Lithuanians honored by Jewish organization

VILNIUS - Medals and the title of 'Righteous among the Nations'will be presented to 17 Lithuanians in Vilnius nextweek as a result of their efforts to save Jews from persecution during WWII.

Six of the nominees are still living, while the remainder will be awarded posthumously.

"We can take pride in the achievements of the individuals being awardedthis year. They resolved to save people of Jewish descent under very riskycircumstances. This type of aid would have resulted in the death of not justthe rescuer, but his family as well," said Ingrida Vilkiene, one of theorganizers of the awards.

Around 22,000 people around the world have already received similar honors, including 700 Lithuanians.

In year 1953, under a special ruling of Jerusalem's Kneset, the Yad Vashem -The Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority - was founded andbegan awarding titles of Righteous Among the Nations, presenting the honoredwith a medal and planting a tree in their honor in the Avenue of the RighteousAmong the Nations. Those bestowed this title also have the privileges ofengraving their names on marble plaques in the Garden of the Righteous Amongthe Nations.

Approximately 90 percent of the 220,000 of Lithuania's Jewishcommunity during the time of WWII was exterminated during the Nazioccupation.