Freedom Cross
So, the Freedom Cross was opened, and already the onions are rambling over it. Main issues are the proximity of it to the site where the Bronze Soldier was, and the sword-holding hand and big E motive on the cross, saying that it symbolizes Estonian Waffen SS as it had same shoulder patch.
Actually that symbol (E denoting Estonia and being protected by hand with a sword) is older than that, it was used on the Order of the Freedom Cross (author Nikolai Triik, was established 24th February, 1919).
The Order came in three classes (each in 3 levels), first for special military service, second for personal valour and third for civilian service and were mostly given to people who participated in the War of Freedom. The Order was accompanied with a reward, in many cases with a real estate (land) and soldiers were offered a free education (a big deal back then).
So it was pretty special Order and it does make sense actually, that the symbol (E and hand with sword) was chosen to be a chevron for the Estonian Waffen SS, as the mostly believed to be fighting for the Estonia and against the Red Army animals (let's put it this way, what the Red Army had to do in here, when it was here from 17.06.1940 to summer/autumn of 1941, that the 700 years of mostly German occupation and forced slavery, which was very much hated, were put aside and germans pretty much welcomed as liberators?), rather than some crazy nazi ideology.
The cross symbolizes the fight for freedom, where in the war it took winning both, Red Army and Landeswehr, to get our own country the way we liked it. So it is logical that the onions are barking over it, but as can be said - if they bark, it's done right, whatever it is. Or "only that dog howls who has it's tail stepped on".
I included the pictures of the new Freedom Cross statue and the designs of old Order of Freedom Cross (classes are from left to right - military service, personal valour, civilian service).
Actually that symbol (E denoting Estonia and being protected by hand with a sword) is older than that, it was used on the Order of the Freedom Cross (author Nikolai Triik, was established 24th February, 1919).
The Order came in three classes (each in 3 levels), first for special military service, second for personal valour and third for civilian service and were mostly given to people who participated in the War of Freedom. The Order was accompanied with a reward, in many cases with a real estate (land) and soldiers were offered a free education (a big deal back then).
So it was pretty special Order and it does make sense actually, that the symbol (E and hand with sword) was chosen to be a chevron for the Estonian Waffen SS, as the mostly believed to be fighting for the Estonia and against the Red Army animals (let's put it this way, what the Red Army had to do in here, when it was here from 17.06.1940 to summer/autumn of 1941, that the 700 years of mostly German occupation and forced slavery, which was very much hated, were put aside and germans pretty much welcomed as liberators?), rather than some crazy nazi ideology.
The cross symbolizes the fight for freedom, where in the war it took winning both, Red Army and Landeswehr, to get our own country the way we liked it. So it is logical that the onions are barking over it, but as can be said - if they bark, it's done right, whatever it is. Or "only that dog howls who has it's tail stepped on".
I included the pictures of the new Freedom Cross statue and the designs of old Order of Freedom Cross (classes are from left to right - military service, personal valour, civilian service).
posted by Reimo S at
8:08 AM
1 Comments:
Your comments are right on. I was there when the momement was opened and founf it very inspiring. A talked to many who went to see it daily and all were pleased. One elderly gentleman who was a WW2 vet as a border guard placed flowers on the memorial. An elderly woman who lived all her life in Tallinn said it was about time that this memorial to the War of Independence was erected.
By
John (Jaan) Soosaar, at 20 August, 2009 17:12
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