Mr Parliamentary Secretary, Mr General, Mr Principal, teachers, and future junior military instructors!
"To whom much is given, much is required", wrote General Goppers about his close friend and World War I battle comrade Oskars Kalpaks.
Colonel Kalpaks from a rural youth became an outstanding officer, respected and loved by his soldiers.
He was faithful friend, a patriot of his nation, honest in word and deed.
He also had a love for music, especially string music. He played the violin with passion and with visible success.
As soon as he heard in the autumn of 1915 of the opportunity to enlist in the future Latvian riflemen division, he immediately applied.
Kalpak's departure from the Russian unit where he served before was delayed. No unit wanted to lose such a capable officer during the war.
Today, when Ukraine is fighting valiantly for its freedom, when we see the war crimes committed by the Russian invaders, we are clearly aware that we must always be ready to defend our country, our people and our democracy.
Students of Kalpaks High School!
This is an important day not only for the Colonel Oskars Kalpaks Vocational High School, but also for Latvia and the entire National Armed Forces. Today you receive your school flag.
In the armed forces, every unit is complete only when it has its own flag.
For every soldier and unit, its flag is a sacred thing to be followed in battle and guarded more than life itself.
You are not a military unit, but you already understand what it means to be a guardian of your country.
You are not here by chance. You are all students of the Kalpaks School.
You feel the same national will that Oskars Kalpaks felt at the time of establishing and winning the independence of our free Latvia.
This flag captures the essence of Colonel Oskars Kalpaks. May it be a testimony to your striving for the same excellence that he achieved! I wish you success in your studies and your future life!
