Veterans, relatives of fallen legionnaires, and representatives from seven organisations that have joined forces to establish a new association for the memory of Latvian soldiers, "Lestene", gathered for a ceremony in Lestene.

“This is where it happened; these were the front lines. Near Džūkste, brother fought against brother. A huge tragedy. In large numbers, they were illegally conscripted into the war. It was horrific what happened here,” noted Aivars Sinka, Chairman of the Board of the "Lestene" association.

The mission of the soldiers' memorial association will be to oversee the maintenance of the Lestene Brothers' Cemetery complex and assist in the restoration of the unique Lestene Church. It will collect donations for this purpose.