In 1991, I returned from service in the Russian army and began farming here near Krustpils. I joined the National Guard. For the local people of Jēkabpils, the cannon issue was, at that time, even greater than it was for me initially.

I knew such a cannon existed, but in the early 90s, there were plenty of other negatives around – banditry, racketeering. At that point, the cannon felt like it was tenth or twentieth on my list of priorities. But at some stage, the matter stuck to me firmly enough. Once life settled down, we started moving the cannon issue forward as well.

The first to take a very firm stand on its removal was the association “Jēkabpils mantojums”, along with the Jēkabpils Latvian Society and the “Daugavas Pārupieši” association. At least for the circle of people I communicated with, this cannon was like a thorn in the side.