Sign of recognition
Bundestag votes for annual Veterans Day – this is what it should look like
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius gives the thumbs up for the veterans’ performance
© Kay Nietfeld / DPA
The German Bundestag has called for more appreciation for active and former soldiers. In the future, the recognition will be implemented in mid-June – on National Veterans Day.
The Bundestag has voted for the introduction of a national Veterans Day on June 15th each year. On Thursday, a large majority of MPs voted in favor of a corresponding motion that was submitted jointly by the three traffic light parties and the opposition Union. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius described Veterans Day as a strong, important and long-overdue sign of appreciation. “It’s about recognizing those who are ultimately prepared to give their utmost for others and who dedicate their life and limb for our country,” said the SPD politician in the plenary session.
Veterans Day is intended to send a visible signal of appreciation and attention and at the same time strengthen efforts to provide social care. “A national day for veterans can create an appropriate framework for recognition and thanks for their special achievements as well as a place for exchange between them, their relatives, the Bundeswehr, society and politics,” the application said.
Recognition for millions of veterans
There have been discussions in recent years about the question of who should be considered a veteran, because soldiers after deployments abroad or even taking part in combat have different needs than those who served in the military during the Cold War era.
The plan is to organize a large event in Berlin on the weekend before or after June 15th. A veteran of the Bundeswehr is anyone who is in active service as a soldier in the Bundeswehr or who has honorably left this service. Around ten million Germans did military service or were professional or temporary soldiers, and around 500,000 men and women were deployed.