On 24 September, President of Latvia Egils Levits visited the Michigan National Guard (MING) and expressed the deepest gratitude for all the support MING has provided to Latvian army over the past 28 years. President also paid tribute to the memory of the fallen soldiers.
Partnership between the Michigan National Guard and the Latvian Armed Forces is almost as long as the history of our renewed independence. It began in 1992 and has lasted over many joint missions. ‘Since then, we have developed individual as well as corporate friendships, have trained together, we have helped each other in a variety of ways. But most of all, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder on operations,’ President of Latvia stressed.
At the Michigan National Guard Fallen Soldier Wall, President Levits honoured the memory of two Latvian soldiers, Sergeant Voldemārs Anševics and Lance Corporal Andrejs Merkuševs, who gave their lives for freedom alongside their comrades from Michigan. “Our fallen soldiers did their duty to their countries and defended freedom and democracy. We continue to fight these threats every day. Therefore, I am sincerely grateful for the tremendous contribution the Michigan National Guard has made to the security and safety NATO,’ Egils Levits said.
