Message from the President of Latvia Egils Levits was read out today at the Latvian soldiers memorial at Litene cemetery during a commemoration of 14 June 1941 victims. Here is the message:
‘Today marks 80 years since Soviet Union, which had occupied Latvia, committed a crime and deported thousands of Latvian residents forcefully extracting them from their homes and everyday lives. Latvian soldiers controlled by occupation army were ambushed and disarmed, and then deported from Litene. Litene is the place where road to Calvary began for our soldiers and officers, and that is why we come here every year to honour the deportees and those who died.
Latvian military were deprived of their most sacred obligation: to fight the aggressor, defend Latvian State, land and people, and protect their families from tragedy. Despite having no chance of winning, some officers managed to escape and fought back the attackers, while others fled the scene to avoid the fate of many of their brothers-in-arms who later died in Russian prisons and Siberian camps.
Motivated by love for their near and dear ones, and ideals, Latvian soldiers continued to resist despite the impossible circumstances. We are yet to fully appreciate and understand the courage of our men on the battlefield and in all ways in which they fought and resisted the occupying powers, even as they served in foreign armies. Our researchers still have plenty of work ahead of them and it will take time for people to fully realise their role in the fate of our nation and history of our state.
Today we can enjoy our renewed freedom and independence the way many who made this sacred sacrifice could only dream about. Let us appreciate that! Our armed forces and government have reliable allies and Latvia is protected better than ever.
Fellow countrymen, as we pay tribute to victims of Litene tragedy, let us read out their names and from now on keep them in the collective memory of our nation.
May Latvia live forever! We will never forget those who defended Latvia!’