On Saturday, veterans and freedom-fighters of 20th Estonian Grenadier Division again convene at Sinimäed, Vaivara Commune of Ida-Viru County, to honour soldiers lost in the battles.
Blue Hills to host traditional veterans get-together
24th July 2014, 15:04
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This year, the meeting has a broader reach to also commemorate 70 years from battles to defend Estonia.
According to 20th Estonian Grenadier Division veteran association chairman Mauri Kiudsoo, the event starts at 11 am. «If it will be really hot, the old men may not want to stay in the sung too long,» Explained Mr Kiudsoo, adding that they would be there till two or three o’clock, probably.
Mr Kiudsoo expects some 500 people to come. «Of those who did battle at Sinimäed, dozens are still with us. It’s another matter how many will show up. With people advanced in years, sometimes the family are unwilling to have them out of the home,» he said.
With the Sinimäed event, each year raises the issue of pro-Russia provocateurs. According to Vaivara Commune mayor Heiki Luts, no demonstrations have been registered for Saturday. «Over these past years they have not registered and the numbers of provocateurs are significantly down,» said Mauri Kiudsoo.
«What used to happen earlier was quite ugly... During the Estonian anthem, they blasted L'Internationale somewhere near us and tried to heckle the preacher,» recalls Mr Kiudsoo.
He is more than convinced that each year provocateurs are trying to disrupt the meeting, but Law and Order is doing a good job to keep conflicts from ever happening. As assured by Eastern Prefecture press rep, the Sinimäed get-together has heightened police attention every year.
To guard the semi-closed meeting, organisers have also hired a security company providing the hands to keep potential provocateurs away. «We have always managed, so that the old men up there at the cross will usually not even hear of any provocateurs.»
According to Mr Kiudsoo, Saturday will surely see other Estonian freedom-fighter organisations represented as well – such as fought in border-guard regiments. «Sinimäed is just a part of the Tannenberg Line of 1944,» he noted.
The Sinimäed battles were the severest on Estonian soil. For many soldiers, this is their final resting place. Here, veterans have been gathering on the final week of July since 1994.