First Veterans Day: Osnabrück honors Bundeswehr soldiers and their commitment

First Veterans Day: Osnabrück honors Bundeswehr soldiers and their commitment

On June 15, 2025, the time has finally come: Germany will celebrate its first Veterans Day, a new chapter in recognizing the achievements of our former soldiers. This day of remembrance and recognition is celebrated in Osnabrück, which not only honors service for peace and security, but is also intended to strengthen the connection between veterans and society. On this day, Mayor Katharina Pötter will express the great respect for the veterans who have served in the region, be it in the country or in distant missions.

The importance of this day cannot be underestimated. Many of us do not have a personal view of the challenges that former soldiers had to overcome. Veterans Day is an opportunity to close this gap in public awareness. By appreciating the commitment of veterans, a sign of respect, cohesion and remembrance is set, as Hasepost reports.

Recognition and needs of veterans

The German Bundeswehr Association (DBwV) plays a central role in the initiative that launched Veterans Day. For years, the association has called for this event to be repeated annually to bring veterans and society closer together. The plan is to open a veterans office in Berlin in the fall, which will serve as a contact point for former soldiers, as can be read on DBwV. Marcel Bohnert, the deputy chairman of the Bundeswehr Association, sees this project as an essential step towards improving the conditions for veterans and promoting dialogue between them and society.

The event in Osnabrück will help raise awareness of veterans' concerns. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius emphasizes how important Veterans Day is for recognizing those injured in action. The issue becomes all the more pressing because, according to Pistorius, the Bundeswehr urgently needs personnel - up to 60,000 new soldiers could be necessary to achieve NATO's goals.

Shared experiences and social cohesion

A particularly moving example of the commitment of veterans is Robert Müller, a former paratrooper who struggled for professional recognition because of his PTSD. He will march almost 100 kilometers from Hamburg to Berlin to take part in the Veterans Day celebrations - an impressive expression of his commitment and determination. Despite the difficult experiences, there is a positive attitude among the population towards the Bundeswehr: 80% of Germans support it, even if many have no personal contact with soldiers, as highlighted in an article by Tagesschau.

The celebrations in Berlin are also planned as a celebration for the whole family. A welcoming atmosphere is created with sausage stands, children's playgrounds and music to promote interest in soldiers and veterans and strengthen a sense of community. It will be exciting to see how Veterans Day evolves in the years to come.

Veterans Day is not only an important step towards recognition, but also a significant sign of cohesion in our society. It is hoped that this day will not only serve as a once-a-year commemorative event, but will also serve as a platform for ongoing dialogue and support for our veterans.