What to Make of Germany’s New Veterans Day
Even avid observers of German affairs likely missed the first-ever celebration of its armed forces past and present on June 15, 2024. Last year’s preliminary event — falling during the month-long European football championship taking place in Germany — symbolized Berlin’s sluggish Zeitenwende. Now, amidst evolved trans-Atlantic circumstances and a new government, the national Veterans Day is back for real.Two key challenges arise: Can the initiative propel a genuine cultural shift in the world’s quintessential post-heroic society? And does raising the profile of veterans help generate the kind of public awareness of defense matters that the country needs to back The post What to Make of Germany’s New Veterans Day appeared first on War on the Rocks.
Even avid observers of German affairs likely missed the first-ever celebration of its armed forces past and present on June 15, 2024. Last year’s preliminary event — falling during the month-long European football championship taking place in Germany — symbolized Berlin’s sluggish Zeitenwende. Now, amidst evolved trans-Atlantic circumstances and a new government, the national Veterans Day is back for real.Two key challenges arise: Can the initiative propel a genuine cultural shift in the world’s quintessential post-heroic society? And does raising the profile of veterans help generate the kind of public awareness of defense matters that the country needs to back
The post What to Make of Germany’s New Veterans Day appeared first on War on the Rocks.
