Flag-flying Day for Denmark's Deployed Personnel
In Denmark, the 5th of September is a national flag-flying day in honour of internationally deployed soldiers. The day was established on the initiative of a young war veteran and was celebrated the first time in 2009. In 2012, the day was celebrated in more than 30 towns throughout the country with wreathlaying, military parades, memorial services, music and tattoo, and the inauguration of several new memorials. This year also witnessed an increase in public protests against Denmark’s international military engagement. In Aarhus, the group Anonymous Denmark claimed responsibility for pouring red paint over a new monument to Denmark’s deployed soldiers, and in Copenhagen, both the Copenhagen Peace Watch and a group of vocal muslim activists had taken position opposite the Parliament building, where the soldiers – and their families – were officially thanked for their contribution by the political and military elite.
The national flag-flying Day 2012, Copenhagen
Time for reflection after the official wreath-laying ceremony at the Monument to Denmark’s International Effort since 1948, the Citadel in Copenhagen. Photo by Thomas Randrup Pedersen ©
Danish ISAF 13-troops observing Muslim activists facing Christiansborg Palace. Photo by Thomas Randrup Pedersen ©
DANCON ISAF 13 is inspected by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Frederik accompanied by the chief of the Royal Guard, Commandant of Copenhagen, colonel, Chamberlain Lasse Harkjær, Christiansborg Slotsplads. Photo by Thomas Randrup Pedersen ©
The national flag-flying day, Frederiksberg
Boys on top of an armored Piranha ambulance on display at the town hall square of Frederiksberg. Photo by Thomas Randrup Pedersen ©
A boy tries out sitting in the cockpit of a F-16 Fighting Falcon displayed at Frederiksberg town hall square. Photo by Thomas Randrup Pedersen ©
The national flag-flying day 2012, Aarhus
His Excellency count Ingolf inspects a line of standards held by members of local ex-servicemen’s clubs, the Memorial Park in Aarhus. Photo by Mads Daugbjerg ©
Wreath-laying ceremony during the inauguration of the Monument in Honour of Denmark’s deployed personnel, the Memorial Park in Aarhus. Photo by Mads Daugbjerg ©
Homecoming parade for DANCON ISAF 13, Copenhagen, September 5, 2012
Conscripts in the Royal Guard hand out Dannebrog-flags to the audience along the march route during the homecoming parade for DANCON ISAF 13. Photo by Thomas Randrup Pedersen ©
Danish ISAF-troops on march are bombarded with Dannebrog-flags during the homecoming parade for Team 13. Photo by Thomas Randrup Pedersen ©