This picture shows a memorial setup by Sherry Klopp, in her home for her father, Staff Sergeant Richard H. Switzer, 99th Infantry Division, 395th Infantry Regiment, Company H.
Included in the memorial is the flag she was presented at his funeral, his dog tags, Battle of the Bulge medallions, Army hat, and other assorted items.
Also pictured are two homemade army tanks. One tank was made by Richard, and one tank was made by James R. Mooneyhan, Barbara Mooneyhan’s father.
LEHIGH VALLEY CHAPTER OF THE VETERANS OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE
At the annual Christmas party held on December 9, 2014 at the Best Western Inn in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Battle of the Bulge veterans were presented with certificates honoring their service during World War II, particularly during the Battle of the Bulge. The proclamations were from United States Senator Pat Toomey. The chapter also received a certificate commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.
In addition, new officers were voted in for the Chapter. They are President: John Kuhn, Vice President: Richard Musselman, Board Members: Lionel Adda and Frank Maresca.
The chapter would like to thank President Emeritus, Morris Metz, for all his years of service as president of the Lehigh Valley Chapter since its inception in May of 1998.
Members at the meeting:
Front Row(l-r): Nathan Kline, Pauline Minnich, Clem Reed, Louis Vargo
Back Row(l-r): James Binder, Morris Metz, Joseph Motil, Carl Schroeter, Willard Fluck, Lionel Adda, Donald Heckman, Harold Kist, Donald Burdick.
Nine other members not present were also honored. They are Evangeline Coeyman, Raymond DeRaymond, Gordon Fenicle, Laverne Gildner, Mark Kistler, William Leopold, Frank Maresca, Richard Smith, and Ray Brong.
Submitted by Steve Savage
VBOB – SOUTHERN BULGE TOUR – June 15th to the 25th, 2014
The VBOB Luxembourg American Friendship Week (LAFW) and Southern Bulge Tour in June, 2014 proved to be a trip of a lifetime. I completed a personal vow that I’d walk in some of the towns and villages where my father (131st Armored Ordnance Battalion – 9th Armored Division) fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Although, he would never discuss his experiences in the Battle of the Bulge, my father would jokingly grouse that the Nazis screwed up his chance of getting a birthday weekend pass on that historic day of December 16, 1944 – the day the battle began. As a 1st generation American, my father loved this country deeply, and upon his military discharge in 1946, he spent the next 36 years as a Master Sargent and proud member of the Army Reserve’s 331st General Hospital unit based at Fort Devins, MA
On Sunday, June 15th, under the superb guidance of Patrick Hinchy (our tour guide & historian), a group of us (Harry Whisler, a highly decorated medic with the 10th A.D., his family, and I), made our way out to the Normandy region. On the way, we stopped at the massive Chateaux de La Roche-Guyon, used as the HQ of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel while he built-up the Normandy coastal defenses. Not only did the chateaux serve as the HQ of Rommel’s Army Group B, but it was also the meeting place of several very high ranking German officers, including Rommel’s Chief of Staff, General Speidel, and other conspirators as they plotted to remove Hitler from power in July of 1944.
From our hotel “HQ” in Bayeux (Normandy), we toured the D-Day Museum (Musee Memoriale Battaille de Normadie), and saw the famous Bayeux Tapestry, a remarkable 900 year old, 230 foot long hand embroidered panels showing Normandy’s William The Conqueror, sailing to England to defeat Harrold at the historical Battle at Hastings in 1066 A.D. The following day, June 16th, we walked on the beaches – Arromanche, Port en Bessin, Omaha, Utah, and saw Pointe du Hoc. We peered out of the concrete bunkers and over the edge of the cliffs, and saw the perspective that the enemy had as they fired on the Allied troops. It’s amazing that any of the GIs made it past the beaches or up over those cliffs as they dodged the gunfire. With bomb craters evident everywhere, the entire area is a vast permanent monument to the courage and sacrifice of men who arrived on Utah and Omaha Beaches on D-Day. From there, it was short trek to the solemn Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial Museum at Colleville-sur-Mer. It was then on to see the famous Parachute Memorial at the Church of St. Mary in St. Mere Eglise – the very first village in France liberated by mixed units of the 82nd & 101st Airborne.
