Veterans Day Commemorated at Gärdet

Today, May 29, Veteran's Day is celebrated throughout Sweden. Since 2012, Veteran's Day has held state ceremonial status and from 2018 it is a public flag day. H.M. The King and H.R.H. Prince Carl Philip attend the ceremony in Stockholm and H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria participates in the Veteran's Day ceremony in Gothenburg.

This year's Veteran's Day particularly highlights veterans who served in the Balkans from 1991-2000. The Swedish Armed Forces' Veteran Center and the Armed Forces' Operational Communications Unit have produced a two-part documentary about Sweden's missions in Bosnia during the 1990s, and the press was invited to view the first part at Karlberg Palace last week.

The state ceremony was conducted at the Maritime Museum at Gärdet in Stockholm and was broadcast live via the Swedish Armed Forces' page on YouTube. The live broadcast was covered with Major Stefan Appel from the Life Guards and Per Wallin from the War History Podcast and Afghanistan veteran as commentators.

During the ceremony, wreaths were laid at the Restare memorial by H.M. The King and the Chairman of the Veterans Association Sverker Göransson in the presence of H.R.H. Prince Carl Philip, Speaker of the Parliament Andreas Norlén, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M), and Supreme Commander Micael Bydén.

Veteran's Day has also been commemorated across the country. For instance, in Ronneby, where the Swedish Armed Forces together with the Swedish Veterans Association and Ronneby Municipality invited to a Veteran's Day celebration in Ronneby Brunnspark. Ronneby garrison hosts the Third Helicopter Squadron and the Blekinge Air Wing, F 17.

H.R.H. Crown Princess Victoria participates in the Veteran's Day ceremony at Gustaf Adolf's Square in Gothenburg. During the ceremony, the Crown Princess lays a wreath in memory of the fallen and deceased. The commemoration begins with a parade from Götaplatsen to Gustaf Adolf's Square, where the ceremony is held.