CAN DO IS PRAY'

Juozas, a 67-year-old retiree who attended the mass, told BNS he wanted to express his gratitude to the American soldiers stationed in Lithuania.

"They are our soldiers; they came to protect us," he said.

Juozas also praised the work of Lithuanian authorities during the recovery operation.

"There was some chaos at first, and it wasn't clear whether they were alive or dead, but overall, the highest respect goes to the soldiers, the minister, and the services; they're doing a titanic job," he said.

Simona, a 35-year-old woman working in geographic information systems, told BNS that she had not planned to attend the mass specifically, but was glad she could participate.

"Prayer gives everything meaning; it's the main call for help," she said.

Jonas, a 47-year-old engineer, said he wanted to show solidarity with the US troops.

"I think the least I can do is pray alongside them," he said.

Jonas said he had been closely following the news about the rescue operation in Pabrade and praised the efforts of the Lithuanian military and services.

"The way everything is being organized, wow, and the allies joining in - it shows NATO's strength," he said.

Kamile, a 21-year-old student, said she attended the mass to support the families of the missing soldiers.

"At least I can send them my thoughts, so they don't lose hope and strength," she said.

According to the Defense Ministry, the mass was held to pray for the four missing US soldiers, for their families and loved ones, and for the soldiers and rescuers who, with "inspiring dedication, have been working day and night since Tuesday on the search operation".

The M88 Hercules tracked recovery vehicle, operated by the four US soldiers, went missing during an exercise at the military training area in Svencionys District on Tuesday.

The Hercules was located on Wednesday at a depth of about five meters in a swampy area. Defense Minister Sakaliene confirmed on Monday morning that the vehicle had been recovered but did not provide any updates on the missing US soldiers.

The large-scale rescue effort involves Lithuanian and US forces, as well as Lithuanian authorities. Several dozen Polish troops with specialized equipment have also joined the operation.