We returned to Paris on June 17th to meet up with the rest of the tour group, boarded a high speed train to Luxembourg, and then on to our hotel in the wonderful little village of Gonderange, just northeast of Luxembourg City. That evening we all enjoyed a hearty dinner with a most friendly group from the US Veterans Friends of Luxembourg (USVFL). The following day, June 18th, we took in the sights, sounds, and smells as we walked through the vibrant & historic center of Luxembourg City. At the Foundation Pescatore, General Patton’s HQ in Luxembourg, the entire group watched as each of the veterans (87th Divisions’ John McAuliffe – 347th IR, Charles Pefinis – 345th IR, Ken Yockey – 336 FAB, as well as Harry Whisler – 61st Armored Infantry of the 10th AD, and Ike Refice – 80th Div. 319th IR) were honored at a special ceremony, with each veteran presented medals and citations.
Next on the agenda was quick visit to the VBOB Monument across from the Pescatore, followed by a very solemn 70th anniversary wreath-laying rededication at the US Cemetery at Hamm attended by Carolyn Turpin, Public Affairs Officer from the US Embassy. Flowers were placed at the grave of Gen. Patton, and Ike Refice located the grave of Sgt. Day Turner, also of the 319th IR, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroics at the Astert Farm battle in Dahl, Luxembourg. Just a short trip down the road was the German cemetery with its mass grave of unknowns and plain grey granite headstones – a very stark contrast to the gleaming white marble headstones of the US cemetery. That evening, we attended the Celebration of the Four Chaplains and a festive dinner in Oetrange, Luxembourg. Several toasts were offered, including a rather poignant account by a former German soldier who was captured during the Bulge and was a POW at Ft. Devins, MA until 1946. He recounted that it was there that he came to know the true meaning of freedom & respect for America – a profound experience that changed the rest of his life.
On June 19th, we went to a local high school in Diekirch and had a Q&A session with the students. They were spell-bound as the veterans, in response to the students’ many thoughtful questions, recounted some of their experiences in the Battle of the Bulge Following the discussion, our tour group and several representatives from USVFL enjoyed a wonderful lunch ceremony in the ‘student restaurant.’ Jeffry Olesen, the U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission, was in attendance and gave a wonderful testimonial to the accomplishments of the vets. After lunch, we visited the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch. Our bus then crossed over the Sauer River into Germany to Wallendorf and Ammeldingen. We made a quick stop in Medernach at the 9th Armored Memorial, that honors its three combat commands (CCA, CCB, and CCR) in Bastogne, St. Vith, Clervaux, Ermsdorf, Waldbillig, Troisvierges, Longvilly, Medernach, Larochette, and Werbomont. That evening, we joined many of the USVFL members for another hearty dinner and sampling the wonderful local wines.
On June 20th, after visiting the George Patton Memorial, the Wiltz Defense memorials to the numerous units of the 3rd Army at Schummans Eck and then experiencing goose bumps while stepping into the remnants of various foxholes in the surrounding woods, we spent the majority of the day in and around the town of Bastogne. We saw the Memorial du Mardasson – a truly impressive memorial. Climbing to the top of the Memorial offers a 360 degree panoramic view of the countryside where the battle for Bastogne was fought. We visited the Bastogne War Museum on the same grounds as the Memorial and saw numerous multimedia exhibits that helped explain that epic battle for Bastogne.
After a quick stop at the 10th Armored Memorial, the tour group arrived at the Bastogne Barracks. It was here on Dec. 22, 1944, when General von Lüttwitz, commander of the German forces surrounding Bastogne, demanding the surrender of US forces, that General Anthony McAuliffe famously responded “Nuts.” When the barracks’ commanding officers (Colonel Olivier D’Hoop and Commandant Eric Lemoine) realized there were 5 WWII veterans of the Battle of the Bulge standing at their gate, they pulled out the stops and guided our group to a private tour of the facility. The veterans were treated royally, as they were asked to sign a special veterans guest book and had their photos taken for the ‘Wall of Honor’ in McAuliffe’s bunker. On the way back to the hotel, we visited memorials to the 87th ID in the towns of Tillet and St. Hubert, and discussed the action there with 87th ID veterans Charles Pefinis & John McAulliffe (no relation to the General!).
