Freedom and Latvia

By Sgt. Angela ParadyNovember 12, 2014

Freedom and Latvia
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – American and Latvian Soldiers stand at attention during a garrison formation at Adazi Training Area, Latvia, Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014. The Soldiers are part of the U.S. Army Europe-led Operation Atlantic Resolve land force assurance training taking plac... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Freedom and Latvia
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Sgt. Thomas Thornhill, first sergeant for Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, presents members of the Latvian armed forces with the Attack Tab for their successful completion of a fitne... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

LATVIA - Freedom is one of the most common ideals for democracies around the world. The word itself is described as a relationship free of oppression or coercion and the absence of disabling conditions. It is also referenced when individuals exercise their rights or the rights of a group, such as with religion or speech. For many, freedom is having the ability to make their own decisions and express them as they see fit.

Opposite of a free society is a dystopian society. This is characterized by oppression, poverty and violence. Information, independent thought and freedom are restricted. Citizens are perceived to be under constant surveillance. Individuality and dissent are repressed. These were the conditions that existed in the occupied countries of Eastern Europe, Poland, and the Baltic states.

Latvia, is one of those countries that has spent most of the last century living under the oppression of foreign militaries.

Although the country officially gained independence in 1918, the country has been a hotspot politically, according to Col. Martins Liberts, commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces, Land Forces/Infantry Brigade. From independence until the early 1990s, the country went through periods of oppression and occupation, until 1991 when they regained sovereignty from the Soviet Union.

"Most only think of our occupation by the Soviet Union, but we were also occupied during World War I and World War II, as well as a period of Swedish occupation and of course, the Germans too," he said. "That makes us survivors. We have survived for centuries to maintain our own language, our culture. That makes us stronger, and maybe more than most, we value that freedom and liberty. We really know the price for freedom and liberty."

Liberts spent half his life living in Latvia under the Soviet Regime. He recalls that period as a time of having no control. The shops were all controlled, so people could not choose where to shop, what to wear or even what to eat.

Travel was limited to only countries within the Soviet Bloc, so Liberts could not even travel to Poland without obtaining permission.

"Now, we live in a free world," he said. "I can travel where I want. We have the freedom to use our own language. We have the freedom to express our culture, religion, to raise our children in a way we want."

Liberts sees the difference in Latvia today from when he was a child. He said he appreciates the options he is given, and the ability to choose.

"Freedom, is the ability to make a choice and an opinion," he said. "To move when and where I want, not be restricted."

Capt. Gerald Stoermer, commander of Attack Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and his company are training in Latvia alongside their Norwegian and Latvian allies in NATO. He defined freedom in more definite terms.

"Freedom is being able to walk out your front door and not have to worry. You have security. You can have your own opinions about things without being worried about being detained, or killed or beat up."

Freedom also gave the Latvians a chance to pursue career paths of their own choosing and for Liberts, it gave him the ability to become a senior ranking officer in the Latvian Armed Forces.

"Freedom has given us the ability to express one's self and to complete your ambitions," said Liberts.

He said that he couldn't have made it as far professionally as he has in another military profession, or if Latvia was still under the influence of a foreign country.

Pvt. Diana Peonckute is a signaler with the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Latvian Land Forces Brigade. The young soldier is currently studying telecommunications at the local university in Riga.

"Freedom is being able to choose what I want to be in my future," she said. "For example, in our Army, it is important to grow. Not just physically but, also in mind. So I am studying, so that I can bring this knowledge to my unit, and they support me in this."

Sgt. Vegar Leifseth Ulsom is a squad leader in the Norwegian Army. His grandparents both lived through the German occupation of Norway in the 1940's. They taught him to appreciate the rights he was able to enjoy growing up and taught him to always do whatever he must to stay free.

"Freedom, is a tricky subject," he said. "It seems so natural, that you don't think about it on an every day basis, until you are somewhere it is not. But for me, freedom is the basics, the right to say what you want, think what you want and as long as you live by the rules, there is no prosecution from the government."

Soldiers from the Norwegian Armed Forces, U.S. Forces, and Latvia have been able to train together following Latvia's entrance into NATO and the European Union have granted Latvia access to larger military resources. The Soldiers have been able to share knowledge of military tactics and techniques, and of equal importance, some of their culture, their history, and their thoughts on freedom.

Latvia is currently hosting the multinational Soldiers, as part of a larger NATO led operation being held in Poland and the Baltic states of Baltic States of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Participating Soldiers are able to work side by side and learn about each other professionally, culturally, and personally. Building relationships and connections that ultimately help strengthen interoperability.

"Americans are more specialized in the military," said

Peonckute. "We are a much smaller Army, so we are more general. We all know each other's jobs because of it. We are little, but we are strong. We can take care of ourselves, but it is good to build relationships with our partners."

Liberts agreed. The focus of the mission is to bring in many different nations, currently Norwegians and American's are staying at his camp at Adazi Training Area.

"Multinational cooperation is the key term," he said. "Back in our countries, we learn our national way of doing things. When we come together, we can share experiences and get advice and knowledge to build understanding and interoperability. We don't know what is next, so we are developing our soldiers, practicing our tasks, and becoming better soldiers."