First national veteran day: celebrations start in Altenstadt!

First national veteran day: celebrations start in Altenstadt!

Great event in Bavaria: On June 15, 2025, the first national veteran day will be celebrated, a day of honor for around ten million veterans in Germany. This initiative was decided by the Bundestag in 2024 and aims to give the active and former soldiers of the Bundeswehr the recognition that they earn reports Deutschlandfunk . The big ceremony takes place in Altenstadt, where the preparations are in full swing.

Thomas Schmidt, Colonel A.D. and chairman of the Altenstadt soldier and veteran association, is enthusiastic about the introduction of this holiday and emphasizes how important it is that veterans are given the visibility and appreciation in society that they are entitled to. "For many, the service to our country is not just a job, but a calling," says Schmidt. Guests from the politics and representatives of the German Bundeswehr Association are invited to the celebrations in Altenstadt notes the Merkur an .

ceremony and entertainment in Altenstadt

The celebrations start with the invasion of the flags at Marienplatz. In addition to Schmidt, Josef Rauch from the DBWV and district councilor Alexandra Bertl will also be present Mercury . The day is rounded off with a morning pint in the courtyard of the "Schalander" brewery, where the musical entertainment is not neglected.

It is particularly noticeable that the Veteran and Reservist Association in Weilheim ensures the number of members and a possible resolution is in the room. Despite these challenges, they actively support the national veteran day. In contrast, the veterans from Antdorf are skeptical because they can make up a small number of veterans in the region.

events across the country

Altenstadt is not the only city that commits this day of honor. Over 100 events are planned all over Germany. In Augustdorf there will be a large combination association with field service, greeting and musical accompaniment reports the official website for veteransag . On the same day, further celebrations take place in various cities such as Duisburg, Bad Westernkotten and Geilenkirchen, in which veterans are welcomed and space is offered for encounters and conversations.

The National Veteran Day is scheduled to take place every year on June 15th. This date was chosen because the veteran badge was awarded for the first time in 2019. The day is not intended as a legal holiday, but should create a family-friendly atmosphere and bring the society the services of the soldiers closer states Deutschlandfunk Fest with .

With this festival day, a first step towards more appreciation and visibility is made for the brave men and women who, regardless of the challenges they had to deal with, contributed to the good of society. It remains to be hoped that this day will not only remain a unique event, but also develop into an inseparable tradition.