FACTS: Denmark honors deployed personnel for the 18th time with national flag day

Denmark will mark its national flag day for deployed personnel for the 18th time on Sept. 5, honoring people who have served on missions approved by Parliament, the government or a minister.

The day covers current and former personnel sent abroad by the armed forces, emergency services, police, Foreign Ministry and health service. It also recognizes the families of those deployed. The occasion combines remembrance of those who died with celebrations for those who served.

The central program includes a ceremony in Copenhagen and an official event in Jutland, which will be held in Holstebro this year. Across the Danish Realm, local events will also mark the occasion.

Official ceremonies include a wreath-laying at the Citadel in Copenhagen, at the monument to Denmark’s international missions since 1948. A memorial service for Denmark’s fallen will take place at Holmen Church, followed by a parade for this year’s deployed personnel at Christiansborg Palace Square. The royal couple, Danish authorities and international partner organizations are expected to attend.

On the official flag day, all state authorities must fly the split flag from their buildings. The tradition began after Corporal Kim Eg Thygesen, who served in Kosovo in 2004 and Afghanistan in 2006, proposed a national day to honor deployed personnel. The government approved the flag day in 2009, and Denmark held it for the first time that year.