H.R.H. Prince Philippe and H.R.H. Princess Mathilde of Belgium, and Major General Michael S. Linnington, Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region participated in a wreath laying ceremony at the Battle of the Bulge Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery on Sunday, June 26, 2011. The event honored the fallen heroes in America’s largest land battle in history.

The Crown Prince and Princess spoke individually to all Bulge veterans present in recognition of their service to their country and Belgium during World War II. The Prince, the next heir to the throne, was very cordial and warmhearted in his remarks to the Veterans and responsive to their comments.

We at VBOB were indeed pleased at our large representation of Veterans and Associate Members of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge along with their friends and family who also attended this special event.

Also present for the ceremony were H.E. Steven Vanackere, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium, Ambassador and Mrs. Jan Matthysen, Military Attaché Mike Delobel and other Belgium dignitaries.

The Prince and Princess participated in a public wreath ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns prior to the commemorative event at the Battle of the Bulge Monument in Section 21 of Arlington Cemetery.

The royal couple came to Washington with a delegation of 300 Belgian business men to help create investment and trade for Belgium. The princess married into the royal family in 1999 and now lives the life of a modern monarch, raising four children, embracing causes, and preparing to be queen one day.

We at VBOB are indeed proud to have this famous young couple as our friends.

J. David Bailey, National President, VBOB

The following photos were submitted by Robert Rhodes.

The Golden Gate Chapter held their Memorial Service on December 11, 2010 at the Fort Miley (SFVA Medical Center) in San Francisco, CA.

(Standing left to right) Martin Turkington, Honorable George Schmit (Luxembourg), Doris Davis, John P. Althuizen, Warren Jensen, Dean Woo, William Armstrong, John H. Rousch, Dame Rita Bral (Belgium), Tom Morgan, John Vassalo
(Seated left to right) Russell Hardeman, Mort Tallen, May Alm, Bob Bee, George Shilla

Interview: Survivor of the Battle of the Bulge
by Anna Davis

I have always been intrigued by the people who lived through and survived World War II. I enjoy watching the HBO series “The Band of Brothers” directed by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. A particular battle that was life threatening for many American troops was the “Battle of the Bulge.” This particular battle took place in Belgium and included 52 days of combat. The troops who fought during this battle were not properly equipped for the weather and the temperatures were extremely cold. I wanted to know the details about the conditions of the “Battle of the Bulge.”

I casually know a man who attends my church named Richard Hugh Wheeler. Every Sunday, he is the gentleman who greets and opens the doors for everyone. By purely looking at his physical appearance, I would have never guessed he was 86 and a WWII veteran. When I learned he actually survived the “Battle of the Bulge,” I knew he was the perfect candidate for my interview. When I asked if he would oblige me, he was very enthusiastic. Mr. Wheeler was a credible source because he was a participant in this renowned event and lived through a very challenging time period. The interview took place in person on March 3, 2011 at the Wheeler residence.

The first couple of questions I asked Mr. Wheeler were background questions to lead up to the “Battle of the Bulge.” I wanted to know prior experience, skills, and the branch of the army he served. He told me he was 20 to 21 years old during the war. Mr. Wheeler was a trained paratrooper with a total of nine jumps, one into combat. He chose to be a paratrooper because it paid $60 more per month than other positions. Mr. Wheeler said his mother specifically told him not to be a paratrooper, but he became one In spite of her request. Mr. Wheeler was in seven battles including the “Battle of the Bulge.” He received a battle star for each of the seven.

Mr. Wheeler was in the Ardennes Forest during the “Battle of the Bulge,” and I wanted to know about the conditions of the Ardennes and what part of the battle he experienced. Specifics were important to me, so I could make a mental picture. He began by telling me that there were 52 total days in the battle, but his platoon was only there for thirty six. However, those 36 days were the most difficult days compared to any other combat Mr. Wheeler experienced. For the entire 36 days, the troops were outside. December of 1944 is still on record as one of the coldest winters in Europe’s recorded history.

The average temperature ranged from 10 to 20 degrees below zero. All the men were without winter clothing; Mr. Wheeler was only in his jump gear. It is beyond my imagination to think about how cold it was. Also, Mr. Wheeler did not have any gloves even when there was snow on the ground. Somehow during this time, Mr. Wheeler manage to save all his extremities. He still suffers from frostbite damage today, but it is his interior circulation that is the reminder. Everyone slept in “fox holes” which the troops dug with their personal shovels. These holes were not works of art; they were about 18″ by 20″ and just deep enough to crouch in. There was no wandering around and talking to friends. A person spoke when spoken to, advanced when commanded, and did not even sleep until told to do so. Mr. Wheeler was not even allowed to make a fire, or else the enemy would spot him. For all 36 days, Mr. Wheeler barely slept at all. Most of the time all he did was move forward and dig more fox holes, and fire at an often unseen enemy.

