Despite rain and occasional dense fog, the Luxembourg Army proceeded with its annual St Martin’s Day celebrations at the Härebierg barracks on 11 November.

The day honours Martin of Tours, who famously cut his cloak in half to share with a freezing man. As the patron saint of the Luxembourg Army, the occasion is traditionally marked with special ceremonies, with this year’s events placing a strong emphasis on core military values.

In his address, the newly appointed General, Claude Robinet, underscored the fundamental importance of values within the armed forces. He argued that these values are cultivated through role models who uphold high standards.

"None of this works without commitment, competence, discipline, reliability, and exemplary conduct," Robinet stated. "But one thing is essential: being human, and treating one another with humanity and respect, as our patron saint showed us by his example."

He further highlighted trust as the cornerstone of military operations, noting that effective leadership requires delegating responsibility. "A driver trusts the brakes when driving a 30-tonne vehicle down Härebierg; a section commander knows their rear is covered when a sniper is securing their sector," he explained.

Alain Schoeben, Commander of the Armed Forces and the Härebierg barracks, praised the consistently positive evaluations Luxembourg soldiers receive during international exercises, citing the recent deployment of the reconnaissance company to the Mailly Combat Training Centre in France.

He also commended the dedication of personnel at Härebierg, noting the paradox of staff being criticised for working long hours while NATO actively demands that allied armies maintain a "fight tonight" state of readiness. "We must not lose sight of the reason the army exists," Schoeben remarked. He coupled this observation with a call to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, emphasising that bureaucracy is only useful when it directly enables the efficient management of personnel and equipment.

Army Chaplain Nicolas Wenner used his address to reflect on an increasingly fragile global landscape. With conflict drawing closer to Europe and negative societal trends such as inequality, corruption, and aggression on the rise, Wenner argued that universal values must remain central.

"If Europe is to survive, it needs more reason, morality, and empathy," he said, framing Saint Martin as a historical symbol of unity who "always managed to overcome what divided people and nations."

The ceremony marked the final official St Martin’s Day for Chaplain Wenner, who is scheduled to step down from his post in April 2027. Reflecting on the countless memorable human experiences of his career, he offered his successor a lighthearted piece of advice: as the army’s padre, nothing works without a ready supply of Snickers bars.

Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes was absent from the ceremony due to a recent knee surgery.