Sent to me by John McAuliffe, 87th Inf Div. Thanks John!

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RECOGNIZING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE -- (Extensions of Remarks - December 06, 2004)

[Page: E2151] GPO's PDF

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SPEECH OF

HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

OF MASSACHUSETTS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

MONDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2004

* Mr. MCGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge on the occasion of its 60th Anniversary this month. On November 16, 2004, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 110, a resolution recognizing the 60th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II, and I was proud to vote in favor of H.J. Res. 110.

* Mr. Speaker, the Battle of the Bulge was a significant turning point of the Allied victory over the Axis powers in Northern Europe. At the time of the battle , from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, the outcome of World War II was in question. But neither the harsh winter nor enemy fire could overcome the Allied determination to win the greatest battle of that war.

* Mr. Speaker, out of the 16 million veterans of World War II, roughly 4 million are with us and about 1,200 die each day. With each death, we lose a first hand account of the war and the opportunity to thank them for their service. That is why it is so important that the House, on this anniversary, acknowledge the sacrifice and service of the men of the Battle of the Bulge .

* Mr. Speaker, after 60 years, the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge are traveling to Belgium and Luxembourg this month to participate in 60th Anniversary events. They and their families will join with the people of Belgium and Luxembourg in somber remembrance of the battle . Both the King of the Belgians, Albert II, and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Henri, will participate in official events.

* Mr. Speaker, my hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts is home to the Central Massachusetts Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge . The Worcester chapter has 155 members. Its objective is to honor the men who fought at the battle , to preserve historical data and sites, to foster international peace and goodwill, and to promote friendship and comradeship. The Worcester chapter has honored the 10 sons of Worcester who died during the battle by placing square markers throughout the city. Many members of the chapter are going to Europe this month for the remembrance services.

* Mr. Speaker, the Battle of the Bulge and World War II tore apart the continent of Europe. It pitted great civilizations against each other in an epic battle for control of Europe. But the Allied victory and the great sacrifice of the men of World War II have contributed to today's peace in Europe. Indeed, the United States, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and other nations involved in the Battle of the Bulge are allies today as members of NATO. Our countries have worked closely on solidarity, freedom, security, and the trans-Atlantic alliance. Today's European and American cooperation is due in large part to the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge .

* Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives, I thank these veterans for their service, their courage, their sacrifice and their continuing efforts to foster international freedom and democracy.

Make sure you do a search for all the great topics and links related to the Battle of the Bulge. I don't think we need to start another topic this December, since we already have extensive links on this battle. We can add to this one, or simply point to other posts on our site, if you'd like someone here to read something in particular.

Here's to all the guys who fought so bravely during this horrible battle.

And some photos from my Belgian friend, Eric Remy. I've included the photo names too. Thank you Eric.

I think I now have the right photo order with captions.

BASTOGNE_12 déc.2009_Helen Patton and the Veteran Gilbert Stevenot

BASTOGNE_65th_12-12-2009_Helen Patton and me

BASTOGNE_65th_12-12-2009_Helen Patton

BASTOGNE_65th_12-12-2009_my wife, Helen Patton and me

BASTOGNE_65th_12-12-2009_my wife, Helen Patton and me

BASTOGNE_65th_12-12-2009_the authorities

BASTOGNE_65th_12-12-2009_the US Ambassador in Belgium

BASTOGNE_65th_12-12-2009_US Ambassador in Belgium, grandson of General Anthony McAuliffe, Mayor of Bastogne

Jim Hennessey's name is within this page:

http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/bulge/4.html#87thInfantry

From JACK to JIM:

One of our Battle of the Bulge men, Dick Brookins, just returned from Luxembourg. He was interviewed by Ch9 this AM and it will be on CH 9 at 5PM today, December 4th. CH 9 usually replays their articles several times over the next 24 hrs. Dick was in Wiltz, Luxembourg in Dec. 1944 with the 28th Infantry Div. He was picked to play St. Nicholas in a town celebration. The Germans had just been driven out of the town and this was a big celebration. The town was almost completely destroyed ten days later when the Battle of the Bulge started and the Germans came back. He did such a great job that the town has invited him back several times for the St. Nicholas celebration. The story has been on national TV a couple of times. A book was even written about the event. It was just so different from the horror of war that was going on all around them. CNN covered the story this time and expect it will be on their network early next week. It is really a great story --- try to catch it.

 

While I have your attention ----- Our Battle of the Bulge chapter is going to be disolved as of the 16th of this month. We are simply too old to run an effective organization any more. Our ages run from 84-94, there are not many of us left. Many of our men could not walk in the Memorial Day parade because of old war wounds and many of the rest couldn't walk because our legs arn't so good anymore. We do intend to continue the ceremonies at our monument at the entrance to Ontario Beach Park on Memorial Day and Veterans Day as long as we are able. You are invited to our last meeting at the Town of Greece meeting room at 1PM on Wednesday, Dec. 16th. We hope to have a nice ceremony, celebrate our history, shed a few tears, remember our comrades who died in that terrible battle 65 years ago, and have a couple of speeches as we fold our flags for the last time. Local dignitaries and possibly a congressman will be present.

 

As Douglas MacArthur said, "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away."

 

Regards,

Jack

Also from Jim H - Many of these photos related to the Bulge!

http://history06.photos.military.com/hack/...p;format=atom10

Dear Marion

 

I hope all is well. Attached find some then and now from the Battle fot he Bulge. This is from the Southern Flank. I had a German veteran friend who passed away and I got his war photos. So we tracked down the locations.

 

Have fun and you might shown them on your forum.

 

The Vianden photos text is:

 

Well, today 65 years ago, elements of FJR 15 crossed the river Our near Vianden.

 

The Vianden photos have been taken 07.30 A.M in December 2006 and shows one of the bridges (Steinbogenbrücke ) over the Our near Vianden. Here some boats of the paratroopers of Fallschirmpionier Btl 5 overturned due to flood and some troopers drawned. This was the crossing point mainly for 1st Btl / FJR 15 together with the bridge in the town itself.

 

The whole 15th Fallschirmjaeger Rgt crossed the river Our also on a damaged railroad bridge. Further down at Roth and der Our was a Poton-bridge which was buid by Fallschirm-Pioniere of the Fsch Pi. Btl 5, This bridge was called "The Gröschke Bridge". The photo shows the bridge in the town Vianden it self and was taken in Dec. 2006

 

The Vianden Castle photo text is:

 

Here is a pic of the Vianden castle. This was an observer post from the US troops during the attack and most of the opposing fire against the german paratroopers came from the smal US garrison of 36 soldiers. The garrison was wiped out around 11 A.M on December 16 1944 by the 4th Comp. of Fallschirmpionier Btl 5 under Lt. Prigge .The Fallschirmjaeger continued their advance. Photo taken in the afternoon Dec, 2006

 

Jürg

 

Switzerland

Very cool "Now and Then"s. It's always great to see new pictures. It's amazing how many pictures were taken and yet you see so many of the same ones over and over.

http://www.rtlinfo.be/info/votre_region/lu...nes#videoPlayer

This video:Grand défilé historique pour les 65 ans de la bataille des Ardennes à Bastogne

At 00:16 you can see me across the street with the camera and the black coat

Am I a celeb now?