Today at Riga Castle President of Latvia Egils Levits presented the Order of Viesturs to Colonel Mareks Ozoliņš and Lieutenant Colonel Andris Grīnvalds of the National Armed Forces at an individual ceremony.
“I would like to thank you for your service to the state of Latvia; the state of Latvia depends on you. You are exemplary representatives of our National Armed Forces, whom the state of Latvia highly appreciates. We appreciate the work you do on a daily basis, and your participation in international missions as the national security of Latvia depends on you, on the National Armed Forces as a whole. Latvia’s national security within the framework of NATO consists of two elements. The first of these is military capability, which in turn also consists of two aspects: arms, but even more importantly — the people, who are patriots, willing and able to ensure this military capability on a daily basis. The second element of the national security of Latvia is the political will of the public at large to defend our country. It is, of course, crucial for the armed forces to embody this will, but it is also the duty of society as a whole. Therefore, the armed forces always stand by the whole of society, the whole state. And the whole state always stands by the armed forces. These awards also represent that the state stands by you and appreciates your contribution to our security. Thank you!” said President of Latvia Egils Levits as he addressed the participants and attendees of the ceremony.