Following opening remarks by Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende, Master Sergeant Bernd Kemper will speak about his reasons for enlisting in the military on a voluntary, temporary basis, as well as his motivation as a called-up reservist. He also provides insights into his deployment in Bosnia as part of the AWACS mission, as well as the transformation of the Bundeswehr and its development within NATO. Dr. Peter M. Quadflieg, Director of the City Archives, delivers a lecture titled “The Bundeswehr: Alliance Army, Parliamentary Army, Citizens’ Army” on the Bundeswehr’s culture of remembrance. In doing so, he examines forms of commemoration and honoring of soldiers as well as historical references, including the Bendlerblock. Artists from the Wiesbaden Music Academy will provide musical accompaniment for the evening.

“As a garrison city and home to important military facilities, Wiesbaden is home to numerous active-duty soldiers, reservists, and veterans. That is why it is important to us as a city to visibly commemorate Veterans Day. In doing so, we must not forget that service in the armed forces is associated with particular stresses and risks. Some veterans carry the visible or invisible consequences of their service with them for the rest of their lives. Others have not returned to their families. Our silent and respectful remembrance goes out to them,” says Mende.

This year, for the second time, Germany is celebrating National Veterans Day around June 15. This day is based on a resolution by the German Bundestag and is organized by the federal government. It honors the service of all former and active Bundeswehr soldiers—and strengthens the bond between them and society.