Page created by: Sad?nas Family

War Refugee| Immigrant | Rocket Scientist | Photography Enthusiast | Music Lover | Dancer | Husband | Father | Grandfather | Brother | Uncle | Friend | Gentle | Strong | Generous | Compassionate | Courageous | Proud Lithuanian-American | Loved

Excerpt from a essay written by Jonas's grandson, Anton Smariga, in October 2014, when he was 12 years-old:

A person I know that has demonstrated courage is my grandfather. He has had to go through many different tough aspects of life. First, when he was young, he packed up and fled Lithuania when the Soviets were invading. He had the courage to go out on the streets, and GET OUT, He had the courage to just get out there, and he knew he could make it out alive, knowing he would be fine, and he was. He had the courage to hop on a train and get to Germany where he lived in a camp with all the other people who had escaped. He had the courage to stay strong and travel to Great Britain, and then to the United States where he lived happily.

Next, my grandfather had the courage to be who he wanted to be, after everything he had been through. He wanted to be a rocket scientist, so he studied hard in school. Even after his rough childhood, he was still able to accomplish many great things. With courage and will power, he helped create many things we know as "famous" today. He helped build the satellite system and helped design Apollo. He was able to express his personality to build these satellites and rockets no matter what everyone thought of his opinions, and he did this with courage.

Lastly, my grandfather has the courage to work through his Parkinson's disease in old age. He has had the hardest time these past few years. He has been hospitalized multiple times because he has fallen and not been able to get up, while he has been hurt in the process. He still uses stairs and goes outside even though he may fall. He now uses a wheelchair, and he still cannot stay seated in that. He still has the courage to do things we all know he cannot do. He still tries to walk, and still tries to do yard work, and he just tries to get around. He may be trapped at the house all day, and he may not be able to do a lot, but that does not stop him. He may fall down, but he always gets up. He does not let anything stop him. He demonstrates amazing courage. This is what courage means. This is the true power of courage. My grandfather, is the true definition of courage.