Preserving the legacy of war veterans is about preserving, managing and fostering the heritage of the wars Finland fought from 1939 to 1945 and the legacy of the veterans of those wars as a central part of Finnish society. The task of preserving the legacy of war veterans was assigned to the Ministry of Defence in May 2024.
The Ministry of Defence guides the Tammenlehvä heritage association which cherishes the legacy and values of war veterans and the war generation. The association is responsible for preserving the legacy of war veterans and for coordinating regional activities.
To support the Ministry of Defence’s guidance task, the Ministry appointed an advisory board on veteran affairs that serves as a forum for cooperation and negotiations between parliamentary groups, public authorities and non-governmental organisations for the preservation of the legacy of war veterans. The Ministry of Defence and the Finnish Defence Forces have also appointed a national commission on the legacy of war veterans that guides and discusses practical veteran legacy matters. The Ministry of Defence will renew and maintain the traditions honouring the legacy of war veterans on the National Veterans’ Day and on anniversaries and remembrance days.