On Saturday, June 21, Daniel Reiland, Pres. of the USVFL group and I went off to tour Schoenfels, Lintgen, Mersch, Nospelt, Savelborn, Troisvierges, and Clervaux – many of the local towns & villages where the 9th Armored Division units fought in the Southern Bulge sector. The rest of the tour group went on to the Saar-Moselle Triangle where the vets were honored at the re-dedication of the 94th ID monument by several dignitaries including Helen Patton, granddaughter of George Patton.
On Sunday June 22, the group attended a very solemn re-dedication of the 10th AD memorial in Berdorf, where the mayor led a gathering of towns people in the ceremony along with a special presentation honoring Harry Whisler, as his battle exploits were recounted by his son-in-law, Jim Jones. We then traveled up to the West Wall Museum, a Siegfried Line bunker complex in Irrel known as the “Cat’s Head”, set into the hillside in the South Eifel region. It was the 2nd largest fort of its kind on the West Wall, and was an amazing complex containing MG34 gun turrets, a 500mm grenade launcher, a flame thrower, and 45 rooms underground that housed up to 80 soldiers. It was then on to Echternach and a stop at the 3rd Army memorial and a visit to the impressive St. Willibrord Basilica in Echternach with its stunning frescoes and white marble sarcophagus, containing the remains of St. Willibrord. Built in 698, it was nearly completely destroyed during the Battle of the Bulge, but rebuilt after the war and celebrated its 1300th anniversary in 1998. That evening’s dinner was served up at a wonderful winery in Ahn, Luxxembourg, a picturesque village along the Moselle River – just outstanding food & wines.
On Monday June 23, after celebrating Luxembourg’s National Day with church services at St. Vincents in Dahl, it was on to the Sgt. Day Turner memorial at the Astert Farm. Here, Ike Refice recited the story of the battle that his friend Sgt. Turner and his squad fought at the farm on January 8, 1945. For 4 hours the savage fighting continued, some of it hand-to-hand. There were 11 dead and many other wounded Germans, and with only three in his squad unwounded, Sgt. Turner brought an end to the battle and rounded up 25 German prisoners. For this heroic action, Sgt. Turner received the Congressional Medal of Honor, posthumously however, as Sgt. Turner was killed in action attacking a West Wall bunker in Wallendorf on February 8th, one month to the day of the battle at the Astert Farm.
Following a wonderful lunch at Aflamm’s with Lucy Leners of the Astert Farm, the group proceeded to a rededication of a memorial to Alfred Etchevery, a GI killed in action in Goesdorf. That evening, at the bon voyage dinner at the hotel in Gonderange with many of the USVFL representatives, there were many toasts with the highlight being the grand toast by Helen Patton, and then leading everyone in songs & tributes to the veterans.
On Tuesday, June 24, the tour group left Gonderange and enjoyed a leisurely motor coach ride through the picturesque Mosel River Valley, with a stop to tour the famous ‘picture post card’ wine town of Bernkastel. In Koblenz, we visited the famous statue of Kaiser Wilhelm located on the point where the Mosel & Rhine rivers intersect. This was the same statue that Ken Yockey’s 87th FAB were ordered to shell & destroy as the GIs approached Koblenz in ‘45. It was also here that a couple of GIs in Charles Pefinis’ unit found a champagne cellar, drank too much, threw a hand grenade and inadvertently captured a few dozen or so Nazi soldiers for which they received medals. Here the group boarded for cruise down the Rhine to Boppard where the group was met by the current & former mayors of the town. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch & sampled the several wines as guests of the Sylvia the “Wine Queen” at Bopparder Weinkonigin. It was then on to City Hall, where the Mayors honored the vets, followed by a rededication ceremony of a stone memorial to the 87th Division, where on the night of March 24th, 1945, they finally crossed the Rhine River.
The tour group spent that night in Frankfurt, and the next day caught flights home full of priceless memories. This recounting is dedicated to those veterans who made this 70th Southern Bulge Anniversary trip so special, to my father and all the other men & women of the Greatest Generation who experienced firsthand the Battle of the Bulge, and especially to Ken Yockey, who unfortunately passed away on July 4th – 10 days after returning to his home in Ohio from the trip.
