stillers4me
11-11-2013, 04:32 PM
There hasn’t been a war on Finnish soil since 1945 when occupying German forces were expelled from Finland’s Lapland province in a skirmish semi-related to World War II.
In the 68 years since, Finland has enjoyed a mostly peaceful existence with relatively little in the way of involvement in any military conflict. Despite that, every able-bodied male in Finland is obligated to serve one of three branches of that country’s military, the Maavoimat (army), Merivoimat (navy) or Ilmavoimat (air force).
Professional athletes such as Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (right) are not exempt from serving.
“I’ve got to arrange some time for it for sure,” said Maatta. “It’s something I have to do. I’m not the first [athlete] who has done it.”..........
.......Maatta, who has friends who were part of NATO’s security forces in Afghanistan, sees the benefits of serving.
“It’s something that everybody has to do. I don’t think it’s like here [in the United States] because we don’t really get paid for it. I think of it as growing towards an adult. It teaches you a little bit about life. That’s how I feel it is important.”
Read more @ http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sports/2013-06-20-18-51-15/empty-netters/39725-maatta-must-fullfill-military-obligation-to-finland-11-11-13?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Salute! :drink:
In the 68 years since, Finland has enjoyed a mostly peaceful existence with relatively little in the way of involvement in any military conflict. Despite that, every able-bodied male in Finland is obligated to serve one of three branches of that country’s military, the Maavoimat (army), Merivoimat (navy) or Ilmavoimat (air force).
Professional athletes such as Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (right) are not exempt from serving.
“I’ve got to arrange some time for it for sure,” said Maatta. “It’s something I have to do. I’m not the first [athlete] who has done it.”..........
.......Maatta, who has friends who were part of NATO’s security forces in Afghanistan, sees the benefits of serving.
“It’s something that everybody has to do. I don’t think it’s like here [in the United States] because we don’t really get paid for it. I think of it as growing towards an adult. It teaches you a little bit about life. That’s how I feel it is important.”
Read more @ http://blogs.post-gazette.com/sports/2013-06-20-18-51-15/empty-netters/39725-maatta-must-fullfill-military-obligation-to-finland-11-11-13?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed
Salute! :drink: