Essay contest for the youth
In 2018 for the third time, the Latvian Transatlantic Organisation in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence, organised an essay contest for young people under 21. Participants were invited to write their reflections on two topics: “NATO’s role in the security of my country” and “Why is it important to protect Latvia?”.
The winners had the chance to visit the National Armed Forces Air Force Aviation Base in Lielvārde, where they had a chance to view helicopters “Mi-17”, the aerodrome fire-fighting equipment, and meet with soldiers from the U.S. who introduced the youth with their equipment and weapons. The contestants also met with aviation-base soldiers of the National Armed Forces, who trained them how to handle an anti aircraft missile simulation system.
The Air Force Aviation Base was visited by the 1st place winner from Viļānu Secondary School Jeļizaveta Klimanova, the 2nd place winner, a student from Riga Stradins University Germans Murins, as well as the 3rd place winner from Riga State 3rd gymnasium – Tomass Stepiņš.
In 2017 the contestants were invited to write their reflections on two topics: “How do I protect Latvia?” and “My story to the Allied Soldier about Latvia”. The winners visited the National Armed Forces Air Force Aviation Base in Lielvārde, viewed U.S. transport helicopters BlackHawk and Chinook, and the Apache combat helicopter, met with U.S. soldiers and soldiers of the National Armed Forces Air Force Aviation Base, as well as viewed the helicopters “Mi–17” and the fire–fighting technique.
The Air Force Aviation Base was visited by the 1st place winner from the Riga State 1. gymnasium Linda Lielbriede, 2nd place winner from Naujenes elementary school Dāvis Daniels Kursišs, Eva Sprinģe from Rugāju disctrict secondary school and Mārtiņš Dubovskis from Riga Construction Secondary School, as well as the 3rd place winner from Daugavpils Unit elementary school Madara Stašāne.
The essay contest was organised in 2016 for the first time. The youth were asked to express their opinions on the question “Security and Defence of Latvia – the honour of every national patriot: what can I do for the security of Latvia?”.