German soldiers march in front of the Reichstag building to honor those who served in Afghanistan. 20 years Bundeswehr in the Hindu Kush. 20 years that have shaped Germany.

German soldiers march in front of the Reichstag building to honor those who served in Afghanistan. 20 years Bundeswehr in the Hindu Kush. 20 years that have shaped Germany. from germany

43 comments

  7. As much as I do understand all the people being pissed off by this show of military tradition in front of our parliament – I‘m not much of a military admirer myself – I do understand that members of an organization that has gone through traumatic situations need traditions and public acknowledgment to re-assure themselves of their roles and their place in society. Our politicians made lots of not so smart decisions regarding the Afghanistan war, but the soldiers fighting the war weren‘t asked for their opinion on this, so it would be unjust to blame them for the absolute shitshow the Bundeswehr mission to Afghanistan was; but lots of soldiers lost their lives, and many more were traumatized. If we despise them now that they‘re back with us in their own country, we‘d repeat mistakes the US made after the Vietnam war with their forces.

    Don‘t blame the soldiers. They were doing what they had to do and what they job is. Let them have their cathartic ceremony. It‘s important in setting a full stop after their mission.

    Blame the incompetent, bigot and indecisive politicians.

  8. Germany you did your job well.
    Condolences to all Parents in Germany, Europe, who lost a Child in Afghanistan.
    Thank u for serving.

  9. The truth is that most Germans did not care about Afghanistan and kept their eyes and ears shut as much as possible and opened them only when news of big fuck-ups made the headlines.

    I think it´s good and important to honor the service of our soldiers, in particular since it seems that their effort and dedication was in vain. And because that, Germany must by all means carefully assess what can be reasonably achieved before onboarding another military operation in the future, and better don´t do it at all.

    The military parade shown above, the “Großer Zapfenstreich”, is the highest form of public military tribute done in Germany and happens multiple times year.

  11. 20 years of death and destruction and nothing of worth was accomplished. Afghanistan is back in the hands of the Taliban and their grip is even firmer then before the invasion. Countless civilians and soldiers died in this war for nothing, oh not for nothing, for the profit of the arms industry because that industry is the only benefactor of that war.

    It is a shame that we went there but it is even a bigger shame that we left it a worse mess than before. We left a lot of good people behind who are now prosecuted by the Taliban because they helped us, why did we leave them there? Because they did work for a subcontractor and not for the Bundeswehr directly, the Taliban won’t care about that. But hey at least we managed to fly a twenty ton boulder to Germany…

  12. The only thing that shaped Germany in this 20 years was Angela Merkel.
    For the war no one cared, except the people who had been deployed or had relatives deployed.
    The only discussions came up with refugees.
    But Afghanistan? Too far away! Consequences for the military? Yes, slight budget increase. Consequences or thinking about how the war ended and how we failed? No, yes, but not now, maybe, with the new government. The result will be nothing.
    Poor soldiers who risked and lost their lives there for nothing.

  14. And the best thing to do they could think of is marching with flaming torches in front of the Reichstag? Really?

    Don’t get me wrong, I don’t object to recognising the soldiers’ efforts, but surely there would have been better, less historically loaded and more practical and useful ways of accomplishing that?

  15. I find it a shame to blame the soldiers. They are a parliamentary army which got send by our politicians in a questionably foreign war where german soldiers died. I think it is rather unlikely that they wanted to go to Afghanistan. If anyone want to be angry then be at the politicians. Even now they could have blamed the politicians but every general was very diplomatic and shows respect to the parliament even tho they got no respect back.

  17. As a German, I’m not used to any kind of military parades. I only know these happening in Germany from footage of the 30s and 40s. It feels weird, honestly, especially because they each have a torch.. *chills*

  18. Rip to the fallen.

    Kind of shitty the taliban took over so fast/easy. Makes you wonder about who receved the german training there.

  19. Honoring fallen comrades is an important tradition. I like the display, it is with little pomp and still feels solemn.

  20. As an expat living in berlin I think this is super cool and had a known it was happening I would have absolutely come and paid my respects, not because I supported the war but because it’s important to honer another’s sacrifice on your behalf. Another reason is that without respect and support for others who believe they’re acting on ‘your’ behalf we can swiftly alienate our military’s something that gradually becomes a far ranging problem across a country’s geopolitical landscape and affects issues the general populace has more vested interests in, as happened in my country 🇺🇸
    Respect not capitulation.

  21. I don’t know why so many people find this weird, like, have you guys never heard of Schützenfest? Marching to this kind of music in fancy uniforms and feather head pieces is a cherished and very old Tradition, we decorate the streets and have a good time watching the Parade. Is this not a thing In all of germany?

  22. I was barely 19 years old when I got sent there the first time…

    It changed my life.

    Ruhet in Frieden meine Kameraden, die ihr nicht das Glück hattet, aufrecht wieder nach Hause zu kommen.

    Und auch alles Gute denjenigen, die es mit körperlichen und seelischen Narben noch geschafft haben.

  24. To everyone feeling uneasy with the imagery: It happens quite often (20-30x a year), just doesn’t get reported on. The only times some media showcases it is when some politician gets seen off. Though there is a difference between a Großer Zapfenstreich (shown here, rarer) and a regular Zapfenstreich (20-30x a year)

  25. Is Reichstag the correct modern day term? I had a German friend who took exception to it, just looking for clarification!

  26. Everyone on the Internet: “Why are Germans so unpatriotic?”
    Germany does something patriotic once: “…sHoUlD wE BE wORrIEd?”

  32. I live here since 22 years and have never seen a military parade in Berlin. Kinda cool ngl

  33. How exactly have 20 years in Afghanistan “shaped Germany” ? I dont see an impact other than a massive waste of resources

  35. ROBERT-MARTIN-NILS
    GLÜCK AB !

    And to all the left nogoods trying to smear the honoring of those who paid the highest price by pinning a century old tradition on the nazis: grow a pair you armchair keyboard warriors and stfu.
    Even if you disagree with mandates and politics you should honor and respect those who willingly chose to be the sword and the shield of our nation.
    They were good men,good comrades and they fought valiantly while being outnumbered and surrounded.

    Also many thanks and mad respect to the US MedEvac personnell that flew in and out under the heaviest of fire- u guys rock!

  42. I’m against the Military. But the Soldiers were drawn into a dumb War, watched their friends die and now ppl complain about them getting closure and some recognition for their suffering? Thats just harsh, man

Leave a Reply