No Tears: Estonians Respond To Lithuanians Who Weep For Mandatory Military Service

In response to: 14 Powerful Portraits of Men Expressing Their Feelings Against Mandatory Military Service in Lithuania

Dear Lithuanian Friends,

Your 14 powerful portraits of men expressing their feelings towards conscription service proved to be really powerful, but perhaps not in a way you envisioned.

We are both small, freedom-loving nations living in a dangerous neighborhood. It is only our determination, our love of freedom and our way of life, for our home and the dear ones that can uphold the peace and the freedom for us and our children. To this end, it is essential to be ready and determined to defend our freedom.

The Estonian Defense League is a voluntary military organization consisting of people like me and you, of people who have chosen to spend part of their time on serving their country. We learn and train to then shed our uniforms and continue our lives as teachers, drivers, lawyers, architects, etc. We believe the best response to the powers feeding on fear and aggression is to be prepared, and then go on with our lives.

We have taken these 16 portraits to support you and say: you do not have to be a gun nut, you do not need to prove your manliness, an assault rifle or a grenade launcher does not have to give you boners. You just have to love freedom!

Lauri and Kaupo, on behalf of our friends, the citizens of Estonia, and members of the Defense League.

More info: kaupokikkas.com

Kaupo, IT project manager

Kaarin, services developer

Paap, restaurant entrepreneur

Marianne, student

Lauri, PR specialist

Vladimir, engineer

Mihkel, student

Marcello, designer

Marko, logistics manager

Raivo, technical manager

Indrek, webmaster

Viktor, student

Martin, IT manager

Olle, barman

Marko, member of parliament

Indrek, architect

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