Latvian top officials attend annual commemoration ceremony for soldiers [11 Nov 2004]

Latvia's top officials, lawmakers, ministers, top military commanders and the Riga City Council leaders on 11 November participated in the ceremony for commemoration of Latvian soldiers organized on 11 November annually.

Latvian President, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, and Defence Minister, Atis Slakteris, spoke at the ceremony at the Eternal Fire in front of the Mother Latvia sculpture in the Brethren Cemetery in Riga.

"Here, at the feet of the Mother Latvia, lie those, who were willing to give up their lives for a free Latvian state. Today we honour them and all others anywhere in the world, who were ready to sacrifice their lives for freedom only to have the peoples finally breathe freely," said the President.

In the afternoon, the President addressed the Latvian people gathered at the Freedom Monument in downtown Riga, remembering the early history of the Latvian Army and expressing her confidence in its readiness to participate in international peacekeeping missions in the lines of NATO forces.

Later, the President laid flowers at the feet of the Monument and together with the Defence Minister, Atis Slakteris, and Commander of the Latvian National Armed Force (NAF), Gaidis Andrejs Zeibots, received the parade of the NAF Riga Garrison.

Afterwards, the officials headed for the President's Castle where a ceremonial changing of the guard of honour took place.

Latvia first proclaimed its independence on 18 November 1918, but had to protect its newly-obtained freedom in a fierce and uneven battle with the German army until 11 November 1919.

After restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991, November 11 was made the official date for commemoration of Latvian soldiers, who had died for the country's freedom. The date is called the Lacplesis' Day after the Latvian folk tale hero Lacplesis, who fought against foreign invaders for freedom of his country.

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