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Monument to Leonardas Vilhelmas Grigonis – Užpalis

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Leonardas Vilhelmas Grigonis is a prominent figure who left a deep mark on Lithuanian history. Born in 1905 in Rokiškis district, he was a teacher, a patriot of the region, and a partisan leader. In 1934, he initiated the construction of a primary school in Sėlynė village, which became a beacon of education. After the building burned down, Grigonis oversaw the construction of a new, brick school. In 1948, he became the chief of staff of the Prisikėlimo district, and later participated in the 1949 LLKS (Lithuanian Freedom Fighters Union) congress held in the Minaičiai bunker, where the historic Declaration was signed, affirming the legitimacy of the Lithuanian freedom movement. For his services to Lithuania, he was awarded the Cross of the Freedom Fighters.

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Rokiškis Tourism Information Center

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Leonardas Vilhelmas Grigonis is a significant figure in the history of Lithuanian education and the freedom fight. Born in 1905 in Pužoniai village, Rokiškis district, he was always interested in the culture and history of his region. After completing his education at Rokiškis Gymnasium, he returned to his homeland and established a primary school in Paulianka village. This school became an important educational center for local children. Grigonis actively Lithuanized village names, renaming Litviniškis to Sėlynė, where, in 1934, he initiated the construction of a wooden school. After a fire destroyed the school in 1938, he ensured the construction of a new brick building started in 1940. As the Soviet occupation approached in 1944, Grigonis left

his native region and went into hiding in the Šiauliai district. In 1948, he became the chief of staff of the Prisikėlimo district and later its leader. During Grigonis’s leadership, the 1949 congress of the Lithuanian Freedom Fighters Union (LLKS) took place in Minaičiai village, in a bunker, where the Declaration was adopted, legitimizing the LLKS as the only lawful government of Lithuania. Jonas Žemaitis-Vytautas, who chaired the congress, appointed Grigonis as his third deputy and awarded him the Cross of the Freedom Fighters with swords for his exceptional contributions to the fight for Lithuanian freedom. Leonardas Vilhelmas Grigonis remains a symbol in Lithuanian history, embodying the spirit of resistance and dedication to his nation.

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