Memorial to fallen soldiers
On 11 November 2016, on the Day of Latvian Armed Forces, in honour of Latvian soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in combat, a memorial to the fallen soldiers of the National Armed Forces was opened at the Adazi base.
Since the restoration of the Latvian Armed Forces, Latvian soldiers have participated in numerous international operations and combat missions, sacrificing their lives to strengthen Latvia's security. Through their deeds, they have proved that Latvian soldiers are loyal and selfless in defending the highest values. Thus, in order to honour the contribution of soldiers to strengthening Latvia's security, a memorial to fallen soldiers has been established.
The sculptor of the memorial is Kristaps Strauts.
The artistic composition of the monument is subordinate to the inscription "Strength in Unity" carved into its base. The unifying element of the composition is the coat of arms of the Latvian Armed Forces, symbolising the enduring value of Latvia.
The memorial complex, like the Freedom Monument, has been created with voluntary donations, and citizens have contributed to the creation of the memorial with their work. The total cost of the memorial is EUR 53 619.57.
On 26 September 2014, the first phase of the Fallen Soldiers Memorial was unveiled with the aim of demonstrating to donors how the funds donated for the memorial are being invested.
On 7 August 2017, a street named after Sergeant Voldemārs Anševics, a Latvian soldier killed in Afghanistan, was opened at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Centre in the US state of Michigan, with the participation of Lieutenant General Leonids Kalnins, Commander of the National Armed Forces, and Colonel James Andrew Roberts, Commander of the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Centre.
Sergeant Voldemārs Anševics of the 1st Infantry Battalion of the Land Forces was killed on 1 May 2009 in an insurgent attack on an Afghan National Army observation post in Kunar province. The street dedicated to his memory was opened in Alpena, as members of the Latvian contingent were serving in Afghanistan together with members of the US Michigan National Guard in the Latvian-US Operational Cooperation Advisory Group.