By Michael LoPiano – Associate Member
TOUR PARTICIPANTS GATHERED FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES
Tuesday, December 9
For many of us, our adventure began already at the Brussels Airport as we were warmly welcomed by Belgian Army Adjutant Patrick Brion & Assistant Tour Director Doug Mitchell, as well as Dominique Potier & Erik Grandhenry also of the Belgian Army. Tour Director Patrick Hinchy then greeted us at Bedford Hotel in downtown Brussels.
Veterans and their escorts quickly departed to meet privately with US Ambassador Denise Bauer in her residence. Meanwhile, others rested or walked a short distance to the medieval Grand-Place with its ornate, historic buildings. Just at dark, a spectacular light and music show took place there.
Following a welcome dinner in hotel restaurant, noted British military historian/documentary film maker, Martin King showed, “The Forgotten Angel of Bastogne” – the compelling true story of August Chiwy, a bi-racial Belgian nurse who volunteered selflessly at great personal risk in a US Army aid station in Bastogne during Battle of the Bulge.
Wednesday, December 10
Departed Brussels in two large buses, donated by Belgian Army, for Belgian Army’s Camp Elsenborn in the Ardennes Forest. Elsenborn Ridge formed the blocking line for the northern shoulder of the Battle of the Bulge. A fierce 10-day battle here kept the German line from advancing. One of our veterans shared his experiences at this very location 70 years ago. Next stop was Wereth 11 Memorial, which honors 11 black GI’s executed by German soldiers at that spot in December 1944. A brief ceremony also took place at the Baugnez memorial, site of notorious “Malmedy Massacre” where dozens of American prisoners were murdered by SS-Kampfgruppe of Joachim Peiper. Participants then toured nearby Baugnez44 museum. In the evening we checked into the lovely Radisson Blu Palace Hotel in the charming, historic town of Spa, Belgium where we would stay until 14 Dec.
Thursday, December 11
Today was an extremely busy day. It began with impressive wreath-laying ceremony with color guard, followed by a reception at Stavelot. Mayor Thierry de Bourneville and General Director Jacques Remy-Paquay led the events. Stavelot, scene of heavy fighting, was where over 100 local civilians, including women and children, were murdered by Peiper’s Kampfgruppe.
Next stop was the small but extremely significant town of La Gleize. Here the advance of Peiper’s Kampfgruppe was halted; their rout considered a principal cause of Germany’s ultimate defeat in Battle of the Ardennes. Noteworthy is the German Tiger II tank in the town square. Our group was warmly greeted by Le Magneus deMakeye and moved by the musical tribute by local children singing a song written by Headmaster Marc Mathieu for the occasion.
A highlight of any VBOB tour is a delicious lunch at Auberge du Carrefour at Baraque de Fraiture, known to us as Parker’s Crossroads. Bernadette Lejeune, daughter of the innkeepers who aided members of 106th Inf Div 70 years ago, welcomed us all as family. Denise Ogre and Anne-Marie Noel-Simon of CRIBA made presentations; wreaths were laid at the crossroad’s memorial105mm howitzer. Barely 300 US Troops resisted a German panzer division here for 3 crucial days (“Alamo Defense”) until all but about 50 were killed or taken prisoner.
On our way to La Roche-en-Ardennes, we passed by Ourthe Valley bridge near Houffalize where Third Army and First Army “closed” the Bulge. In La Roche, we toured the 3-story Museum of the Battle of the Ardennes with its unusual displays of American, English, Scottish & German military uniforms and gear. The soup/sandwich reception was much appreciated on this cold, damp day.
Free time in the evening, enabled us to wander the little streets of Spa and try its local eateries, as well as gather as we did most evenings, in little groups to share stories and experiences.
Friday, December 12
At Henri-Chappelle American Cemetery (where nearly 8,000 of our military dead are buried) we were welcomed by Superintendent Bobby Bell and US Embassy representative Marc Storella. A stirring “Soldier’s Poem” was read by Mathilde Schmetz. After the ceremonies, electric carts were available for those wishing to brave the snowy weather to pay respects at specific graves.
