News / Dozens of thousands observe Armed Forces parade on Daugava Embankment in Riga

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Dozens of thousands observe Armed Forces parade on Daugava Embankment in Riga

18.11.2008

RIGA, Nov 18 (LETA) - Regardless of the cold weather, dozens of thousands turned out at the Daugava Embankment in Old Town Riga today to observe the National Armed Forces parade.

People gathered on both sides of 11.novembra krastmala Street, many with Latvian flags. There were many children and young people in the crowd.

680 Armed Forces and Home Guard soldiers, the Border Guard, the police and the State Fire and Rescue Service officers, as well as soldiers from several NATO countries' armed forces took part in the parade.

Addressing the people, President and Commander-in-Chief Valdis Zatlers said that Latvia preserved its freedom during the War of Independence, when Latvia's allies helped the country greatly. "Today, we have many allies," said Zatlers, emphasizing that military representatives from Latvia's ally countries also took part in the parade today.

The Latvian army is made up of professional and well-trained soldiers, Zatlers said, congratulating the Armed Forces soldiers and their loved ones on the 90th Anniversary of Latvia.

After Zatlers' speech, the national anthem was played and the Home Guard Anti-Aircraft Battalion rendered the 21-gun salute.

Armed Forces General Juris Vectirans commanded the parade.

Units from the Latvian Air Force, National Defense Academy, the Land Force and the Navy participated in the parade. In conclusion of the parade, three Air Force helicopters "Mi-17" and two Border Guard helicopters "Augusta 109 Power" flew over Riga, as well as two NATO aircraft "F-15".

In the Daugava River, Naval Forces ships "Talivaldis", "Varonis", "Lode", Linga" and the Baltic Squadron ships from Lithuania "Zemaitis" and "Kursi" as well as the Border Guard patrol boat "Randa" were on display.

After the parade, Zatlers shook hands with and talked to many residents who had come to watch the parade, congratulating them on the 90th Anniversary of the Republic of Latvia, LETA observed.

Many of the officials who watched the parade had brought their children along.

Representatives from many foreign mass media also observed the parade.

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