Watch and listen to the opening welcome speeches of our Lithuanian American Legends Induction Ceremony by Lithuanian Consul General in Chicago, Marijus Gudynas, and Honorary Consul General, Dr. John Prunskis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFX0s7zAt5I

Watch and Listen to Vyto Ruginis' heartfelt acceptance speech into the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame. Brother Raymong Ruginis' presentation of Vyto to the Hall of Fame is laced with humor and events of Vyto's early years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-udXRzQiIAQ

WFMT radio personality Peter Van De Graaff presents Arnold Voketaitis into the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame. Arnold Voketaitis' operatic career is unsurpassed by any bass/baritone soloist in America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGjmfGmUHB0

l to r: Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania, Marijus Gudynas;

John C. Unitas Jr. (Accepting for his father, Johnny Unitas); Ruta Lee;

Dick Butkus; NLAHF chairman/founder, Jon Platakis

                          Lithuanian American Legends

                        Dick Butkus acceptance speech

               Hollywood star, Ruta Lee with husband Webb

Son of "51" and Board Member of the NLAHF,Matt Butkus, introducing his

father to the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame

            A surprise birthday cake for Dick Butkus' wife Ellen

  Ruta Lee with members of Lithuanian Folk Dancing Troupe, "Suktinis"

                                 Dick Butkus' wife Ellen celebrating her birthday

Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania, Marijus Gudynas, welcomes

the enthusiastic capacity crowd to the Lithuanian American Legends 

induction into the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame

Consul General, Marijus Gudynas, donning the famous "#19" jersey worn by

legendary National Football League star, Johnny Unitas

Chicago Blackhawks legend, Bobby Hull and Honorary Consul General and

representative of the World Lithuanian Community in the Lithuanian 

Parliament, Dr. John Prunskis, attending to honor our Lithuanian American

Legends

Ruta Lee with "Knights of Lithuania" (Vyčiai), one of the many groups

who support the NLAHF

One Chicago Bears legend, Doug Buffone, congratulates Chicago Bears

legend, and Lithuanian American Legend, Dick Butkus

Anita is a Lithuanian Brit. Her parents, both displaced persons from Lithuania, met and married in England where Anita was born and grew up. She considers herself extremely lucky to have met Lithuanians from all over the world through her involvement in Lithuanian Scouts, folk dancing, World Youth Congress and more.

Anita graduated from the University of Manchester (UK) in 1982 with a BA (Honors) degree in Combined Studies and two teaching qualifications. She studied Education, Audiology, French and German and worked as a teacher of the deaf in a unit for partially hearing children within a state high school, where she also taught French. Taking a career break to have two children, she returned to teaching when they were older.

Anita has worked behind the scenes for several British-Lithuanian publications, including the Scout magazine, “Budekime,” and the English language version of the Autobiography of Vytautas Landsbergis, “Lithuania-Independent Again.” She also edited, “Lietuviu Skautu Sajungos Anglijos Rajono Albumas, 1947-983, which outlines the history of Lithuanian Scouting in England during those years.

In addition, Anita has been welcomed to our Facebook administrative staff. You may visit our Facebook page, and view some of Anita’s interesting posts.

Jura Reilly comes from a Lithuanian background and graduated from Adelaide University, majoring in English and International Politics. After she gained her Diploma of Education from Rusden Teacher’s College, Jura taught English and History in Victorian high schools for many years. In 1990, Jura gained her Graduate Diploma of Education Administration from Deakin University.

 Then, in 1991 and 1995, Jura was invited by the Lithuanian Ministry of Education to conduct English work shops for students and teachers. In 1983, Jura published her first book of poetry, “Lithuanian Lady.” In 2003, she assisted with the translation and editing of, “In Light of Lyre,” by the Lithuanian partisan poet, Juozas Grusys-Zilvinas. Jura’s short stories and poetry written in English and Lithuanian have been published in a number of publications and can be viewed at www.austlit.edu.au.

