Hamburg celebrates veteran day for the first time - recognition for our soldiers!

Hamburg celebrates veteran day for the first time - recognition for our soldiers!

Rathausmarkt, 20095 Hamburg, Deutschland - On June 15, 2025, the first veteran day in Germany will be celebrated in Hamburg, an important initiative to recognize the achievements of active and former soldiers. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) will visit the city on this historical day and emphasizes the need to increase appreciation for around ten million veterans in Germany. In the Hanseatic city, a military appeal is organized on the town hall market, in which 420 soldiers from the Helmut Schmidt University are also promoted to lieutenants and lieuteners.

Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) invites Veteranes to a reception in the town hall. This event is an opportunity to appreciate the often overlooked contribution of these people to the security and freedom of our country. Annika Schröder, an experienced veteran, expresses the hope that the veteran day creates a stronger awareness of the interests of soldiers, not only in society, but also within the Bundeswehr itself.

a first step towards improvement

During the celebrations, a maneuver with around 500 soldiers and civilians will also take place, which demonstrates the troops from the port of Hamburg to the east. Nevertheless, the event is not without controversy: three smaller demonstrations, including from the left, are registered in the city center of Hamburg. Critics see a missed thoughts for the urgently needed reforms in the Bundeswehr, which has to deal with massive personnel problems. Defense Minister Pistorius demands an increase in troop strength by up to 60,000 soldiers to achieve NATO targets.

"Many people have no personal points of contact with soldiers," emphasizes Pistorius. Although according to surveys, 80 % of Germans have a positive attitude to the Bundeswehr, it is important to build bridges between society and the helpers in uniform. Robert Müller, a former paratrooper who runs almost 100 kilometers from Hamburg to Berlin to take part in the celebrations, is an example of the reality with which many veterans are confronted. After his missions abroad, he suffered from symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTBS) and fought for twelve years to recognize his illness, which he contracted during an Afghanistan.

The challenge of the PTBS

The psychological stress of the soldiers can be devastating. Around 3 % of the Bundeswehr soldiers suffer from PTSD after missions, and around 200 new cases are added annually. This disease, which is triggered by traumatic experiences, can lead to serious symptoms such as sleep disorders, flashbacks and emotional dullness. According to a survey, 62.1 % of German mental illnesses measure great importance, but the number of unreported cases of PTBS diseases remains high, since symptoms often occur delayed.

In order to meet these challenges, the Bundeswehr has established an offer of help for soldiers and former relatives with mental suffering. In addition, the User User User Act was launched to support the integration of soldiers in society. General doctor Dr. Jörg Ahrens emphasizes the need to develop a culture of looking at the taboo of mental illnesses.

In order to increase visibility and appreciation for injured and sick soldiers, events such as Invictus Games will take place in Germany in the future, initiated by Prince Harry. This sporting event is under the motto "A Home for Respect" and sets itself the goal of increasing the recognition for the brave men and women who fight for our freedom.