Memorial plaque to General J. Balodis Memorial site

In July 1919, the headquarters of the Kurzeme Division moved to Pļaviņa. Soon, the headquarters of the entire Eastern Front was established in Pļaviņa and its leadership was entrusted to Colonel Jānis Balodis. J. Balodis was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Latvian National Army on October 16, 1919.

On June 17, 1934, a memorial plaque was unveiled with great festivities and a parade. The plaque reads: "In this house in 1919, the headquarters of the Eastern Front was located, and here General Jānis Balodis assumed the supreme command of the Latvian National Army." General K. Berķis and the Prime Minister's Deputy M. Skujinieks participated in the unveiling of the memorial plaque, saying: "I unveil this plaque as a blessing to our people, and I hand it over to the public for safekeeping and protection." Before that, the mayor of Pļaviņa, P. Lacītis, gave a short speech. The plaque was consecrated by the pastor of the Koknese and Pļaviņa congregations, Rozenbergs, speaking in lovely, heartfelt words about the duty of citizens to the state. The Holy Scriptures say: If God is with us, who can be against us. – There were many enemies at the cradle of the new Latvia, but God was with us, God was with the righteous cause of Latvia and raised it in the sun. Now Latvia has been restored, it needs a new spirit. We do not need to ask – what does Latvia give us, but – what can I give you, the dear land of our fathers? On this memorial plaque we have written the name of a man who, with God's help, did great things. May we all have a common goal: With God for the new Latvia!

At that time, the newspaper "Latvijas kareivis" (19.07.1934. No. 133) wrote about the great event:

"A beautiful, sunny Sunday morning fills the small town. National flags flutter on all the houses, a festive feeling is everywhere. Even the rustling of the Daugava on the mighty rocky banks, like solemn music, joins the festive mood. Pļaviņas celebrates a great holiday - the 15th anniversary of its liberation and honors the commander-in-chief of our army and current Minister of War, General J. Balodi, by unveiling a memorial plaque at the house where the great leader of our army and his headquarters lived."