On 20 June, employees of the Estonian Embassy in Washington and the members of the local Estonian community commemorated Estonians who fought with the armed forces of the USA during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
During the memorial event, American and Estonian flags along with flowers were placed by the monuments to the Vietnam and Korean Wars and on the graves and memorial stone of four Estonians in Arlington Cemetery (Major Aado Kommandant, Lieutenant Colonel Vallo Truuman, Lieutenant Colonel Jüri Raus, and Private Jaak Kuri).
Those attending the event then went to the Estonian Embassy, where Ambassador Marina Kaljurand read a message from Minister of Defense Urmas Reinsalu, the embassy’s defense attaché colonel Aivar Saleshkin recalled his memories of Estonian soldiers, and deacon Agu Ets led a prayer.
In his message, Minister of Defense Reinsalu conveyed his respect for the Estonians that, during the time of the Cold War, fought in the name of freedom and democracy in various wars wearing the uniforms of the USA’s armed forces. “Since battles fought wearing an American uniform are still a part of Estonia’s war history, I call on everyone to share stories of soldiers with Estonian roots with younger generations and to visit the Estonian War Museum,” the Minister had written.
The proposal to start commemorating Estonians that fought with the armed forces of the United States was made by long-time chairman of the Washington Estonian Society and news editor for Voice of America Gunnar Paabo. A plan has been made to honor veterans and commemorate those who fought every year shortly before Victory Day. As next year will be the 95th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia, the Estonian Embassy in Washington would like to gather more information on Estonian war veterans that have worn American uniforms, including those who have recently participated in military operations.
Recently the remains of Air Force pilot Major Aado Kommandant, who had gone missing in action during the Vietnam War, were discovered and will be buried in Arlington Cemetery on 8 August.
As 2012 marks 50 years since the beginning of the Vietnam War, in May of this year on Memorial Day President Barack Obama kicked off a 13-year commemoration program to take place across the country that will honor and commemorate those who fought in the Vietnam War.
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/estonian-embassy-washington/sets/72157630223751606/
Additional information:
Terje Raadik
Press spokesperson
Estonian Embassy in the United States
