In a letter the Ambassador of the Order of Malta to Lithuania H.E. Manfred Mautner von Markhof expressed gratitude to the Italian Air Force commander Colonel Daniele Donati and his team for the excellent cooperation with the Lithuanian Malteser’s in Siauliai.

”The Embassy of the Order of Malta to Lithuania and Order of Malta Relief Organisation in Lithuania are extremely grateful for helping us with your deep personal voluntary engagement together with the Italian Air Force Detachment Soldiers”, – wrote the Ambassador in his letter. From the beginning to the end of your mission in Lithuania you provided incredible help for the beneficiaries of the Order of Malta Relief Organisation in Lithuania – old, sick, lonely elderlies and children from the socially weak families.

I am personally touched by your willingness to support people in need and I know Lithuanian people and citizens of Šiauliai deeply appreciate your generous donation and active voluntary engagement of the Italian Air Force Detachment Soldiers.”

A few weeks ago Italian Air Force commander Colonel Daniele Donati and his team together with the Maltesers of Šiauliai congratulated 20 lonely seniors on the occasion of International Woman’s Day.

A basket of exotic fruits and a Lithuanian cake “šakotis” was a gift from the soldiers, and a bouquet of tulips from the Maltesers. Many seniors were overwhelmed by the attention shown by the men and women in uniforms, who are currently on a NATO mission for the Baltic Air Policing.

This helped for at least small group of Šiauliai residents to find out who is flying the planes over their homes and protecting them. These warm, cheerful, and caring people spoke in Italian, which was a pleasure to the resident’s ears.