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The Finnish Border Guard celebrates its 107th anniversary on 21 March 2026

Publication date 20.3.2026 8.59
Type:News item
The Finnish Border Guard's Cross of Merit, Medal of Merit and Plaques of Merit.

The Finnish Border Guard celebrates its anniversary with dignity while working. Promoted and rewarded colleagues are celebrated in anniversary celebrations arranged for the personnel.

Promotions and rewarding of personnel

The President of the Republic has promoted 36 Finnish Border Guard officials. Furthermore, 25 Finnish Border Guard officials were promoted in the reserve. 

Commander Jani Järäinen is promoted to Captain at the Finnish Border Guard on 21 March 2026.

The Border Guard of the Year 2025 is First Lieutenant Sami Lappi

Currently, First Lieutenant Sami Lappi serves at Lapland Border Guard District. First Lieutenant Lappi is an active and competent employee, who is well-liked and respected both as a specialist and as a superior.  

Crosses, medals and plaques of merit and central government medals of merit

The Minister of the Interior has awarded Finnish Border Guard personnel with the Cross of Merit of the Finnish Border Guard (6pcs) and with the Medal of Merit of the Finnish Border Guard (66pcs). The Chief of the Finnish Border Guard has awarded the Finnish Border Guard personnel with Plaque of Merit of The Finnish Border Guard (3pcs). Furthermore, the President of the Republic has awarded 77 Finnish Border Guard officials with Central Government Medal of Merit for Public Officials.

In addition to Finnish Border Guard personnel, the following representatives of our partners have been awarded

As an acknowledgement of distinguished work for the benefit of the Finnish Border Guard, the Minister of the Interior has awarded the following persons with the Cross of Merit of the Finnish Border Guard on 21 March 2026:

  • Development Manager Artsi Alanne 
  • Ambassador Piritta Asunmaa
  • Director General Egert Belitšev
  • Director Alexander Fritsch
  • Director of Result Area Vesa Halonen
  • Senior Vice President Henri Hansson
  • Municipal Manager Erno Heikkinen
  • City Manager Tomas Häyry
  • Rescue Chief Peter Johansson
  • Permanent State Under-Secretary Satu Keskinen
  • Hallitusneuvos (Finnish honorary title) Kari Klemm
  • Chief Executive Officer Kari Kosonen
  • Deputy Police Chief Seppo Kujala
  • Brigadier General Ari Laaksonen 
  • Lieutenant General Jari Mikkonen
  • Director of Legal Affairs Juha Rainne
  • Permanent Secretary Olli-Pekka Rantala
  • City Manager Tuomo Sallinen
  • Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara
  • Director of Maritime Transport Sanna Sonninen
  • Rear Admiral Tuomas Tiilikainen
  • Deputy Director Jonna Turunen
  • Ambassador Teemu Turunen
  • Major General Jarmo Vähätiitto

As an acknowledgement of distinguished work for the benefit of the Finnish Border Guard, the Minister of the Interior has awarded the following persons with the Medal of Merit of the Finnish Border Guard on 21 March 2026:

  • Chief Inspector Juha Hietala
  • Deputy Head of Division Niklas Karlman 
  • Detective Sergeant Seppo Kemppainen 
  • Chief of Security Pekka Nevalainen 
  • Chief of Emergency Medical Services Tomi Nieminen 
  • Physician Marko Pohjanpaju 
  • Production Manager Petri Saarinen
  • Chief Information Officer Ari Takkinen
  • Instructor in charge Olli Vesivalo

The Chief of the Finnish Border Guard has awarded the following external individuals, units and organisations with the Finnish Border Guard’s bronze plaque of merit for distinguished work for the benefit of the Finnish Border Guard on 21 March 2026:

  • Chief of Security and Emergency Management in social and healthcare Mikko Aaltonen
  • Lieutenant, Senior Grade, Kaarlo Bang
  • Finavia Oyj, Helsinki Airport Operations Centre
  • Captain Lasse Lahikainen
  • Head Guard Roger Lanndér
  • North Karelia Regional Office
  • Chief Inspector Hannu Rönkkö
  • Detective Inspector Kimmo Tuulenkari
  • Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Pasi Tyystjärvi
Finnish Border Guard Raja - uutinen