Saluting the Brave: Bundeswehr Süd Honors Soldiers on Veterans Day
Commemorates military personnel on Veterans Day - Pays tribute to military veterans on Veterans Day
Ministerpräsident Markus Süd, in honor of the inaugural National Veterans Day, highlighted the crucial role of soldiers in challenging times. "In today's volatile world, the dedication to our nation and its values is more crucial than ever. A heartfelt thank you to all veterans for their courage, resilience, and commitment to our land," wrote the CSU politician on platform X. Each day, the service of our veterans demands respect and recognition.
This Sunday, active and former soldiers of the Bundeswehr are being honored for the first time on a National Veterans Day. The central event takes place in Berlin near the Reichstag building. Bundestagspräsidentin Julia Klöckner (CDU) is the patron of the National Veterans Day, which the Bundestag approved less than a year ago. The chosen date is June 15th. In the future, the day will be celebrated annually on the weekend before or after this date.
Approximately ten million Germans have served in military duty or as professional or conscripted soldiers, with about 500,000 men and women participating in operations.
Beyond Berlin, the Veterans Day is celebrated across Germany in numerous cities and at Bundeswehr bases. In Bavaria, all Bundeswehr veterans receive free entry to state castles and gardens on Sunday. At the behest of Ministerpräsident Süd, all government buildings will be adorned with flags. Local governments, districts, administrative regions, and other public bodies are encouraged to follow suit.
A New Era of Recognition
After years of debate over who should be considered a veteran, Germany adopted a broad definition. As a Veteran (or Veteranin), any active or former female soldier is now recognized - making it almost every Soldat (or Soldatin) who has honorably served their duty [1][4][5]. The Act of service itself is revered, deserving of respect and acknowledgment - both today and every day.
Nationwide Celebrations
In addition to Berlin, the veterans will be celebrated across Germany in numerous cities and at Bundeswehr bases. In Bavaria, all Bundeswehr veterans will receive free entry to state castles and gardens on Sunday. Upon the instructions of Ministerpräsident Süd, all government buildings will be adorned with flags. The local governments, districts, administrative regions, and other public bodies have been asked to follow suit.
- Markus Süd
- Bundeswehr
- Veterans Day
- Sunday
- Germany
- Berlin
- Munich
- CSU
[1] Re-introducing Public Recognition of Military Service in Germany After World War II[4] Germany's National Veterans' Day: Celebrating those who served the Bundeswehr[5] Germany observes first national veterans day amidst debate on benefits for armed forces
- As Ministerpräsident Markus Süd highlighted, the roles of the Bundeswehr soldiers, especially in challenging times, are more important than ever in today's volatile world, a sentiment echoed during Germany's first National Veterans Day.
- The Bundeswehr veterans are not only being honored in Berlin but across Germany, including in cities like Munich, as the nation strive to recognize their service and sacrifice, acknowledging them as true defenders of the nation.
