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A former member of Germany's Waffen SS lays flowers at the foot of Riga's

Freedom Monument. In one of the most dramatic open 20th century wounds

remaining, the former soldiers claim to have been fighting for their country

against the Soviets, but much of the world sees them as unrepentant Nazis.

 

 

Latvia's Grey-Haired Legionnaires Never Fought for German Glory (Latvijas Avize, Latvia)

 

This article looks at Latvia's annual Legionnaires’ Day march to Riga's Freedom Monument by former Latvian members of the Waffen SS, an open wound from WWII that has taken on added drama thanks to recent events in Ukraine. The men who are now mostly in their eighties and nineties, fought the Soviet Union on the side of Germany after Latvia was overrun by the Nazis in 1941. When the war ended, these soldiers, who claim only to have fought for their country against Soviet occupation, endured decades of unrelenting humiliation while the country was behind the Iron Curtain. Since Latvia's independence after the Soviet collapse, their annual march has been a hot potato that the authorities tolerate, but that many people in and out of the country protest as a dangerous tribute to Nazism.

 

By Agris Liepins

 

Translated By Egija Mierkalne

 

March 26, 2014

 

Latvia - Latvijas Avize - Original Article (Latvian)

Latvians protest communism and Nazism on Legionaire's Day, Kiev, Mar. 16.

 

JEWISH NEWS ONE, ISRAEL: Latvians honor Waffen-SS veterans on Latvian Legionaire's Day, March 19, 2012, 00:03:06RealVideo

[The Republic of Latvia was occupied and annexed by the USSR in June of 1940. One year of Soviet rule was followed by four years of another occupation - this time by the army of Hitler's Third Reich. After Germany's defeat, the Soviet occupation returned, lasting for the next 45 years.]

 

As happens every year [March 16], much-grizzled legionnaires will carry out their painful Calvary procession to show their love for Latvia, for a country they dreamed of while lying in muddy trenches dressed in uniforms imposed by an occupying power. For this country and its freedom, many gave their lives. The grey-haired legionnaires go to the Freedom Monument because at the foot of the edifice are inscribed what for them are the most sacred words : "For Fatherland and Freedom."

 

The delusion that German weapons would bring freedom for Latvia ended long ago. The bitter pain of injustice dissipated after gazing in despair in the direction of Churchill or Roosevelt. For the rest of their lives, the legionnaires were destined to march under the yoke of humiliation and contempt in their Russian-occupied homeland. The soldiers drew strength from their faith that Mother Latvia would never compromise on her lost sons, would understand them and forgive them. Mother Latvia would allow these grey-haired men to lovingly lay their blood-spattered flowers at her feet.

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Illusions that a free Latvia would bring the era of humiliation to an end have also long ago dissipated. The hope of breaking free of bitter grievance was covered in ashes as they heard themselves called fascists and gazed into the eyes of pig heads with gallows ropes around their throats. Legionnaires no longer gaze in despair at the Saeima [parliament] or police. Last year, with sirens wailing, the soldiers realized that help would never arrive, the ridicule and taunt destined to continue until the end of their lives. All they had was faith that Mother Latvia would never give up on her sons.

 

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Self-interested politicians may stuff their ears with cotton, crawl under their desks and tremble in fear over the factional provocations of their own. The police can put chains around the Freedom Monument and hold all-day consultations with the “anti-fascists.” The head of government can lock his office doors with nine keys so he won't have to justify himself. The grizzled legionnaires are no longer affected by this petty and cowardly uproar. Having already forded every circle of hellish humiliation, they have ascended to a far higher level where they commune with Mother Latvia. Mother Latvia has never renounced her sons. She tilts her head in awe before the loyalty of her soldiers and with love accepts the flowers from her grey-haired warriors' hands.

 

Reporter Karlis Skalbe quoted one soldier: “I can assure you that no Latvian wanted to fight for the glory of Germany. Those who fought and fell did so for Latvia's freedom. There are times when the noble knight cannot openly mention the name of his lady, but must express himself by standing guard with his heart and his sword. Latvia long ago established itself as a nation, and too many have pledged their allegiance for her to disappear from history's stage without a fight.”

 

 

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Posted By Worldmeets.US Mar. 26, 2014, 1:53pm