Hamburg, June 15 – The second national Veteran’s Day was celebrated in Hamburg on Sunday, June 14, with a ceremony on Rathausmarkt. While the event aimed to bring the Bundeswehr closer to the public, it attracted only a few hundred attendees and was met with some protests.
Bundeswehr Seeks Public Engagement in City Center
Hamburg’s Second Mayor, Katharina Fegebank (Greens), emphasized the significance of holding the event in the city center. “In the midst of life, in the middle of the city, right where the Bundeswehr belongs: namely, in the center of our city,” she stated, opening the festivities. Bundeswehr press spokesperson Jürgen Bredtmann highlighted the goal of the day: “We in uniform, there’s a person in every one of us. And engaging in conversation with us is the easiest way to make that clear.” The event aimed to integrate the Bundeswehr more deeply into society.
Mixed Feelings and Protests Mark the Day
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the event was not without its critics. A smaller protest rally against Veteran’s Day took place on Jungfernstieg, with some counter-demonstrators carrying peace flags. Some attendees also expressed mixed feelings; one mother shared her anxieties when her son was deployed abroad.
Mayor Tschentscher Emphasizes Bundeswehr’s Importance
During a Senate reception, Mayor Peter Tschentscher (SPD) underscored the Bundeswehr’s vital role for Hamburg. He quoted his predecessor from the 1960s, Herbert Weichmann, stating that peace policy requires not only strong arguments but also the power to secure them. Tschentscher noted that this idea of a policy of strength is gaining renewed importance “in a world where autocrats and potentates are on the rise, who operate at the level of earlier centuries in their way of thinking.” He thanked the Bundeswehr for its 70 years of service to Hamburg, citing their assistance during the storm surge disaster and the pandemic.
Bundeswehr Stresses Preparedness Amidst Global Conflicts
Brigadier General David Markus from the Ministry of Defense, speaking at the Senate reception, stressed the Bundeswehr’s view on the necessity of preparing for potential emergencies. “For 1,571 days, the war in Ukraine has made it clear to us how serious Putin is and how destructive and inhumane he wages war,” he remarked.
Defense Minister Attends Military Parade and Promotions
On Veteran’s Day, a military parade took place on Rathausmarkt, attended by the Defense Minister. During the ceremony, 400 soldiers were promoted. The decision to hold a promotion parade on Rathausmarkt on Veteran’s Day was a subject of debate in the Bürgerschaft (Hamburg Parliament) on Wednesday, with discussions revolving around whether it was “war-mongering” or “naive.”
Traffic Chaos and Other Local News
In other local news, a closure of the A7 motorway caused significant traffic chaos in southern Hamburg over the weekend due to construction work. Additionally, more children are being placed in foster families in Hamburg, though the family welfare office continues to face challenges in finding enough suitable homes. The traditional MOGO (Motorcycle Gottesdienst) in Hamburg’s Michel saw the biker community advocating for more respect. Hamburg is also planning a new mega-bridge project, costing 5.3 billion Euros, which will involve further road closures and detours.
Source: NDR.de