Another must stop on VBOB tours is M&M’s “Remember Museum” located on the farm where Marcel Schmetz was a young boy during the Battle of the Bulge. He and his lovely wife, Mathilde graciously opened their home and hearts to us, sharing their remarkable stories and collections of artifacts, many of which were left behind by GIs camped on the farm as they fled advancing Germans in 1944. This museum is unique in its huge compilation of individual soldier’s accounts (each of which Mathilde can recite with love), photographs and very personal donated memorabilia. Marcel actually and builds and creates every single display.
For those not yet ready to return to the hotel, a visit to the old city of Aachen, first German city to fall to the Allies, with its beautiful, centuries old Dom Cathedral and huge, festive Christmas Market topped off the day.
Saturday, December 13
The strategic, multi-crossroads town of Bastogne, on a cold, snowy day – how appropriate! This was “Nuts Days” – the annual celebration of General McAuliffe’s famous reply to the German demand that he surrender the totally surrounded town. Military re-enactors throughout town, tanks and jeeps firing up everywhere! Following lunch in the old Bastogne Barracks mess, our veterans were honored at a reception at the 101st Airborne Museum hosted by Helen Patton, granddaughter of General Patton. A ceremony and wreath laying followed at the Patton Monument, with our veterans front and center.
Opportunity for a private meeting with King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium was provided to the veterans. To their surprise, they also had their pictures taken with Tom Brokaw who was delighted to meet veterans of the Greatest Generation. The rest of us took in further sights in Bastogne. Some of us even shook the hand of King Phillip as he walked past in the parade. We joined throngs waving American and Belgian flags who gathered in front of the Town Hall and we were thrilled to catch a traditional bag of walnuts thrown from the balcony by the Belgian royalty and other dignitaries.
[Note: at least one of our veterans and perhaps family members should share their experiences of visiting the King and Queen]
One touching story: an elderly Belgian lady waited hours in the snowy cold simply to give a red rose to each of our veterans. Though we did not share a common language, her beautiful act of honor and remembrance left us all deeply moved.
Sunday, December 14
Flag of Friendship Ceremony at 106th Infantry Division HQ monument in St. Vith honored four present “Golden Lions”: David Bailey, Dick Lockhart, Herb Sheaner, and Barney Mayershohn. Ceremony was dedicated to veteran Floyd Ragsdale who expected to attend but sadly passed away just days before the trip. An honor guard from Spangdahlem AFB supported the event, while Chaplain Randall gave the invocation and Mayor Christian Krings welcomed vets. The recipients of 2014 Flag of Friendship award were Marcel and Mathilde Schmetz who, in their M&M Remember Museum, perpetuate the history of Battle of the Bulge soldiers.
St. Vith honored the veterans and guests at the Mayor’s reception at nearby Hotel Pip-Margraff.
A convoy of WWII military vehicles (few of us braved the cold to ride in an open jeep) then accompanied our tour buses, following the path of retreat to Vielsalm. On the way, a lunch stop was made at the unique Rodter Biermuseum, displaying thousands of beer bottles from all over the world.
The military convoy continued to Vielsalm-Rencheux for ceremony at C-47/82Airborne multi-divisional monument. Tribute is paid here to the defenders and crossers of the Rencheux Bridge, where15, 000 soldiers crossed the river to form a new line of defense and later returned to liberate the town. Purely by chance the adult granddaughter of a deceased veteran was visiting this site. Dignitaries honored her as well as the veterans present, a deeply moving scene for all.
Almost 70 years to the day after German forces broke through Allied lines and surrounded the tiny town of Clervaux, local dignitaries, in their 12th century castle where Allied forces had stubbornly held out as long as they could, hosted a reception for returning Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. An impressive photo exhibit by the renowned photographer Tony Vaccaro was the backdrop. A ceremony took place at their unique statue – on of few dedicated simply to the American GI. It was a raw, chilly evening and the warm blankets thoughtfully provided to our veterans once again by Patrick Brion were most welcome.
During dinner at Hotel Koerner, a Veterans of the Greatest Generation tour sat with us and most lively conversations ensued. Finally, we had to board buses for The Grand Hotel Alfa in Luxembourg City.
