The demolition of the Hill of Crosses: evidence of the most active destruction

I don’t remember exactly what year it was. The party secretary Pilelis calls and says: “Kuzma, tomorrow prepare a good lunch for three hundred men – good, as it should be”. I ask: “What kind of assortment?” – “No, at your discretion, a strong, manly lunch and half a liter of vodka for two men. Get a reliable driver so that there is no chatter. Tomorrow you will receive a signal – where and when to bring. No waiters. You will come and bring it yourself personally. No one will know where you are taking it or what you are taking.”

The next day I sit ready, waiting. Someone else calls. They ask: “Did you get an order? Pack lunch and be in Meškuičiai at the appointed time. Only two people – the driver and you.” I ask: “Maybe civil defense classes?” He doesn’t answer anything specific.

We arrive in Meškuičiai. I look - everywhere there are militiamen, soldiers. A man approaches the car. We drive together. We drive up, I look - smoke is rising, some bonfires are burning. We drive further. Near the Hill of Crosses, there is a crowd - full of people, cars, working, demolishing. Secretary Pilelis arrived. Some helpers appeared, took thermoses with lunch, dishes, distributed food, vodka, sat down, ate, drank. They returned the dishes. I was ordered: "You didn't see anything, you didn't hear anything, go home!" "What about the settlement?" I ask. "The money will be transferred to the account," he replies. And that's it.

I saw: bonfires were burning, cranes were loading metal, many men were burning crosses. All locals, you can see. Maybe they were activists, or maybe they were also ordered to come to the specified place at the specified time - as if to some civil defense exercise. Young. And everyone needed a drink. They demolished more than once, I only saw it once..."