ULDIS KURZEMNIEKS AT THE RIGA JURMALA
Daugavas Vanagi, No. 34 (74), p.4
It is now the second week since the chocolate factory “Laima”, that has undertaken the function of godfather (custodian) to the regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel L. Lobe, has accommodated this regiment’s 10 year old foster-son, Uldis Kurzemnieks, at their beautiful holiday house at Jurmala.
We have already been able read about his deeds and misdeeds at the Front in earlier editions of “Daugavas Vanagi” when this lively rosy-cheeked lad had not yet seen his new homeland. In order to greet it, Uldis Kurzemnieks began to learn Latvian. And a wonder occurred. In less than a year, he was able to freely speak Latvian, write and read, and he was able to sing the melody of the popular soldiers’ song “Paliec sveiks, mans mazais draugs” (Farewell my little friend) without a mistake. Thus prepared, Uldis Kurzemnieks arrived in Latvia where living in Dzintari and making full use of the sunny summer days he has enjoyed the beautiful banks of the river Lielupe and the sea. When autumn begins, his school days will continue - for which the Director of “Laima”, J. Dzenis, has pledged his help.
If the summer holidaymakers around Dzintari see an energetic boy dressed in the uniform of the Latvian legion and with a silver stripe on the sleeve of his jacket, there is no doubt – that’s Uldis Kurzemnieks. He proudly wears his army uniform and always behaves in the manner required by military discipline. Similarly, his well-polished boots show that he is not careless about his appearance.
When asked about the merits for which he has received the service level of Private First Class, Uldis does not get embarrassed and clearly replies: “For diligence”. The answer is short and assured, with only the slightest hint of a foreign accent. It turns out that Uldis Kurzemnieks was promoted because he was a resourceful, talented lad and very quickly learnt to speak Latvian. Uldis wants to be a courageous Private First Class just like Vilibalds Drosmins. Even now he is not scarce of friends at the Front or in Riga. He recently received a letter from the Front, written by the regiment’s Commander. For a long time Uldis carried the letter around, worrying about how to answer it and what to write. Finally, he took a piece of paper and wrote: “Greetings, old friend”… Just as well that at the very last moment, Uldis showed his letter to his teacher and asked whether he could write this. The teacher could only cry out: “Oh dear, Uldis! You can’t call the Commander of the regiment your good old friend! Let’s write this…”
Uldis Kurzemnieks is proud of his new homeland. The recent past when he was wandering around Russia in tatters - without a mother, without a father, without relatives, now seems like a bad dream. His memories are very painful and he does not like to talk about them. When he was still small, his mother left him at a kindergarten in Minsk. He has not seen her since. In 1941, the Minsk kindergarten handed him over to the S. village as a shepherd.
The Commander of the battalion called the boy Uldis Kurzemnieks because at that stage they knew only his name – Stasiks. Then they decided on a birth-date - 18 November 1933. At first Uldis Kurzemnieks’ education was entrusted to the battalion’s headquarters platoon, but later, when the battalion became a part of the Legion, Uldis Kurzemnieks served as an aid to the Dundaga company and became their beloved foster-son.
A.O.