The Latvian contingent will be part of more than 6,400 participants from Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and France.
"The Latvian Honor Guard has been participating in the Bastille Day parade for several years, but until now it has taken place with a smaller number – only a flag group consisting of four soldiers. It is a great honor for us to present the flag and uniform of Latvia in this grand parade and at a world-renowned place - the Champs Elysees. For the soldiers, it is a unique opportunity to be here and get to know the French armed forces, as well as the military units of other NATO countries. I wish the residents and guests of Paris, as well as the entire French nation, a beautiful holiday!" said commander of the headquarters battalion, captain Seldzis Grasmanis.
This year, 13 soldiers of the Honor Guard company will represent Latvia in the Bastille Day parade, the origins of which date back to 1880.
The beginnings of the Honor Guard as a unit can be traced back to 1919, and it was restored in May 1992, continuing the historical functions of the Honor Guard - participation in state protocol visit ceremonies and honor guard duties at the Freedom Monument and Rīga Castle.
