Latvia honors those who tried to save Jews

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Latvia's top government officials and Jewish leaders on Wednesday unveiled a memorial to Latvians who tried to save Jews during World War II. Latvian President Vaira Vike-Freiberga unveiled the memorial, a large white wall tilting on short legs that are inscribed with the names of those who saved Jews. "These people - 269 in all if I am not mistaken - put their lives to risk. This was a special kind of heroism," Vike-Freiberga, whose term as president ends on Saturday, told the 200 people gathered at the ceremony in downtown Riga.