RIGA- Several hundred people came out to celebrate Lacplesis Day and watch the traditional military parade by the Freedom Monument to commemorate the freedom fighters who won the country's independence in the World War I.
The parade was observed and greeted by Latvian President Valdis Zatlers, Defence Minister Vinets Veldre and National Armed Forces (NAF) commander Juris Maklakovs.
Zatlers in his speech said "the 1919 freedom fights and the victory was one of the most significant victories in Latvian history."
He stressed the fact that currently, Latvia is a NATO member and not to worry about the nation's security. Zatlers went around greeting troops and thanked parents of the soldiers for "raising nationalists."
Zatlers and other government representatives laid flowers at the FreedomMonument.
About 250 troops participated in the parade. The parade was watched by elderly people, many young people, students, school children, and foreign guests.
Later for the first time, a special ceremony for the change of guards of honor was held at the FreedomMonument, to mark the 16th anniversary for renewing the guard of honor by the monument and the 90th anniversary of the Latvian state.
After restoration of Latvia's independence in 1991, November 11 was made the official date for commemoration of Latvian soldiers, who had died for the country's freedom. The date is called Lacplesis' Day after the Latvian folk epic hero Lacplesis, who fought against foreign invaders for the freedom of Latvia.
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