King Carl XVI Gustaf and Prince Carl Philip of Sweden stepped into their military uniforms to celebrate Veterans Day.
The celebrations were held on Monday, 29 May, at the Royal Djurgården, in the Swedish capital, in the presence of all top officials in the country: not only the King and his son but also the Speaker of the Riksdag (Parliament) Andreas Norlén, the Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, the Minister of Defense Pål Jonsson and the Commander-in-Chief Micael Bydén, who covers a position equivalent of the Chief of General Staff.
King Carl XVI Gustaf laid a wreath at the feet of the Restare Veteran Monument, before awarding medals of merit to several military personnel, including some who have been wounded in combat operations.
The space in front of the Maritime History Museum, where the ceremony took place, was filled with war veterans, all of whom were being celebrated for their participation in international operations, both military and civilian.
The commemoration date is observed in Sweden on what the UN deems the International Day of Peacekeepers, and the Scandinavian monarchy has marked it as a national holiday since 2018.
It is also the same date on which the United States of America observes Memorial Day, during which people and authorities alike celebrate and remember the sacrifices of soldiers fallen in all conflicts.
All of this comes in the midst of renovated conflict in Europe; not only the war that Russia has waged against Ukraine, but also renewed conflict in Kosovo, which just yesterday exploded in violence that resulted in at least 30 NATO soldiers being injured.
Sweden is still in a limbo of waiting for its candidate status in NATO to be officially confirmed, after requesting and being invited to join about a year ago. The process was started with Finland, but, because of concerns from other member countries, Finland got approved, whereas Sweden is still waiting.
It is all the more important, then, to celebrate those members of the Armed Forces who gave their lives to protect the country and its freedom.
