U.S. soldiers dare Putin just 300 yards from Russian border

A sign of growing tension in Europe, and possibly a warning to Russia occurred in the Baltic nation of Estonia, as it marked its independence day with a military parade that prominently featured troops and equipment from NATO forces - including U.S. troops - that are stationed there.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - About 100 soldiers from Britain, the Netherlands, Latvia, Lithuania, Spain and America joined with 1,300 Estonian soldiers during a march through a city less than 300 yards from Russia.

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This move is clearly a show of support for nations formerly under Russia's influence, who worry that their close ties to NATO, Europe and the West will see Russian intrusion similar to what happened in Ukraine, and especially the Crimean region, in 2014.

"History has taught us that if we do not defend ourselves, nobody else will," said General Riho Teras, the Chief of Staff of the Estonian military.

"The events in Ukraine that have kept the entire world awake, demonstrate very clearly that we ourselves must maintain security," he added.

Armored personnel carriers bearing U.S. flags from the U.S. Army's Second Cavalry Regiment were a major part of the parade in Narva, a city which juts out into Russia. They were joined by several Dutch CV90 tanks.

Many locals in Narva are ethnic Russians, and this may be a show of defiance to Russian President Putin, who has continually made noises about Russia's duty to protect ethnic Russians.

Prior to this show of force, Michael Fallon, the British Defense Secretary said last week that there is a "real and present danger" to the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

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Another move that underscores just how wary Russia's neighbors are came from Lithuania, which on February 24 reported that it would begin limited conscription in response to continued Russian military exercises near NATO member states.

These three Baltic nations were annexed by the Soviet Union in World War II, but regained independence in 1991. Since then they joined NATO and have close economic ties to the European Union and the United States, something which angers Russia.

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