Have you seen how the Battle of the Bulge veterans keep memory alive, pass ceremony to next generation?

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:18:10 -0500

Have you seen how the Battle of the Bulge veterans keep memory alive, pass ceremony to next generation?

RP Members there has been several posts on the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge anniversary, but Veterans of the battle used to have their own organization in Westmoreland County, but it was disbanded about two years ago because of a lack of members.

The group's remaining funds were given to Greensburg's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 to continue the tradition of holding a ceremony each year at the memorial.

“Them guys started dying off, and the VFW said they'd take it over, and they'd always do it,” said Joe Frank, a member of the VFW Honor Guard. “We're always going to do it, every year.”

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/battle-of-the-bulge-veterans-keep-memory-alive-pass-ceremony-to-next-generation-1.383917

Joseph A. Folino wore a crisp Army uniform and shiny black shoes as he placed a wreath by the Battle of the Bulge memorial Saturday at the National Guard Armory on Donohoe Road in Hempfield.

He has stood there many times before to commemorate the anniversary of one of World War II's most ferocious encounters. He used to be surrounded by dozens of his brothers in arms during these ceremonies, but on Saturday only two other veterans of the battle stood beside him.

“So many have passed on. There's nobody left. There's only about three of us,” he said.

Battle of the Bulge veterans keep memory alive, pass ceremony to next generation

The Battle of the Bulge was fought from December 1944 into January 1945 in the forests of Belgium and Luxembourg. It was the last major offensive of the German army, a last-ditch attempt to cut off the supply lines of the advancing Allied troops.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 8:51 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 08:51:38 -0500

Very cool for the VFW to keep this tradition rolling along, as it was just getting too difficult for the few old men left to do on their own.

My grandfather was there at the Bulge, leading his battalion of panzers on the far right flank of the advance. He didn't talk about the war much, but he was proud of that attack, having met all of his unit's objectives. They were forced to retreat on foot, when expected seizures of supplies along the way failed to materialized and they ran out of fuel.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 14 at 2015 9:14 AM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:14:40 -0500

AS a student of history I have been interested in the battles which took place ion and around the Argonne Forrest including the Ballet of the Bulge for a long time COL Mikel J. Burroughs. So many stories and anecdotes have come forth from the battle including MG Anthony McAuliffe'S reply of "Nuts" to General von Lüttwitz's ultimatum.
I am glad the Battle of the Bulge veterans are helping to keep alive the memory of that battle among other veterans. Historians, those who to read about heroic exploits from Homer through Afghanistan and movie watchers will remember the battle of the Bulge.

Response by PO2 Mark Saffell made Dec 14 at 2015 9:14 AM

PO2 Mark Saffell — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:14:45 -0500

Several pretty good movies about this last push by Germany. One of the best has Henry Fonda. Not sure the need for gas for Germany was accurate but it made for a good movie.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Dec 14 at 2015 9:25 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:25:11 -0500

I love collecting the stories of veterans. All have provided grist for my story mill. A couple of veterans from the Battle of the Bulge inspired "The Ghosts of Christmas Past"
http://www.jackdurish.com/7/post/2014/05/ghosts-of-christmas-past.html

It's been a while since I wrote this and a question occurred as I reread it just now: What ghosts haunt us? I have many. Have you?

Ghosts of Christmas Past

THE BLANKET FELL, one crystal at a time whispering in the dark. Like nature’s cosmetologist, it smoothed every wrinkle and hid every blemish. Peace reigned, if only for a moment, and the deepest...

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Dec 14 at 2015 9:47 AM

Capt Walter Miller — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 09:47:32 -0500

"Have you seen how the Battle of the Bulge veterans keep memory alive, pass ceremony to next generation?"

A lot of drinking and acting out, right? I read somewhere that some of the vets reunions back in the '50s were extremely wild and risque.

Walt

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Dec 14 at 2015 10:29 AM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 10:29:55 -0500

COL Mikel J. Burroughs An honor for the Greensburg's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 to continue this ceremony and remembrance.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Dec 14 at 2015 11:04 AM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 11:04:22 -0500

Tradition and History - always great to pass on.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 11:12 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 11:12:38 -0500

My Uncle was in the Battle of the Bulge. He was as tough as they come, and a really good guy. He has since passed, but I can still remember him showing me some of his military items that were treasures to him.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2015 2:14 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 14:14:21 -0500

Unfortunately, as time marches on we are losing America's Greatest Generation at an ever increasing pace. I'm proud to see the VFW commit to continuing this ceremony long term.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Dec 14 at 2015 8:29 PM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 20:29:33 -0500

Thanks for sharing. It's awesome that the VFW is doing this. This is another reason for me to start becoming active in my local chapter (I am a lifetime member after all, LOL).

This reminds me of Sons of the American Revolution. Obviously there are no survivors of that war, so these men carry on the tradition.