First Veterans Day in Freyung: Honors and thanks for our soldiers!

First Veterans Day in Freyung: Honors and thanks for our soldiers!

On June 15, 2025, the first national Veterans Day took place in Freyung, a significant event that was associated with appreciation and gratitude for active and former soldiers of the Bundeswehr. The town of Freyung in the Freyung-Grafenau district was the setting for this celebratory event, which gave people in the region the opportunity to express their solidarity with the Bundeswehr. The day began at 9 a.m. with the guests arriving in front of the parish church.

The festive service took place at 9:30 a.m. with the musical accompaniment of the Kropfmühl miners' band. A standing concert was then given in front of the Kurhaus at 10:30 a.m., followed by a ceremony that took place in the fully booked Kurhaus. The event was moderated by Helmuth Eberle, and the physical well-being of the guests was also taken care of. The PNP also reports that due to the high temperatures, the stand concert was moved to the Kursaal.

Honors and gratitude

A central element of Veterans Day was honoring deserving members of various associations. In his remarks, Mayor Olaf Heinrich emphasized the importance of Veterans Day and the role of the Bundeswehr in civil society. Deputy District Administrator Helga Weinberger also spoke out in favor of recognizing and valuing the soldiers and emphasized the Bundeswehr as an important part of society. Commander Lieutenant Colonel Dan Tomuzia was instrumental in organizing the event and thanked those involved for their efforts.

The main speaker, Richard Drexl, retired colonel. D. and President of the Bavarian Soldiers' Association, brought up the importance of veterans. Among other things, he called for the reintroduction of compulsory military service to ensure an increase in personnel. Veterans Day was celebrated as a day of reflection, gratitude and responsibility, allowing participants to pause and appreciate the contributions of veterans. The local administration emphasized that this event underlines the long partnership between the Bundeswehr and the district.

A sustainable idea

Dario Vidojkovic from the German War Graves Commission spoke about the important work of his association and honored regional collectors who care about the culture of remembrance during the celebration. The day ended with a call to raise awareness of the needs and merits of veterans among the population. The first Veterans Day in Freyung was not only a celebration, but also a call for gratitude to the soldiers who are committed to peace and freedom.