Latvia honors armed forces, remembers fallen heroes

Latvia paid tribute to its armed forces and remembered soldiers fallen in various wars on Lacplesis Day which is marked on November 11, with military parade, concerts and many other events across the country on Friday.

Several thousand residents and visitors of the Latvian capital city gathered by the Freedom Monument in downtown Riga to watch some 370 troops, border guards, police officers and firefighters march in the traditional Lacplesis Day military parade.

President Raimonds Vejonis, who is also the supreme commander of the Latvian armed forces, addressed the people saying that Latvia is as strong as its citizens' will to defend it.

Addressing the troops, the president thanked them for their selfless service and called then the "symbol of nation's strength and courage."

Later, Vejonis unveiled a memorial to the Latvian soldiers fallen in modern-day military operations.

In the evening, people flocked to the bank of the River Daugava to light candles and put them on the wall of Riga Castle in demonstration of national unity and remembrance of all soldiers who have sacrificed their lives for Latvia.

In addition, more than 500 people marched in a torchlight procession from Riga Brethren Cemetery, the burial place of soldiers killed in World War I battles, to the Freedom Monument. Endit