In 2024, the German Bundestag decided to hold a National Veterans Day annually from 2025 as a day of remembrance. The Constitutional and European Affairs Committee of the German County Association has strongly advocated for its introduction and called on all counties to participate in its implementation. The symbol for Veterans Day is a yellow ribbon, representing solidarity with and simultaneously expressing gratitude to all former and active soldiers of the Bundeswehr for peacekeeping and crisis assistance. In Bexbach, Homburg, and St. Ingbert, the yellow ribbon is already displayed in the town halls as a visible sign of solidarity. Around June 15th, the 2nd National Veterans Day is organized nationwide. The central event takes place on June 21st at the Reichstag building in Berlin. In Saarland, the day of remembrance is also observed on June 21st – within the framework of a ceremony in the state parliament with the Saarland Reservists' Band and a speech by the Minister-President. The presentation of the yellow ribbon by the Saarland state group of the Reservists Association of the German Bundeswehr to the President of the Parliament is planned.
For an exchange at the district administration regarding civil-military cooperation and support in disaster control and crisis prevention, District Administrator Frank John met with Colonel Michael G. Kopp, the new commander of the Saarland State Command, and Dr. Ingo Gerber, Lieutenant Colonel of the Reserve and head of the District Liaison Command. The appointment was used to jointly set a visible sign of recognition for veterans with Helen Ayer Patton, founder of the Patton Foundation and granddaughter of General S. Patton, by flying the veterans' flag at the district service building.
„I am very pleased when events like today's here in the Saarpfalz district commemorate the veterans of the country in a special way and thus also publicly express the population's connection to us soldiers,“ emphasizes Colonel Kopp.
In the USA, Veterans Day is observed as a public holiday on November 11th and dates back to the end of World War I. ‘Thank you for your service‘ holds a special emotional significance for Americans as a way to thank veterans for their service. “My sons have both American and German citizenship and ancestors who served as war veterans – on both the American and German sides. Every time we have visited the war cemeteries in Normandy, we also went to the German cemetery. The German soldiers knew the terrible situation they were in.” Through her foundation, Helen Patton advocates for a culture of remembrance and peace promotion. She supports meetings of veterans and their families as well as projects with young people.
“Veterans Day reminds us that this service deserves respect, recognition, and visibility – not just today, but every day of the year,” said MdB Esra Limbacher, Vice President of the Reservists’ Association of the Bundeswehr.
“The current motto ‘Armament for Defense Capability’ is viewed differently in society and politics. It is not about waging wars. Exercises such as the civil-military major exercise ‘SAAREX 2026’, which was organized here at the Altstadter Zollbahnhof, serve to prepare for extraordinary emergencies. For example, the Bundeswehr supported disaster control authorities during floods or forest fires and assisted the health department during the Corona pandemic. With the Yellow Ribbon, we also express our appreciation,” emphasizes District Administrator John as head of the Lower Disaster Control Authority.
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Photos: Beate Ruffing
Caption: Raising the veterans' flag: from left to right Dr. Ingo Gerber, District Administrator Frank John, Colonel Michael G. Kopp, Helen Ayer Patton
Caption: The veterans' flag can be seen at the district administration.
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