Meetings with politicians
June 2023
Invitation to the Federal Ministry of Defense
In June 2023, we had a meeting lasting several hours with the PTSD coordinator, Surgeon General Dr. Ahrens.
The occasion was our list of demands, the content of which includes suggestions for improving the care of deployed veterans and their families, including an amendment/expansion of the Deployment Continuation Act, so that former professional soldiers who have voluntarily left the service can begin their medical and/or vocational rehabilitation under the protection and social security of their employer.
September 2023
Personal handover of the list of demands and portfolio from the project "Wife of a Veteran"
Brief discussion with Minister Boris Pistorius; short presentation of our personal concerns in letter form, handover of the list of demands with many case studies of inadequate and insufficient care for deployed veterans and their families, as well as handover of the project portfolio.
December 2023
Interview with Member of Parliament
Merle Spellerberg
An intensive and fruitful conversation with MP Merle Spellerberg, at our home, about the challenges faced by families and relatives of emergency personnel suffering from PTSD.
A very inspiring meeting.
December 2023
Interview with Member of Parliament
Johannes Arlt
Preparatory discussion for the ATEKeV online meeting with relatives of deployed veterans. A dialogue with Johannes Arlt regarding the questions and suggestions of relatives for improved care.
February 2024
Expert discussion between the governing parties and the CDU/CSU: a new policy for veterans in Germany
Intensive exchange with political representatives of the governing parties, the CDU/CSU, veterans' associations, deployed veterans and civilians on the topics of care and support for veterans/families and Veterans Day.
February 2024
1st Veterans Congress #StrongerTogether
Lectures:
- Veterans movement in Germany – an attempt at a
Positioning – German Armed Forces and Society
- Veterans Office: A blueprint for all of Germany"
Workshops on Veterans Day, the Veterans Movement, and Veterans Policy
- Exchange with members of the German Bundestag (Defense Committee)
February 2024
Veterans Office
We exchanged information about our work at ATEK eV and our personal lives. We look forward to continued collaboration!
April 2024
Bundestag vote on national veterans' day
National Veterans Day is coming! June 15th of every year. What a development! Thank you to all our supporters, pioneers, and the Veterans Policy Working Group. For us as an association, in addition to the introduction of this day, it is absolutely crucial that the care, appreciation, and recognition of the families and relatives of traumatized/injured service members are recognized and, above all, improved. Because much more than just a day in June depends on this decision; it will improve support, reduce bureaucracy, and involve and protect families. Career soldiers who have resigned due to despair and illness will also be included in the Disability Compensation Act (EinsWVG) in the future and can return to the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) and begin their recovery with care and security. For me, as the wife of a combat veteran and former career soldier who has been fighting for support and assistance for many years, this is a moving moment in which my husband and I place great hope.
Dear politicians in the German Bundestag, thank you for this decision, but please do not disappoint the veterans and their families/relatives; continue to work together, transcending party interests. Thank you!
Friday, June 14, 2024
From 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Reichstag building
On-site | Parliamentary group level, Platz der Republik 1, 11011 Berlin
Program:
Introduction to the event
Kerstin Vieregge, Member of the Bundestag, CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group
Greeting
Bärbel Bas, President of the German Bundestag
Reading:
Staff Sergeant Johannes Clair
Moderator: Johannes Arlt, Member of the German Bundestag, SPD Parliamentary Group
Moderation
Sara Nanni, Member of the German Bundestag, Alliance 90/The Greens Parliamentary Group
Three veteran perspectives
Corporal (ret.) Max Mansdorff
Sergeant Major Maik Mutschke
Stabsfeldwebel dR Dunja Neukam
Moderation: Lieutenant Colonel iG Marcel Bohnert
Moderation
Christian Sauter, Member of the Bundestag, FDP Parliamentary Group
Closing remarks
Standing reception and buffet
January 2025
Establishment of a "round table"
ATEK eV participated in two important events for the veterans scene in Germany.
Under the leadership of Mr. Küttler, BMVg EBU III 5, and Lieutenant Colonel Krause from the Veterans' Office, the "round table" was established (meetings and exchanges between associations several times a year). The second meeting focused on information and discussion about the central event, Veterans' Day 2025.
A very successful event!
January 2025
Invitation to the Bundestag for the plenary session on the occasion of the adoption of the "Turning Point" Act
January 2025
Invitation to a ceremony commemorating the anniversary of the Veterans Office, followed by a reception. Venue: Representation of the Free State of Saxony to the Federal Government, Berlin.
May 2025
Benefit concert for Danish veterans at Holmenskirche in Copenhagen
With great joy and gratitude, ATEKeV participated in the benefit concert followed by the honoring of two veterans. Invited on behalf of the Military Attaché Staff of the German Embassy, the Danish Veterans Association, the Kiel Naval Band, and the Royal Life Guards Band, we were privileged to be present at this first-class spring evening in Copenhagen.
I am extremely grateful for this invitation, the good conversations and above all for this unforgettable evening.
June 2025 Thank you for the personal invitation and I am extremely pleased to be able to participate.
It is an honor and a pleasure for me.
July 2025
VHS Münster
Closing event/panel discussion
"Serving Germany?" - 70 years of the German Armed Forces: Job or calling
The perception of the profession of "soldier in the German Armed Forces" has changed dramatically in Germany over the past 70 years. This transformation is closely linked to the political, social, and security policy developments of the Federal Republic of Germany. Currently, public opinion regarding the military profession seems to fluctuate between pronounced skepticism and pragmatic acceptance. While the German Armed Forces are now recognized as essential for security policy, societal identification with the military profession remains limited—especially compared to other countries with a strong military culture, such as the USA or France. In this panel discussion, we aim to highlight various perspectives from both within and outside the German Armed Forces.
September 2025
2nd Veterans Congress of the DBwV 2025 under the patronage of Federal President Julia Klöckner
Contents of the congress:
Greetings from
Federal President Julia Klöckner,
Lieutenant General Andre´ Bodemann, (Deputy Commander of the Operational Command of the Bundeswehr and Commander of Territorial Tasks) and
MP Thomas Röwekamp (Chairman of the Defense Committee)
Video greetings from
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg,
Dr. Nicole Schilling, Deputy Inspector General - Surgeon General and the
Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces of the German Bundestag, Henning Otte
Contributions from
Lieutenant Colonel Marcel Bohnert,
Captain Stephan Küttler (Head of Division EBU III 5 at the Federal Ministry of Defence)
Prof. Dr. Sönke Neitzel
Captain Marc Hinzmann (Escape from Chaos - Personal Report on the Evacuation Measure in Afghanistan)
Staff Sergeant Stefan Huss (Tour of Valor - Bicycle Tour of Bravery)
Workshops:
Lessons learned: 1st National Veterans Day
Veterans ID
Update of the concept paper "Filling Veterans Day with Life"
Exchange with members of the German Bundestag (Defense Committee)
Member of Parliament Vivian Tauschwitz (CDU)
MdB Claudia Moll (SPD)
MP Robin Wagener (Alliance 90/The Greens)
Thank you very much for the invitation to the 2nd Veterans Congress.
