The twentieth jubilee gathering of veterans of the 20th Estonian SS Division and their admirers was held in a small place Sinimäe, near the border with Russia.Recently, when I’m in the old town of Tallinn, I often catch myself being pursued by the seditious thought: the sea, stones, medieval spiers, seagulls on the tiled roofs … Each of these images could well become the Estonian brand. But no; on the last Saturday of July, the Estonians traditionally, for some reason, hold the gathering of the veterans of the 20th Estonian SS division. And we, the reporters, cursing everything have to go to the North-East, to a place called Sinimäe. One would not skip going, also considering that this gathering was the anniversary celebration, and its members each time please the public with such pearls that one would have to hunt for the entire year.

There was a small diplomatic skirmish before the rally: the Russian Foreign Ministry has once again expressed its indignation, the Estonian replied that it was insulting to suspect Estonians of sympathizing with the Nazis. But however, did not take any other action that would have changed the brown part of the Estonian image.Pitiful remnants of veterans and their vastly superior numbers of fans have gathered at the same place and at the same hour at the site of the bloodiest battles with the Red Army in the summer of 1944,. Compared with the previous rallies, this one held rather modestly – we, the veterans of the “SS science” remember the times when the event’s participants were greeted with the Prime Minister’s words, were guarded by police and were welcomed by the public orchestra. After a controversial transfer of the Bronze Soldier monument in 2007, all events related to the glorification of Nazism came to attention of anti-fascists, and the splendor of the Sinimäe rally has waned.

This year, the anti-fascists had decided to change tactics: they did not dress in robes and did not stand in a picket with placards, but tried talking like human beings with the people who come here. The plan failed: head of the Vaivara municipality, in which the gathering took place, immediately declared the absence of the picket as his great victory.
Representatives of the international movement of “World Without Nazism” were not allowed at the event. Therefore, we, the journalists, who are still allowed to attend the rally will have to regrettably continue writing for a long time not about the sea and seagulls, but about the Estonian SS, because otherwise the world will not know about what is openly being said in the 21st century in a country that is part of the European Union, NATO

It is all Russia’s fault

So, what did he speakers at a rally of SS veterans please us with at this time? With their deep knowledge of history. World War II was called only referred to as “anti-Bolshevik.” They identified the credit of the Estonian SS in that “they contained the front for eight months, so that 7 percent of Estonians were able to escape to the West, and then have fought against Soviet occupation for 50 years.” “Representatives of many nations have fought in the German uniforms – and no one claims impose” – resentfully complained aloud one of the speakers. And he listed the “crimes” of the Soviet regime: Khatyn, Stalingrad, the bombing of Tallinn in March of 1944 … That’s right, separated by commas. Tallinn City Council deputy, Tarmo Kruuzimyae, was also unhappy: last year rally’s promise to give title of “fighters for Estonia’s freedom” to the veterans of the 20th SS division was fulfilled. But, at what cost?! The chief ideologist and writer of the current version of Estonian history, in which black was white and white was black, the defense minister, Mart Laar, paid for it with his own health: the status of “fighters” was approved on February 14, 2012, and on the 20th he suffered a stroke.

The speech of the Johannes Laidoner Museum’s founder, Trivime Velliste, was devoted exclusively to Russia and the Russian Embassy. “We keep our defense up for years in the Russian psychological war against us. Their goal is to force the feelings of guilt upon the Estonians “- he frightened the masses with a tragic voice. But Russia, for some reason, does not blame Finland that also fought on the German side! – he casually blurted about the neighbor country. It is strange that he does not know why it happens. One would have to explain to him that Finland does not treat losers as heroes, does not gather them at rallies and does not perform their national anthem in their honor. “We must and we will repeat our truth” – Velliste zombied the audience, “and not only to our eastern neighbor. Our allies are even more important. Therefore, we have to release worldwide a new film “Sinimäe” by the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Estonia. And to show it in Europe and America. We have five years left to do it.”

So, we need to order tickets for the “Oscar” ceremony in advance….

Estonian Legionnaire is an example for all children

Calling for allies did not take long – they were already there. Unexpectedly, two new flags, of Sweden and Denmark, were among the short line of national flags of those who came to visit. But their holders did not send any speakers. The Letts “worked out” for everybody.

“Please welcome our guests from dear Latvia! – declared the presenter. – Remember the names of two of its best sons, Oskars Krigers and Gundars Kalve.” The first one was positive, as a young Oktyabrenok who has just been accepted into the ranks of Young Pioneers. “Thank you for protecting us all from Bolshevism!” – he shouted joyously into a microphone. “Latvia and Estonia have fought against one enemy. We must unite, and this is a true force. Dear Estonian Legionnaires. You are an example of what the real men should be like! “.The second one was speaking metaphorically: “Our enemy did not disappear. It sits as a Trojan horse in every town and village, and declares its demands. Let’s say to Russians: we are ready to fight! The Estonian Legion are an example to us!” Some blonde lady wearing earrings in the form of the Teutonic cross and a large silver swastika on her chest was translating their speeches. A bag with the logo of the Luftwaffe completed her look.

I want to believe that the names of guests from Latvia and a picture of the translator, which we are happy to present here, will help the Estonian Security Police in the next year to make the correct list of persons who will be denied entry to Estonia. But this time, by some stupidity, the Finnish anti-fascist Krohni Petrie was sent away by the Estonian border customs. His crime consists of the fact that a couple of years ago he came to take pictures at the SS rally, but the Latvians openly inciting ethnic hatred were not touched.

Actually, these people add more credibility to suspect Estonia in sympathizing with the Nazis. Veterans themselves were almost unnoticeable on the Grenadier field of Sinimäe even if they were physically present at the rally: one such veteran was given the microphone but he forgot where he was, and for about five minutes tried to figure out a way back to his chair.

There is a faint hope that in a few years this theme will disappear with the last living SS, unless, of course, its friends, such as these young Latvians, will not be helping keep it alive.
Therefore, in the appeal by a foreign Estonian, a delegate from Australia, thrown with humor to the masses: “Estonia, hold on as long as you can”, one wishes to hear another meaning and, therefore, join in.

stopnazism.net