Defence Forces national parade gathers 5,000 spectators in Helsinki

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On Monday, the Finnish Defence Forces celebrated their Flag Day in Helsinki, for the first time in ten years. Around 1,800 soldiers and some 30 military vehicles took part in the march-past at the Senate Square, with as many as 5,000 people following the event. The national parade was addressed by President Tarja Halonen.
     
The Flag Day parade is arranged in the capital city every ten years, coinciding with when the republic celebrates the decennial anniversary of its independence. In the current year Finland is celebrating the 90th anniversary of independence in 1917.
      Yesterday was also the birthday of Marshal C.G.E. Mannerheim (1867-1951), with 140 years since his birth. Mannerheim was Finland’s wartime commander and subsequently the country’s sixth president, holding the office from 1944 to 1946.
     
In her speech President Halonen stressed the significance of general conscription, saying that it has proved to be a factor that brings the nation together. She noted further that general conscription remains the cornerstone of Finland’s military defence.
      Admiral Juhani Kaskeala, the Commander of the Finnish Defence Forces, who was accompanying President Halonen, describes Finnish military parades on the website of the Defence Forces as ”plain and ascetic, and hopefully for that reason also impressive”.
     
When the Finnish Air Force guard of honour was being reviewed at the Senate Square, eight F/A-18 Hornets and eight Hawk jet trainers flew over the troops in a tight diamond formation, some 300 metres above them.
      Tanks, personnel carriers, and other military vehicles were the last to drive through the Senate Square.


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