First National Veteran Day: Pistorius: Bundeswehr belongs in the middle of society

For the first time, the Federal Republic has recognized the merits of its active and former soldiers with a national veteran day: with festive events, Bundeswehr appeals, military demonstrations and in some municipalities, also special benefits for veterans.

Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described the members of the Bundeswehr as the central component of society and guarantees for peace and security in Germany and Europe. “Your place is in the middle of society,” he said at a promotion appeal in Hamburg. The members of the Bundeswehr belonged there: “visible, present and supported by society”. Together with Hamburg’s mayor Peter Tschenscher, Pistorius (both SPD) took part in the ceremony at the town hall market, in which around 400 soldiers from the University of the Bundeswehr were promoted to officers.

Bundestag President: High time for Veteran Day

For the President of the Bundestag Julia Klöckner, the veteran day organized for the first time is overdue. “Because this day creates something that has actually been missing for a long time: public visibility, recognition, respect for everyone who served in the armed forces of our country,” said the patron of the central event at the Reichstag building. She also mentioned the members of soldiers.

The defense minister emphasized the changes in the security situation. The coming years would “challenge, politically, socially and militarily,” said Pistorius. The European life model of freedom, democracy and prosperity in peace is at risk. To ensure peace, security and stability, “we need operational armed forces.”

The Bundestag laid June 15 as a veteran day last year. In the future, the day is to be celebrated a year on the weekend before or after this date.

As a veteran or veteran, every soldier and soldier – active and earlier are valid in Germany, provided that they have been honestly excreted. Around ten million Germans did military service or were professional or time soldiers. About 500,000 men and women were abroad, such as in Afghanistan, Mali or Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Demonstration of opponents of military

In Hamburg, several left -wing groups took the street against the Bundeswehr’s solemn appeal. Among other things, the left faction in the citizens called. According to police, a total of 205 people took part in three rallies. According to the information, everyone was peaceful.

Elsewhere protested military opponents with falsified posters in the Bundeswehr design against the Veteran Day.