My Lord,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

In the hearts of the Estonian people General Laidoner has been a symbol of our Liberation War. He symbolizes the belief that if you are on your mettle, if you have courage and initiative, expedience and stamina, you can accomplish things that otherwise would seem impossible. As a soldier in the same league with General Pilsudski and Marshal Mannerheim. To immortalize the name of our Commander in Chief of the Estonian Liberation War Johannes Laidoner means the same as to maintain the freedom of Estonia. In this connection I would like to thank Lord Carlisle on behalf of myself and all the Estonian people for his work, zeal and self-denial. To have such friends as Lord Carlisle is a major asset Estonia can boast.

A moment ago I spoke about General Laidoner as a symbol of accomplishing impossible tasks recapturing of the independence of the Baltic states was in the domain of science fiction. A dozen years ago there were many who dreamed about our independent Estonia, but few who actually fought for it. Now it has been accomplished. In a globalizing and integrating world of today there is hardly a better example of cooperation between three small nations than a joint peace-keeping battalion.


This is our contribution, our duty, and our chance. Let us make our unwavering contribution, ennoble our duty, and value our chance. For if we do not value this chance, history need not give us another.

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