On 21st of February 2023, the members of the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) family gathered to celebrate the Independence Days of Estonia (24 February) and Lithuania (16 February) and the 24th Anniversary of the BALTDEFCOL (25 February).
The Commandant, Brigadier General Ilmar Tamm, opened the reception by expressing his gratitude and privilege to recognise those important days in the history of both nations and the College. Within his speech, he highlighted that „Estonians fought for self-determination and freedom more than 100 years ago. We can’t feel and sense the details from that time period and have to rely on history and our imagination; however, it should vividly be drilled into our consciousness by today that freedom is not self-evident, and Russia’s imperialistic ambitions have not changed“. He also highlighted the remarkable and continuous development of the College in the past 24 years recognised by achieving the NATO Accredited Education and Training Facility status. He was also very honoured to represent the Baltic Defence College with the College flag team at Freedom Square in Tallinn during the military parade.
The Commandant’s speech was followed by the remarks of the Lithuanian Senior National Representative, Colonel Andriejus Grachauskas, the Director of the Joint Command and General Staff Course and Civil Servant Course. Col Grachauskas briefly discussed the Lithuanian way to independence and explained the history behind the two independence days.
The students then gave an overview of the history of both countries to briefly explain the difficulty of fighting for freedom and the struggle to defend the sovereignty of newly created independent nations. Ad Securitatem Patriarum!
The Commandant, Brigadier General Ilmar Tamm, opened the reception by expressing his gratitude and privilege to recognise those important days in the history of both nations and the College. Within his speech, he highlighted that „Estonians fought for self-determination and freedom more than 100 years ago. We can’t feel and sense the details from that time period and have to rely on history and our imagination; however, it should vividly be drilled into our consciousness by today that freedom is not self-evident, and Russia’s imperialistic ambitions have not changed“. He also highlighted the remarkable and continuous development of the College in the past 24 years recognised by achieving the NATO Accredited Education and Training Facility status. He was also very honoured to represent the Baltic Defence College with the College flag team at Freedom Square in Tallinn during the military parade.
The Commandant’s speech was followed by the remarks of the Lithuanian Senior National Representative, Colonel Andriejus Grachauskas, the Director of the Joint Command and General Staff Course and Civil Servant Course. Col Grachauskas briefly discussed the Lithuanian way to independence and explained the history behind the two independence days.
The students then gave an overview of the history of both countries to briefly explain the difficulty of fighting for freedom and the struggle to defend the sovereignty of newly created independent nations. Ad Securitatem Patriarum!
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