First veteran day in Hamburg: appreciation for our soldiers!
First veteran day in Hamburg: appreciation for our soldiers!
Hamburg, Deutschland - in Hamburg there is a very special event: On Sunday, June 14, 2025, the National Veteran Day will be celebrated for the first time. This significant date is accompanied by Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), who comes to the Hanseatic city for an official reception. His goal is to show the necessary appreciation to the approximately ten million veterans in Germany- active and former soldiers, time and professional soldiers. The veteran day is intended to set a symbolic sign of the recognition of these former soldiers and also promote the dialogue between society and the military. It is time to taboo the conversations on missions abroad, as Stephan's non -commissioned officer emphasizes. The veteran day could help to consolidate the change in the perception of veterans and to increase interest in society
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On Sunday there will be a military appeal at 1 p.m. on the town hall market, in which around 420 soldiers from the Helmut Schmidt University are promoted to Lieutenants and Lieutenants. Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) then invites veterans to a reception in the town hall. "We want to appreciate the performance and courage of the soldiers and show them that they have an important place in society," explains Pistorius. However, this day should not only be dedicated to the veteran - despite the festive occasions, there are also critical voices. Three smaller demonstrations, including from the left, were registered in the city center of Hamburg, since some activists believe that the day is distracted by necessary social and psychological aids that need veterans.
a sign of appreciation
Like many other veterans, Annika Schröder hopes that this day will bring more visibility and recognition to the veterans. Despite these positive signs, there is some skepticism. Robert, a veteran, expresses that many of them are calling for more specific help from politics and the military authorities. "It is not enough to celebrate just one day. We need real support," he warns and reports on the challenges of receiving health consequences of his commitment.
The Bundestag has decided that a veteran day should take place annually from 2025. Only the left voted against this proposal. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Krause, who heads the veteran office in Berlin, has the task of supporting former soldiers in their bureaucratic Oddysee. Over 100 events are planned in Germany around the veteran day, with the largest in Berlin. These are worn by the federal government and many local organizations to offer veterans and their families a platform for encounter, exchange and appreciation. It remains to be seen how the implementation and the offer will be specific.
a comprehensive program
In addition to reception in the town hall, a large maneuver with around 500 soldiers and civilians will also take place in Hamburg, in which troops are practiced from the port of Hamburg to the east. The Baudissin barracks and the Reich President-Ebert-barracks are to be used militarily for at least another 100 years. This shows that the Bundeswehr remains present and at the same time endeavors to focus more on the interests of the veterans. There are other events throughout Germany that are taken as an opportunity: in Augustdorf, Düsseldorf, Lippstadt and many other cities. The events range from honors to panel discussions that aim to promote dialogue about the experiences and needs of veterans. veteranentag.de provides a comprehensive overview of all appointments and events. Whether it will ultimately become more than just symbol policy depends not only on the party mood on this occasion, but above all on the further measures and support for the veterans.The veteran day on June 14th in Hamburg is the first step in the right direction - a festival of recognition that could also offer space for critical discussions and necessary changes. The hope remains that both the existing appreciation and these discussions continue to grow in society.
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| Ort | Hamburg, Deutschland |
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