By Merita B. McCormack *
Victims of Communism worldwide were remembered and honored during the 18th annual Roll Call of Nations Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Victims of Communism Memorial in Washington DC.
This event honored the memory of the more than 100 million people killed by communism, celebrated liberty where it has triumphed.
Professor Chen Guangcheng, the Chinese human rights activist, known as the blind lawyer, who is a former prisoner of conscience, and VOC’s 2015 Truman-Reagan Medal of Freedom was the keynote speaker at the event.
The Ceremony took place in the early hours of the morning on April 24th 2025 and was moderated by Dr.Eric Patterson, VOC CEO.
Dr. Elisabeth Spaulding spoke about the importance of such event and the legacy of theblate Dr. Lee Edwards, founder of VOC. Many gathered to attend, share, remember and express resolve to keep fighting against communism and educating the young about it.
The invocation was carried by a lay minister who serves in the US Congress.
The evil deeds of communism worldwide are many and VOC is committed to keep up its work focused on educating and supporting those who are greatly affected by this ideology.
There were many Embassy reperesentatives from Easten European countries. Bulgaria Croatia and Romania were from the Balkan penninsula.
Many groups and organizations from varipus countries were present.
Dr Katrina Lantos Swett from Tom Lantos foundation conveyed her best wishes to us all and we shared our thanks for her dear father work towards Human Rights and Albania in particular.
Albanian Americans were represented well in both as sponsoring and attending the event with the top donor being the Dakoli Family of Texas, followed by Albanian American Council led by Mr. Haxhi Dauti, Mr. Cezar Ndreu, Bajraktari and Kalaja Families of Albania and others.
Wreaths were brought by various representatives of a few Albanian American organizations, like Albanian American Council, Albanian Community in Diocese of Arlington etc.
Nina Gjoci layed a wreath for the victims who lost their lives to protect the Free Speech during Communism in Albania, commemorating Havzi Nela (1988) Vilson Blloshmi and Genc Leka (1977).
Our local community here in the tri state area, sponsored the event and brought a wreath in remembrance of the Albanian martyrs of communism. I was honored to lay it by the memorial monument near Capitol Hill Building and said a prayer for their glorification in Heaven.
Martyrs of Albania , pray for us!
