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Name: Marcel Bohnert

Occupation: Lieutenant Colonel in the General Staff Service and Deputy Chairman of the German Armed Forces Association

Book: "Deutschlands Veteranen - (Über)leben nach dem Einsatz"

Projects: Social Media campaign #WirGegenExtremismus

Mr Bohnert, what did the games mean to you?

For me, it was the biggest event for returnees and wounded soldiers since the Bundeswehr was founded.

In what capacity were you in Düsseldorf?

I am a representative of the Bundeswehr Association, the largest organisation representing the interests of servicemen and women. The association has more than 200,000 members, which is more than there are soldiers in the Bundeswehr. We were an institutional partner and sponsor of the Games. We are something like a trade union and have been dealing with the concerns of the wounded and bereaved for years. I am also the co-editor of a book in which we take a literary look at the general conditions for veterans and the fates of athletes. The book is called "Germany's Veterans" and was published just in time for the Games in September 2023.

Can you describe your impressions?

It was a Games with a unique atmosphere. The best experience for me was watching the wheelchair rugby right at the beginning. I was surrounded by a wildly celebrating crowd - wounded people with their families, young and old, fans, politicians and Prince Harry. They were all cheering on the teams together.

Why do you think Düsseldorf was chosen as the venue?

I understand that the local politicians were very receptive to the organisers. The location of the metropolis on the Rhine is also extremely favourable: the Merkur Spiel-Arena has very good connections to the city - I often jogged from the arena along the Rhine to the old town and back over the bridges on summer evenings.

The games were also celebrated as a festival of international understanding. How do you see that?

Despite the serious topic - war, injury and trauma - we experienced a great celebration of international understanding. What's more, 500 athletes from 20 nations took part. Everyone who was there will have experienced the games in a similar way. Not only soldiers, the wounded and their families, but also many interested members of the public were on site. School classes were there for political education. It was a colourful mix. I believe that the Invictus Games have helped to break down prejudices against soldiers and that we still have a lot of work to do in the coming years. Russia's attack on Ukraine means that different times are ahead of us. People in this country now also understand the purpose of the armed forces.

"The Bundeswehr provided assistance during the Covid phase and also provided assistance during flood disasters."

How did you like the motto "A Home For Respect“?

In Germany, the relationship between the military and society is still characterised by scepticism due to the dark days of National Socialism. We now have a momentum in which we can rebalance this relationship: The Bundeswehr provided aid during the Covid phase and also during flood disasters. The war in Ukraine is raging on Europe's eastern flank. Uniformed soldiers are travelling by train at the weekends. As a result, the Bundeswehr is in the public eye more than ever before. The Invictus Games have helped to change our image in society for the better. Now there is Invictus Germany and there is the idea of setting up an Invictus Games Foundation. In addition, the German veterans' movement has taken a big step forward with the Games - there is the idea of a nationwide veterans' day and the first German veterans' congress will take place in a few days' time. 

Were you satisfied with the national coverage of the Games?

Unfortunately, the mainstream media didn't give it the coverage I would have liked. Overall, it was more of a marginal topic in the third programmes and the tabloid media focused on the presence of patron Prince Harry. Of course, this attracted additional attention. But I would have been very pleased if the fates of the wounded and traumatised veterans had been in the spotlight even more.

"It is a peculiarity that hero worship is a taboo in this country."

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said at the opening conference that he had no interest in glorifying soldiers with the games without anyone having asked for it...

In doing so, he is countering supposed fears among the population and referring to the complicated relationship between the population and the Bundeswehr mentioned above. However, there is a need for social rituals, events and a tribute to soldiers who have risked life and limb or been traumatised in operations. They must be shown that we will grant them a place in the centre of society even after their return.

"A tribute to professions that serve society, such as the police, fire brigade and emergency services." 

It is a peculiarity that hero worship is taboo in this country; other nations see it differently. Of course, this has to do with our history and the break with our military tradition. Nevertheless, in my opinion, the turn of an era requires the concept of the hero to be revitalised. There also needs to be greater recognition of professions that serve society, such as the police, fire brigade and emergency services.

I read about you in connection with your campaign #WirGegenExtremismus #WeAgainstExtremism. What is it all about? 

Together with a handful of members of the German Armed Forces, I initiated the 2021 social media campaign. In a very short space of time, over 2,500 members of the Bundeswehr took part and took a stand against extremism of any kind. Over time, even civilians and members of the Bundestag got involved. National and international soldiers' associations such as the Bundeswehr Association, the Reservists' Association, the Association of German Service Veterans and EUROMIL then took up the initiative and took it further. Information on this can be found at www.WirGegenExtremismus.de. In 2023, we were able to incorporate the campaign into the United Nations' International Weeks against Racism. For 2024, we are working together with Diakonie Deutschland, "We, successful through diversity" and the "Alliance for Democracy and Tolerance" on a cross-organisational democracy project. Our aim is to strengthen the social centre, counter the polarisation of society and show that we soldiers have both feet firmly on the ground of our constitution.

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Book written by Marcel Bohnert ©Mittler-Verlag/Christian Spreitz

©Vierfingerfilm/Norman Jankowski