Military defense is under scrutiny. - Red-Greens plan to celebrate the establishment of the Bundeswehr in Hamburg.
The SPD and Greens in the Senate are suggesting a celebration in honor of the Deutscher Bundestag's founding day on November 12th, held in Hamburg. They've jointly proposed a motion to endorse the Bundeswehr's regional command's plans for this observance. Additionally, they're recommending the city of Hamburg commemorate the first ever Nationwide Veterans' Day, scheduled for June 15th of the following year.
"We want to honor the accomplishments and service of the Bundeswehr veterans on this day," said SPD faction leader Dirk Kienscherf on Tuesday. "In Hamburg, we stand in support of this celebration, but we'd rather not wait until 2025."
"The Bundeswehr's critical role goes beyond simply defending the state," Kienscherf continued. "Hamburg residents have recognized this importance since the 1962 flood, where the military saved countless lives. With its evolving role as part of NATO's eastern defenses, the Bundeswehr is more important than ever for our security, our democratic and free country." The soldiers and military personnel deserve to be recognized for their contributions.
The Green interior expert, Sina Imhof, emphasized the city's close association with the Bundeswehr, with the presence of the Helmut Schmidt University of the Bundeswehr, a Bundeswehr hospital, and the Bundeswehr Leadership Academy in Hamburg. "Along with the planned Veterans' Day, this provides us with ample reason to actively support these celebrations and draw more attention to the vital work of the Bundeswehr as a parliamentary army," said Imhof.
The Senate is expected to address the red-green motion within the upcoming two weeks. While an AfD motion is slated for discussion on Wednesday, it too requests Senate assistance in planning Veterans' Day festivities with the Bundeswehr's regional command. The AfD has proposed using the Rathausmarkt as a suitable location for the celebration. The red-green competition could potentially result in rejection of the AfD motion, as have the previous ones.
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The motion to celebrate the Deutscher Bundestag's foundation day and the first Veterans' Day is being supported by the SPD and Greens, who acknowledge the Bundeswehr's critical role in defense and disaster relief, such as during the 1962 Hamburg flood. The SPD leader, Dirk Kienscherf, expressed his appreciation for the Bundeswehr veterans and their service, urging the celebration to occur sooner than 2025. The Senate is considering both the red-green and AfD motions for Veterans' Day festivities, with the Rathausmarkt suggested as a potential location by the AfD. The Helmut Schmidt University, Bundeswehr hospital, and Bundeswehr Leadership Academy in Hamburg further highlight the city's connection to the Bundeswehr.
