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The 12th Blue Hepatica campaign “Let’s Salute!” begins on April 1st

For 12 years now, April has traditionally been Veterans’ Month in Estonia, with the motto: “Let’s Salute!”. The aim of the Blue Hepatica campaign is to recognise and support veterans of the Defence Forces and the Defence League who have defended freedom and democracy in different parts of the world together with Estonia’s allies. The proceeds collected from the sale of Blue Hepatica products and the organisation of charitable sports events are used to create a mental health support system for veterans in the reserve.

“Veterans’ Month and wearing the Blue Hepatica is an important spring tradition with which we value the contribution of veterans to the defence of Estonia. Estonian Defence Forces members have participated in military operations for 30 years, including some of the most difficult regions in the world. Caring begins with noticing, and Veterans’ Month gives everyone the opportunity to show that we care about those who have stood for our freedom in the world,” said Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, inviting everyone to wear the Blue Hepatica pin.

There are over 3,000 veterans in Estonia who have participated in various international military and peacekeeping operations around the world. The Blue Hepatica campaign draws attention to the contribution of servicemen who have participated in foreign operations to the protection of freedom and democracy. In recognition and support of veterans, the Blue Hepatica campaign calls on all compatriots to acquire and wear the Blue Hepatica pin and to participate in charitable sports events held during the campaign.

“Veterans are important to our country, because their real combat experience and knowledge provide an invaluable addition to the defence capability. It is our duty to notice, recognise and support them,” said Enn Adoson, Chairman of the Board of the Estonian Association of Injured Fighters, which is organising the Veterans Month campaign.

The opening event of Veterans Month is the Blue Hepatica Run, which will take place on April 1st in the immediate vicinity of the Stroomi beach in Tallinn. Sports events will take place throughout Veterans Month in various regions of Estonia. For more information and registration, visit www.annameau.ee.

The Blue Hepatica Campaign will run from April 1 to April 30, and during this period, you can purchase Blue Hepatica products and make a donation at the following points of sale: Coop, Selver, R-Kiosk, Apollo, Matkasport and Karupoeg Puhh stores, relvad.ee online store and MyFitness sports clubs. Naiskodukaitse volunteers will also help collect donations throughout Estonia by selling products with Blue Hepatica symbols and through dozens of campaign events. Additional information about them can be found on the Naiskodukaitse website and on social media.

The Blue Hepatica Campaign is carried out by the NGO Estonian Association of Injured Fighters in cooperation with Naiskodukaitse. The Estonian Defence Forces, the Ministry of Defence, the Estonian National Defence Forces Disc Golf Club, the Estonian National Defence Forces, NGO Rakvere Maraton, Hea Hoog, Havas, Coop, Selver, R-kiosk, Apollo, MyFitness, Karupoeg Puhh, Matkasport, relvad.ee, Milworks, Ortopro, Go Craft, Huum, Defrem, Semetron, Maru Grupp, Threod Systems, BAE Systems, Nordic Armoury, the Estonian Volleyball Association, the Estonian Football Association, Autospirit, Swedbank, Montonio, Miniload, Stebby, Websystems, Sportos, Kultuurkapital, the city of Tallinn and the Jõhvi municipality.