Lithuania Strong® was born from a desire to give proud Lithuanians a bold, stylish way to celebrate and share our heritage. Every design we create is rooted in the spirit of resilience — a trait that defines who we are as a people. We believe that Lithuanians are overcomers, capable of thriving no matter the challenge.
Now that I’m the father of two amazing girls, I often reflect on my own childhood with deep gratitude — especially for my mother and grandparents. As a first-generation Lithuanian-American, I was fortunate to grow up on the Jersey Shore while also learning what it truly meant to be Lithuanian.
I’ll admit, I wasn’t always thrilled about the hour-long drive each way to attend St.Peter and Paul Church every Sunday with my grandparents. But what I did love were the stories shared afterward at Liberty Hall — tales of perseverance, identity, and culture that quietly shaped the values I carry today.
My grandparents, Petras and Ona Lanauskas, along with my mother Vida and aunt Birutė, arrived at Ellis Island on July 4, 1949, determined to rebuild their lives in America. Seventy years later, on July 4, 2019, we took a family trip from Colorado to New York and New Jersey — retracing their steps and visiting Ellis Island so our daughters could see where our family's American journey began.
I’m incredibly fortunate to have visited Lithuania thirteen times, beginning with my first trip in November of 1991. That visit was especially impactful — I sat with my aunts, uncles, and cousins and listened to stories of the deep gratitude they felt for my grandparents. Because of the sacrifices Petras and Ona made in leaving Lithuania, many of our relatives were able to attend college, start businesses, and buy homes. Their courage changed the course of our family’s future — both in America and in Lithuania.
During that first trip, I was taken to Kazlų Rūda, and the stories I’d grown up hearing suddenly came to life. One of the most powerful moments was seeing the monument dedicated to the partisans — and on it, the names of three of my great-uncles, including “Tigras,” the leader of the resistance. I stood there with immense pride, knowing I come from a family that fought bravely for freedom. I am proud to carry the names Lanauskas and Zindzius.
While working on Wall Street, my mother, Vida Lanys Anton, became the designated host for Artūras Karnišovas while he attended Seton Hall University. One of the unexpected joys of being Artūras’s "American brother" was getting to attend over a hundred of his games — whether with Seton Hall or the Lithuanian National Team — because I wanted him to know there was always someone in the stands cheering for him.
Our family will always cheer for Lithuania, no matter the sport or activity. I am truly grateful that I was raised to respect America while always remembering and honoring my Lithuanian roots.
As a family, we’ve preserved many of the traditions I learned as a child. We still celebrate Kūčios, enjoy egg-cracking at Easter, and my wife has perfected the art of making Borscht and Kugelis. Our oldest daughter, Ashlyn Ona, named after her great-grandmother, has even learned to make varškėčiai from her močiutė, my mom, Vida. One of the greatest blessings is that our daughters had the chance to live with their great-grandmother, Ona Zindzius Lanys — lovingly known as “Nanny” — the person I admire most. She passed away in November 2016, just weeks shy of her 100th birthday, and her life continues to inspire everything we do.
Being proud of our family heritage and giving others the ability to show their pride in Lithuania is exactly why we launched Lithuania Strong®. It’s more than a brand — it’s a legacy.
Lithuania Strong Apparel® is a division of Old Tortuga Trading Co., which began operations in November of 2012.
MJ "Mykolas" Anton
Managing Director
6670 Shannon Trail
Littleton, CO 80130
Tel: 720.432.7001