Raimonds Graube (born on February 28, 1957, in Riga) is a Latvian general, the Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces (1999–2003, 2010–2017).
Raimonds Graube began his military service in 1991 in the Staff Battalion of the National Guard. In June 1998, he was appointed Commander of the National Guard; from January 1999 to 2003, he served as the Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF). Before his reappointment as the NAF Commander in 2010, he held positions at the Ministry of Defence and served as the Military Representative of the NAF to NATO/EU. In 2012, Graube was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.
On October 25, 2016, it was announced that Graube had submitted a request to retire from his position before the end of his term (2018). He explained his resignation by stating that "the time had come to pass on the role to the next commander." He is the longest-serving NAF Commander in this position (a total of 10.5 years) and the only one who came from the National Guard.
State Foundation for Defence and Patriotism "Namejs"
The "NAMEJS" Foundation was established by Raimonds Graube in 2017, after his resignation as the Commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces. The foundation was created with the goal of supporting and promoting Latvian traditions and culture, as well as strengthening national identity and patriotism. Specifically, the "NAMEJS" Foundation supports projects related to military training, national security, and the preservation of Latvia's historical heritage and cultural traditions.
The foundation's name is inspired by a legendary figure from Latvian mythology — Prince Namejs, who symbolizes strength and courage. This reflects the foundation's goals of fostering national pride and patriotism among the youth and society as a whole.
The main objective of the foundation is to support programs that promote spiritual and cultural connections with Latvia's history, as well as to assist veterans and actively participate in the patriotic education of citizens.
Mil-Coffee.com are supporting the veterans of the Latvian Army!
Mil-Coffee donates a portion of its annual revenue to the State Defense and Patriotism Foundation "Namejs" to support the needs of Latvian Army veterans.
We do this because we believe it's crucial in today's world to stand by our people and our veterans, who have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation. Supporting them is not just a duty, but a commitment to honor their sacrifices. By aiding veterans, we contribute to the strength and resilience of our society, ensuring that their legacy of courage and service continues to inspire future generations.
Additionally, don't miss the latest episode of Army Veterans S01 E04, where Raimonds Graube discusses the importance of the National Defense and Patriotism Foundation "Namejs". The interview is available now on our YouTube channel.
You can also support the foundation with your donations:
Receiver: Valsts aizsardzības un patriotisma fonds NAMEJS
reg. no. 40008240249
Adress: Krustbaznīcas street 9, Riga, Latvia, LV-1006
Bank for donate: LV45HABA0551040447334