 In addition, Jura has joined our staff as one of NLAHF’s Facebook Administrators. Visit our Facebook page to see some of her wonderful posts.

I came to the United States in November, 2000, with lots of dreams and ambitions. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics & Operations Research from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2003. After graduation, I worked in an excavating company as an accountant, where my career began in the accounting world.

While working for a large trucking company, I received my Masters degree of Accounting & Financial Management from DeVry University, Keller Graduate School of Management. Currently, I am working as accounting manager/controller in the transportation industry, and planning on receiving my CPA next year.

Vitas Mockaitis is an experienced trial attorney who concentrates his practice in representing injured workers, victims of accident and negligence cases and disabled persons seeking Social Security Disability benefits. A graduate of John Marshall Law School, Vitas has spoken before various labor organizagtions and has been a guest lecturer for attorneys and physicians in continuing legal and professional education courses.

Matthew Valentinas is a second generation Lithuanian American from Boston, Massachusetts who works as an entertainment lawyer and literary manager. Matt has a fervent passion to partner with authors, producers, filmmakers, and academics in bringing the unique and storied history of the Lithuanian people to Hollywood and global media markets. Matt is currently awaiting approval of his dual citizenship application and looking forward to one day visiting the town of Radsviliskis where his family was millers for generations. Matt invites you to connect on LinkedIn and Twitter @MattValentinas or contact him through his website MatthewValentinasLaw.com.

Come join us as our Lithuanian American Legends enter the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame (NLAHF) at its inaugural induction ceremony.

The induction ceremony will take place on August 24, 2013, at the Lithuanian World Center, 14911 E. 127th Street, Lemont, IL 60439. The festivities will begin at 6:30 p.m.

This event is not just an induction ceremony, but a gala celebration, including dinner, music, and dancing, to honor these Lithuanian American Legends, and to highlight the significant contributions Lithuania and its people have brought to the world of sports, leadership, education, science, and the arts.

Much is to be learned about Lithuania and its people as Lithuania’s is only now emerging from a half century of brutal Soviet occupation, when its voice on the world stage was silenced. However, in the brief span of 23 years, Lithuania, once again, emerges as a European leader. In 2009, its capital city, Vilnius, was declared the cultural capital of Europe, and it has just recently assumed the presidency of the European Union.

The National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization in the State of Illinois, with a governing board composed of members from various ethnic and racial communities, and is dedicated to promoting Lithuania, its epic history, its unique culture, and its people, to the American public. The NLAHF also promotes and supports educational initiatives without regard to race, religion, gender, or ethnicity.

Seize this opportunity to meet with these Lithuanian American Legends during one of their rare appearances in Chicago, and make this an evening to remember.

Event and ticket purchase information is readily available at the National Lithuanian American Hall of Fame website, www.lithhof.org by clicking on the “Event” tab.

LITHUANIAN LEGENDS INDUCTION CEREMONY-AUGUST 24, 2013

EVENT INFORMATION-(708)302-2121

TICKETS: $100  Includes dinner and complimentary cocktail, entertainment, induction                        ceremony, music, dancing, and our famous Lithuanian hospitality. A cash bar                        will be available.  EVENT STARTS 6:30 P.M.   ENDS 12:00 A.M.

LOCATION:  Lithuanian World Center, 14911 E. 127th Street, Lemont, IL 60439

TICKETS AVAILABLE:                                                                                                                                       Online at, www.lithhof.org

               Grand Duke's Restaurant, 6312 S. Harlem Ave., Summit, IL 60501                                      TEL. 708-594-5622

               Old Vilnius Cafe (Lietuvele), 2601 75th Street, Darien, IL 60561                                          TEL. 630-324-6811

               Lithuanian Plaza Bakery & Deli, 9921 S. Roberts Road, Palos Hills, IL 60465                        TEL. 708-599-9866

Groups wishing to reserve tables, please call 708-302-2121

**TICKETS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR