Soldiers,
Members of the National Guard,
Members of the Youth Guard,
Police and Border Force officers,
Members of the Rescue and Fire Fighting Service,
Excellences,
Ladies and gentlemen,
I
Free and independent state is the biggest gift we can receive from our predecessors and pass on to the next generation.
Our generation has been given this opportunity to leave a strong and safe Latvia to our children and grandchildren. An opportunity our predecessors did not have during the first century of Latvia.
II
We celebrate the centenary of our victory in the War of Independence this year. Our bear slayers won our country back then, but you cannot just win it once and forever. Each new generation must be ready to win its own battle for Latvia.
This year we recognise heroism and honour our heroes who paved the way for free and independent Latvia. We contemplate the value of having our own state, how fragile and vigilantly guarded our independence must be.
III
Heroism has never been something distant for our nation. Previous century is a clear demonstration of our nation’s heroism and national aspirations.
Image of Colonel Oskars Kalpaks, Latvian students and schoolchildren who despite their young age volunteered to defend Latvia in the War of Independence will be forever engraved in our collective memory. Accounts of heroic deeds of freedom fighters inspire and strengthen our confidence in ourselves and give faith in our country.
IV
Many heroes are still waiting for their return home – in the history of Latvia and our collective memory.
Masļenki border force officers who refused to abandon their positions and defended the national border to the end. Underground Soviet occupation resistance movement of young school students. Latvian central Council and Kurelians who asserted the continuity of our state and fought both occupying forces. National partisans who never gave up the fight for regaining of independence despite being outnumbered. And many others who did not break and kept their faith in Latvia despite all the difficulties.
We must restore our collective memory and give the due credit to the heroes of Latvian national resistance movement.
V
It is only now that we begin to fully grasp and truly appreciate how brave and fearless our people were in restoring our independent state after all the years of Soviet occupation. Almost everyone took part in mass rallies and the Baltic Way, decisive vote for Latvia and January barricades despite the obvious risk to their freedom and life. We all had one thought and held our breath for the same – for Latvia.
Those heroes are still among us. They mostly shy away from bold tales of their personal role in struggle for independence. Back then everyone who joined collective struggle for regaining of Latvia mattered.
VI
We have always tried to defend Latvia ourselves, but we have also always needed and welcomed the support of our friends and allies.
We joined NATO 15 years ago. Allies make us stronger that we would have been on our own. Together with our allies we can secure peace and defend our shared values, such as democracy, civil liberties and the rule of law, more successfully.
Enhanced forward presence of NATO troops in the Baltics and Poland gives us additional assurance. It also improves cooperation between all NATO member states in the implementation of Alliance’s collective goals. Our friends and allies who help us defend the freedom and security of our country are also with us for today’s military parade.
VII
Heroes are not something that belongs to the past. We also have heroes among us today. People who treat their professional duty with high sense of responsibility and on whom we can fully rely. We can feel safe because we have our fire and rescue service, policemen and border force, and our National Armed Forces.
Latvia knows that it can rely on those who defend it and the whole country is grateful for your service.
There are families and relatives behind each defender of Latvia. They are deeply involved with the professional duties and will always back their heroes no matter what. Let me thank all the families and relatives for all the support and encouragement they give to our defenders.
VIII
The most valuable lesson of the past hundred years is that Latvia can be won and defended only when the whole nation is behind it. Only when we all stand on each other’s shoulders for Latvia will we be able defend it and rise above any challenge.
Let us be strong and united for Latvia!
God bless Latvia!
