Eternal commitment: Flensburg is celebrating Veterans Day for the first time!

Eternal commitment: Flensburg is celebrating Veterans Day for the first time!

The premiere of National Veterans Day took place on June 15, 2023, a day not only dedicated to active and former soldiers of the Bundeswehr, but also a deep appreciation for their service. The Bundestag officially established this day to give a special framework to the over 10 million women and men who have served since the Bundeswehr was founded in 1955. The fallen soldiers are particularly remembered from the foreign missions that have taken place in over 50 countries since 1959. The first Veterans Day was celebrated with a lot of hype in Berlin, including a ceremony, photo exhibition and various panel discussions. In Flensburg, which was one of the largest deployments of the Bundeswehr until the 1990s, this day was celebrated on a modest scale, but the centerpiece was a memorial stone for relatives who were injured in active service.

The celebrations in Flensburg included not only the unveiling of the memorial stone, but also a field service and the inauguration of a memorial stele. In order to promote community and exchange, the interesting day was rounded off with a barbecue for participants. Such events took place at numerous locations in Germany - over 130 in total - and ensure that the memory and history of the Bundeswehr are not forgotten. The next National Veterans Day is scheduled for 2026, making this occasion an opportunity to further strengthen the connection between veterans and society.

Various events nationwide

Today, Veterans Day, June 15, 2025, there are numerous events on the program in Germany. A combination event with a field service, greetings, networking and music will take place in Augustdorf. In Duisburg the motto “March of Appreciation” takes to the streets. Celebrations and honors for veterans are also planned in countless other cities such as Unna, Lippstadt and Geilenkirchen, which contribute to public appreciation and cohesion in society.

Particular attention is paid to the memorial events in Hesse, where fallen Bundeswehr soldiers from missions abroad have been remembered annually since 2012. These solemn moments, under the responsibility of honorary chairmen such as Colonel retired. D. Jürgen Damm, offer relatives the opportunity to remember their deceased in silent mourning. In Riedstadt-Crumstadt, such a commemoration is carried out without public participation, which underlines the personal touch of these memories.

Social responsibility

Strengthening bridges between active soldiers, veterans and society as a whole is an important task. Commemorative events and celebrations such as Veterans Day help to raise awareness of the values ​​that the Bundeswehr stands for. They offer space for exchange and support, which is more important than ever these days. The upcoming events, such as June 14th in Düsseldorf and the veterans' concert in Schieder-Schwalenberg, are also all about appreciating the heroes mentioned above.

Overall, Veterans Day is not only a celebration of military service, but also a reminder that each individual in this community makes valuable contributions. It is a call to gratitude for all those who have dedicated their lives for peace and freedom.

As the [Förde News](https://www.foerde.news/news/ein-erster-anfang-noch-in-bescheidenheit-bundeswehr- Feiert-1-nationalen-veteranentag-auch-in-flensburg.html) reports, and the Veterans Day website adds, All events contribute to keeping this important cause alive. In addition, the Volksbund Deutsche Kriegsgräbersorge ensures with its commemorative campaigns that the memory of the fallen always has a place in the hearts and consciousness of society.