Lithuania considers renaming former Soviet air base in honor of Ronald Reagan

"Throughout Eastern Europe, Reagan is idolized for his unyielding stance during the Cold War confrontation with the Soviet Union

From Lina Balsyte, the AP:  One of the largest strategic air force bases in the former Soviet Union could soon be named in honor of Ronald Reagan.

The idea to honor Reagan in Lithuania originated in the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, which recently voted in favor of the move. . . .

The proposal to name Siauliai International Airport, located 130 miles (210 kilometers) northwest of the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius, in honor of the late U.S. president will need approval from a municipal commission and the Siauliai city council, but officials said Wednesday they are taking up the issue. . . .

"(It) would be Lithuania’s act of gratitude to America, which was then represented by President Ronald Reagan, for its fight against the Soviet empire of evil and especially for its support for enslaved nations," committee chairman Emanuelis Zingeris told The Associated Press. . . .

The Siauliai airport contains two large air strips built to support long-range Soviet bombers destined for Europe and North America.

Currently the airport serves both civilian and military aircraft, including some NATO jets that patrol in the Baltic region.   (photo: Business Insider)

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