Monday, December 15
Following a brief, but excellent Battle of the Bulge film by Patrick Brion, veterans participated in a Q &A session with high school students at the Lycee Classique De Diekirch. Lunch at Beau Sejour Restaurant was a treat. Several re-enactors were present at our visit to Roland Gaul’s impressive National Museum of Military History, with its huge amount of original artifacts and exquisitely detailed dioramas portraying significant events of the Battle of the Bulge. A few of us also enjoyed strolling through Diekirch’s pleasant, holiday decorated pedestrian center.
On Christmas Day 1944, in the tiny town of Ettelbruck, General Patton stopped the German offensive into Luxembourg’s Alzette Valley. The newly re-opened Patton Museum there displays photos and artifacts from the period of German occupation and the celebration of its liberation by Patton’s army.
A delightful change of pace, hosted by Helen Patton, was a nostalgic performance by the Andrew Sisters-style Spitfire Sisters singing swing songs of ‘40s. Many music fans stayed on to enjoy Thomas Blug Allstars’ rock and roll homage to the Greatest Generation.
Tuesday, December 16
Veterans were invited for audience with Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg in the Grand-Ducal Palace. The rest of the group enjoyed an official guided walking tour through parts of historical Luxembourg City.
[Note: at least one of our veterans and perhaps family members should share their experiences of visiting the Duke and Duchess]
Today’s official 70th Anniversary Battle of the Bulge commemorations began with a joint government of Luxembourg and the US Embassy ceremony held, under tents due to inclement weather, at Luxembourg-American Cemetery, Hamm. Speakers included His Excellency Mr. Xavier Bettel, Commander US Army Europe General Ben Hodges and Commander USAFE General Frank Gorenc. Also present were HRH Grand Duke Henri, President of Luxembourg Parliament Mars Di Bartolomeo, members of the Luxembourg Parliament /Government and US Ambassador Robert A. Mandell. School children, with veterans, poignantly placed 70 roses.
The playing of several European national anthems emphasized the unification theme of ceremonies at the National Liberation Monument, Schumann’s Eck, site of another of the war’s bloodiest battles. About 30 Battle of the Bulge veterans were present, along with many dignitaries. One wreath was touchingly laid by an American veteran together with a German veteran.
A grand finale dinner, offered by the Luxembourg government in the Grand Hotel Alfa, was enjoyed by all. A keyboard artist, member of Luxembourg Military Band provided 40’s background music.
Wednesday, December 17
Time to return to Hotel Bedford in Brussels. We’d come full circle. Evening ended with Farewell Dinner with the Belgian Army in Peutie Barracks. An extraordinary surprise event took place: Veteran Clayton Christiansen received his Bronze Star and Purple Heart (with his Silver Star forthcoming). It was also announced that Veteran George Merz would be receiving France’s highest decoration – the Legion of Honor award. It was an unforgettable event – few dry eyes!
Thursday, December 18
Our last ride on the comfortable Belgian Army buses with their outstanding drivers, Kurt Gordt and Dirk Van deVelde, brought many of us through rush hour traffic to Brussels International Airport for our flights back to the US. Several veterans pledged to return for the 75th Anniversary in 5 years – and I believe these intrepid, inspirational gentlemen just might do it!
Our ten veterans were overwhelmed by their “rock star” status, even those who had experienced prior trips. All of us were fascinated as their stories unfolded at various locations of special meaning to them. Second & third generation family members who had heard about the unbelievable welcome by the people of Belgium and Luxembourg were often moved to tears to witness it in person. What a treasure of memories – some life changing! Even those of us traveling to honor deceased veterans were overcome with emotion several times a day.
Deep appreciation goes to the many folks without whom this trip could not have happened: Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Association Council, especially Doug Dillard, John Bowen, Al Cunningham and Doris Davis; Adjutant Patrick Brion and his Belgian Army team; Tour Director Patrick Hinchy; local team of Doug Mitchell, Carl Wouters, CRIBA, SEBA and many local community officials, and MilSpec, Inc. which handled fees – and, of course, our valued veterans who provided the “why” of the whole trip!
You are encouraged to view the many photos and stories available on line at the Veterans of the Bulge website: https://www.battleofthebulge.org/?page_id=15
Submitted by Madeleine Bryant, Associate
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