I met Stanley at a 106th Division reunion. We had something in common, as we both were from that division, and we became great friends. He invited me to join the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, an organization in which he was active, and always saw to it that I was included in their functions.

Stan felt the Battle of the Bulge did not receive enough recognition, so when he became National President of VBOB, he investigated places that would be willing to have a monument installed that would be visible to many. The Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, PA was approached, and agreed to provide the space. Several of their graduates had fought or died in the Bulge. Through Stan’s efforts and cooperation from Belgium and Luxembourg, many donations were received, a prominent memorial was installed and a scholarship to the Academy was also donated. Each year at Christmastime, the members of the local Delaware Valley chapter met at the Military Academy for a church service with a speaker about the Bulge, had dinner there, watched the cadets in parade, and laid a wreath at the memorial in honor of those who had died.

Forging ahead, Stan then started a drive for funds to install a stained glass window in the chapel at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, as well as a standing monument in the parade grounds, as a reminder to all students who attended of the importance of the Battle of the Bulge. This window depicting G.I.’s in the Bulge was dedicated on the infamous 9/11/2001.

Among his other accomplishments, he worked with his Congressman for permission to have a larger monument for the Battle of the Bulge installed at Arlington Cemetery, where many wreaths have been laid over the years by members of VBOB, as well as by the Belgians and Luxembourgers. As a result of his close work with them, he was knighted by both Belgium and Luxembourg for his efforts in perpetuating the memory of the Battle. These two small countries show their continual gratitude for what our American soldiers did to free them from their German occupation in WWII.

With boundless energy, Stan kept his local chapter active, talked to schools, and always contributed in a multitude of ways. Stan served as the National President of VBOB for several terms (1995-97; 2006-07), and planned many National VBOB conventions. He was on the committee to erect the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. In later years, his efforts went to Wreaths Across America. His abilities were many. He left a legacy of accomplishments. He will be missed.

Read his full obituary http://articles.philly.com/2015-10-01/news/67015526_1_bulge-veteran-world-war-ii-battle

by Lou Cunningham, 106th Recon, National President VBOB 2001-03