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SUOMEN POJAT

SUOMEN POJAT. Estonian veterans cared for by Lions in Finland. The beginning. 3400 Estonian volunteers joined the Finnish armed forces in 1943-44 a regiment, JR 200, was formed, fighting in crucial battles in the summer 1944 with over 400 casualties and injuries

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SUOMEN POJAT

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  1. SUOMEN POJAT Estonian veterans cared for by Lions in Finland

  2. The beginning • 3400 Estonian volunteers joined the Finnish armed forces in 1943-44 • a regiment, JR 200, was formed, fighting in crucial battles in the summer 1944 with over 400 casualties and injuries • moved back to Estonia to defend their own country late in 1944.

  3. at the end of the war the remaining Suomen Pojat were captured as POW’s in Estonia • nearly all were sent to Siberia for 15-25 years. Many lost their health in the process. • during the Soviet era these veterans fell outside all social networks in their own country. • they were almost forgotten in Finland, too!

  4. Paying the debt • 1989 The first post-war reunion of Suomen Pojat. 88 veterans (of ~700 living) attending in Tarto, Estonia. Awareness of the tragedy was raised among lions in Finland, especially in districts 107 F and D.

  5. 1991 Foundation of Suomen Pojat-guild • A nationwide fundraising was organized, paying for 1-2 weeks of rehabilitation in Finland for some of the veterans. • A memorial of JR 200 was revealed in Luumäki 18.8.91. Nearly all remaining Suomen Pojat-veterans from all over the world attended, altogether over 550 men. Function and travels sponsored by Finnish lions.

  6. most veterans were abroad and in focus of any attention for the first time since the war! • the Finnish public was made aware of the contribution from Suomen Pojat! • the valued Finnish ”Oakleaf”-insignia for veterans of war was granted to ”Suomen Pojat”

  7. Lions activities since 1991 • altogether over 100 Finnish lions clubs have participated during these 10 years. • over 50 lionsclubs have their ”protegé”-veteran, eventually taking care of widow. • over 100 lions families have frequent direct personal contacts to the veterans. • appr. 1500 rehabilitation weeks in Finnish rehabilitation centers have been sponsored by Finnish lions.

  8. not only the veterans, but their families are cared for. • widows are cared for and invited to functions • Suomen Pojat are now members of the Finnish Veterans organizations, as individuals and as an association.

  9. Next steps • 10 years anniversary of JR 200 memorial on 18.8.2001 with appr. 300 veterans. attending, function, accomodation and travel expenses sponsored by Finnish lions. • extension of care to widows and deceased veterans’ families. • ensuring that all veterans are cared for.

  10. Our Commitment The Finnish lions have committed themselves to these men and their families, providing rehabilitation services, care and friendship for the remainder of their lifetime.

  11. The purpose of this presentation is to show • that projects related decades back still exist • that Lions projects like this enhance under- standing and friendship between people • that we want to commit ourselves to this project by reporting of it to the European Lions’ community.

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