SUOMEN POJAT

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 POWs 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.