Happy Independence Day Finland!

[Dowly]

Last and the year before that, I posted the vids with Finladia hymn etc. You all seen that, so I'm just going to say:

Our independency goes to the the 1910s, but what we are remembered is the Winter War in 1939-1940 vs. the Soviets and Continuation War in 1941-1944. That's when Finland's independency and freedom were in great danger. Thank you to our vastly outnumbered yet brave soldiers, we got to keep our freedom.

Thank you veterans and thank you to those who still remain in the battlefields. You will never be forgotten.

Happy I-D FINLAND!

[subchaser12]

Good job kicking the Soviet's asses. :up:

[Rockstar]

I will light two candles and place them in my window. Happy Indepenence Day to Finland and my friend Dowly!

[UnderseaLcpl]

Happy Independence Day and a salute to the fallen Finns!

[Onkel Neal]

Salute!:up:

[SandyCaesar]

Salute to Finland: Happy Independence Day, land of Dowly!:rock:

[August]

I should care but i'm a self absorbed American! :D

No seriously, Happy "Birthday" Finland and I sincerely wish you many, many, more!

[nikimcbee]

So other than drink, how do you guys celebrate?


...and what happened to the ferret?

[PeriscopeDepth]

Salute!

I've always found Finland's 20th century military history to be really cool!

PD

[Hylander_1314]

Salute to Finland, and the people of Finland! May your Independence be long lived!

[nikimcbee]

just for dowly...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGjfnt4gw5A&feature=related

[Dowly]

So other than drink, how do you guys celebrate?

Umm... I did do beer popsticles one time, that I think would be eating beer, right? :hmm:

Ow yeh and lots of war docs on telly usually, then the stupid party thingy at the presidents palace, the first 3 hours is just ppl coming in and shaking hands with the president, soo fockign boring. I only watch the beginning as the veterans and Mannerheim Cross holders are the first one's to enter.

just for dowly...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGjfnt4gw5A&feature=related

Awwwwwwww, Russian women are so darn hot... and wild. :p

[Contact]

Salute Dowly! Let this day be important to you and soul lifting :up:

[AVGWarhawk]

Salute!

[Happy Times]

Happy Independence Day Dowly! :)

The usual rutines here also, went to raise the flag with my father in the morning. Then to congratulate my grandparents, both veterans of last wars and members of Suojeluskunta and Lotta organisations.
Took a candle to my great grandfathers and uncles graves, both brothers fought in the 1918 war of Independence. Great uncle gave his life for the emerging nation of Finland.

The parade is in Turku, some Navy vessels are docked there also, its on TV2.

[Oberon]

Salute, here's to 92 years of sisu :up:

[OneToughHerring]

Yey, us. One tradition is to show one version of the war film Unknown Soldier on tv. I prefer the new version. The book is ok too.

Old film version. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Soldier_%281955_film%29)
New film version. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Unknown_Soldier_%281985_film%29)

I recommend both to people interested in getting a slightly biased version of the Continuation War between Finns and Soviets.

[nikimcbee]

Salute, here's to 92 years of sisu :up:

i forgot about the sisu part.

[MothBalls]

Happy Independence Day.

Interesting to see the different traditions. I wonder what other countries do?

In the US we typically use it as an excuse to plan a 4 day weekend. During that time we barbecue unhealthy slabs of dead flesh and consume it along with vast quantities of alcohol. Then when the sun goes down we blow chit up and fire guns into the air.

[Dowly]

Righto, the original version of The Unknown Soldier's playing on telly, what a great movie it is. Didnt really find any good clips of it on YouTube, but here's an user made trailer for the new version, made in the 80's. If you can get your hands to either the old or the new, I'd suggest you check it out. Finnish war movies have always have the "Steven Spielberg" touch to them, no heroes, no romantic crap and no one's bullet proof.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3C8-wdZeCI

EDIT; Oh, forgot to add that the original version has lots of real footage mixed to the film from the continuation war. There's some rare stuff you dont see in the internet, only in the movie. Like Fw190 flyby's etc.

[Sailor Steve]

WooHoo, another reason to celebrate!:()1: