Belgian interested in the Battle of the Bulge

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Dear Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge

I am a young Belgian interested in the history of World War II. I finished my studies of history last year in University of Louvain, Belgium. My dissertation is about the relations between the Belgian government and the disaster people after the Battle of the Bulge. Now, I work again on this study in order to publish it. I will see some archives in Washington DC next week for that matter. The history of the Battle of the Bulge is really my passion. I am a member of a Belgian association specialized in this matter called CRIBA, Centre de Recherches et d’Interprétation de la Bataille des Ardennes (http://www.criba.be/).

Since I am graduated, I have done different jobs in Belgium and in Scotland. Now, I travel around the US for a period of 6 months to improve my English and to learn more about your country. My main goal is to work after that in Bastogne, Belgium as guide in a Museum or on the battlefield. I have already taken some contact with the future managers of the new Museum dedicated to the Battle of the Bulge that will be set up there next year. I would like to take advantage of my presence in your country to see Museums talking about WWII but also to meet veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. I know that it will be more and more difficult for me to meet them in Europe because the trip to go there is quite long and they are getting old unfortunately. Meeting some of these actors who made the history of the Battle of the Bulge would be a great experience for a future guide. I have the last opportunity to meet them in the US during my trip and I would really like to take it.

Last weeks, I have stayed in Long Island where I have been to the Northport VA Medical Center Home and to the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. I have met there some WWII veterans but none took part to the Battle of the Bulge. It was interesting anyway. After some administrative clearances, people of the staff introduced me to them. Here are the references of the staff who guided me:

Before going back to Belgium in September, I will go to NYC, Washington DC, Nashville, Lafayette, New-Orleans, Las-Vegas and maybe in other places such California, Oregon, Chicago, Memphis, etc. I would like to hear from any veterans so I can hear their stories. I would like to express my gratitude for all your help in this matter. Please contact me as listed below.

Mathieu Billa
18D Berismenil
6980 La Roche-en-Ardenne
Belgium
mathieubilla@hotmail.com
312 420 6454