10 replies to this topic

[magic]

The other title could be - you know you lived your life good if even 15 years after your death you are still remembered not only by your family but also by your country.

Last week, we have received the letter to come and receive Sign Of Honor in my dad's name for taking part in barricades in 1991 to protect Latvia's independence.

My mom told I should do it so I went. The ceremony happened in the beginning of this week. They called names and ppl came up to receive the document, the order and the book they presented. It was all presented to ppl by one of the ministers of Latvia and the director of barricade's museum. While they made speech, ppl in audience were crying, including myself. Cause the speech was very emotional remembering how common citizens went to protect their country just 20 years ago with naked hands against the army with guns. Everyone of them could die and some died as well, some were also injured. And they also mentioned ppl who stayed home letting their husbands, brothers and dads go to the unknown destiny. Even some women went there. They said if their husbands are going then they are going too.

When ppl went up to receive the order they all said "Proud to serve to Latvia". When my turn was, I didn't feel like saying it cause I don't feel like I did something to Latvia to be proud about so I was thinking to say something else. I was thinking if I will be able to say something at all cause I got very emotional thinking that my dad should be the one receiving it, not me in his place So I went up and I said "Thank you to my dad" and, damn, my voice didn't make it and cracked and there were tears in my eyes so I quickly went down to my seat.

Later I remembered Prince and Paris receiving award in Michael's name and I just wondered how strong they are. They didn't crack down they seemed to be so strong. I couldn't do it

Anyway, after that there were a whine pause. I stayed one of the last ones in there and somehow started to talk with president of barricades museum. I said I am very interested in those times as I also remember it and my dad went to protect Latvia and how everybody were united. He said I could visit their exhibition in Dome's church in January. I said that I already know about the exhibition and I plan to visit it. He said if I am so interested then I may be also interested in helping to organize the same exhibition cause he has some ideas where he would need some help. I said I would love to and he gave me his card to contact him. So now I am going to write him and help about the exhibition in the name of my dad


The certificate


The order came in this little box.


Miks also valued it




There were two things in the box. The order that should be wore in holidays and a pin that can be wore every day.


On the other side there's written "For Latvia"


the little pin.

[soap]

That's nice.

What did he barricade?

And if you say it was normal citizens, then how did they know it was your dad?

[magic]

it was the end of Soviet Unionk, Latvia was still in the union. Gorbochov ordered to attack Lithuania, the TV centre, the radio etc... although he didn't admit it. So in the next day citizens decided to protect those important objects like radio, TV station, government building and the whole old city. Field workers from the country side came to Riga with the big machines they had like tractors etc and barricades the main streets leading in the old city. Ppl gathered with big machines the cement blocks and big streets and barricades the streets. Ppl were also siting and guarding the bridges day and night. They were exchanging, some ppl came to guard into the day time and went to sleep home and others came during the night time sitting by the bonfires and sleeping during the day. Some were working and guarding and they just got to sleep during the lunch time. This how strong they wanted the independence. President of museum also told there were ppl living in the old city coming to the ppl guarding the objects and offering keys to their apartment so ppl guarding could go to warm themselves and take a shower as it was in January and it was very cold.

My mom told she dressed my dad so warm that he complained about being hot My dad was guarding the TV tower

As I understand OMON (Soviet milicia that were the ones shooting) wanted to take over the radio and TV so no one could tell outside country what is going on.

As for how they found out, I am wondering about that myself. A woman I was talking to after the ceremony said they had to announce to some institutions recently who were going to barricades. But we are 100% sure we didn't announce anything as we didn't even know there's this order at all. But I have two other versions. One is that his work place knew who went to barricades, few of them from the work place went together so my dad's work could let institutions know. The other opinion I think is that I've read there were main point in the heart of the old city where ppl went and told they wanna take a part and then they were signed to different objects that still needed ppl. So they probably also signed their names there.

[magic]

here is more about barricades: http://en.wikipedia....vents_in_Latvia

[magic]

here's some pics to get some closer view about how did it look.








In The Dome's church located in the heart of the old city there were a place to sleep as well as medical point.








ppl were warming by the bonfires. There were strangers who made coffee to them and bread and went to feed them. Some farmers also sent meat to them. There were some shop to send them also muffins. Strangers also brought them smokes. It was all given for free cause they were the heroes guarding our country.




You can see Dome's church here with the medical cross.






The cement blocks ppl brought to block the old city.

[magic]

Video about that period:




Another terrifying footage from Riga just 20 years ago. The real shooting happened in centre. The camera falling is when one of the operators was injured. He later died from the injuries. Now there's a memorial stone in centre for him and others who died in January 1990.




It's hard to imagine I was just 30 mins away from all of this

[magic]

I've heard about their plan considering the TV building. They sent ppl inside the building, in the main hall after the entrance with a though if OMON will come, they wouldn't dare to shoot hundreds of ppl. Ppl were everywhere, the hall was stuffed, ppl were standing and sitting on stares. If OMON would shoot, the whole world would find it out and they didn't want it cause the world was against their actions. Gorbachov and Bush (the old one) had a deal or contract that USA will stay out of Soviet Union business if Garbachov would not use military force on Baltics. Garbachove didn't keep his part. This is why he didn't want to ppl to find out, this is why he denied he gave order to attack Lithuania. Lithuania suffered harder than we did cause their ppl died more.

[Mr Mean]

It's good they gave you this recognition.
I'm sorry for what happened to your country...
I'm with you

[Sharon007]

What a lovely memory you not have of your dad. Its very important to get those honours. He was fighting for his country and his family that day. You must be very proud of him.

[magic]

I am proud of him

[Phantom]

I think it's very nice to receive such an honour for your father