Next, I asked Mr. Wheeler about his hygiene. He only had one pair of clothes at the battle, and he slept in a dirt hole. I wondered if he ever bathed. Mr. Wheeler said only once did the group shower in 36 days, and that it was against his will. One of the men in Mr. Wheeler’s company had an Infection called scabies. Everyone was commanded to shower. There were showers set up outside and everyone had to strip down completely. The temperature was still ten below. Mr. Wheeler said “that was when I thought I was going to die.” Showering was not worth it in the intense cold. The men got their clothes washed, but not dried. I asked him how he managed to get his clothes dry in the extreme cold. He said you just had to lay on them over night.

I was curious to whether Mr. Wheeler was ever without food. Among all the discomforts of being cold and dirty, hunger was not an issue. He was always supplied with “K” or “C” rations. Both of these are bundles of food that provide three daily meals. The letters do not stand for anything, they are just the letters of the alphabet. Mr. Wheeler was not supplied with gourmet hot steaming food, but he was not hungry.

When I asked Mr. Wheeler how he had been able to survive the bitter cold and uncomfortable sleeping conditions, he said his basic training prepared him well. With a lot of discipline, and learning not to complain, he was suited for the roughest of situations.

After talking to Mr. Richard Wheeler, I have a much better understanding about what WWII veterans went through. I was mortified to think about the cold, and everyone’s personal hygiene. Mr. Wheeler also mentioned a story of a fellow soldier who urinated in his fox hole. The next morning, his legs were frozen to the ground. I respect Mr. Wheeler’s ability to live through the conditions he described. Overall, I felt my interview with Mr. Wheeler really helped my search and elevated my personal opinion about WWII veterans. I greatly appreciate the time Mr. Wheeler dedicated to me and all the information he was willing to supply.

Linda Rea, daughter of William Rea, who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, flew home in April to surprise her Father. She enrolled him as a Member of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, (VBOB), she herself joined as an Associate Member. She gave her father a Battle of the Bulge lanyard medallion along with eight other medals from WWII including the Soldiers Medal. In addition Linda made arrangements for Senator Mike Fasano of Florida to present her father with a Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge certificate.

Later on Linda and her father visited with Jack Ness, another veteran, of that horrific battle and William presented Jack with a Battle of the Bulge lanyard medallion.
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Frederick Desmet, a Belgium citizen has adopted the grave of Wayne L. Shumate, a United State’s soldier who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Frederick is one of many Belgium citizens who pay homage to their fallen heroes. Every year these goodwill ambassadors visit the site of their adopted grave to show appreciation for their liberation from tyranny.

Members of the Belgian 5^th Fusiliers and many other Belgium citizens pay their respects at the Henri Chapelle Cemetery, Belgium on Memorial Day. Carrying the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge Flag are from left to right: Robert Lemaire, Marcel D’Haese & Jean Bartet. Christian Jacob is carrying the “A” flag.

Information submitted by Henri Rogister

Hundreds of citizens from Coventry, England attended a memorial service for Franklin Delano Roosevelt on April 13, 1945. The service was held in the ruins of the Coventry Cathedral, which was destroyed by a German bombing raid in 1940. US soldiers honored their president with an honor guard and gun salute.

In the above photo the sixth soldier from the right is Chester P. “Buck” Sloan, 2^nd Infantry Division, 38^th Infantry Regiment, 1^st Battalion, Company B.

I live in Erie, PA and am a member of a World War II re-enactor group: the 99^th Infantry Division, 393^rd Regiment, Easy Company. This group was formed in 1999; I joined them in 2003. The actual 99^th first saw action in World War II at Elsenborn Ridge in Belgium in December 1944. Their nickname is “Battle Babies.” As a replacement, I was sent to the 7th Armored Division in France in September 1944. I was with the 7^th Division until June 1945. After a couple of real close calls – one with “Screamin’ Meemies” in Holland and one at Manhay, Belgium, on Dec. 24^th, 1944. I earned five battle stars during my tour with the 7^th. I was transferred to the 2^nd Armored Division for occupation duty and was discharged in Pennsylvania on Dec. 30^th 1945. I can still wear my Class A uniform from 1945.1 wore that in my first parade with the 99^th re-enactors in 2003. The younger ones were concerned about me at first but found that I could keep up with them. I had to get another uniform for field duty and all the rest of the military gear. I also collect items for our “Living History” displays that we do for different groups. In our group, we have two jeeps, a member with a .30 cal. machine gun and another who has a B.A.R. Our group participated in several battle re-enactments. My favorite re-enactment was one near Detroit in which there were five battles and plenty of American and German World War II vehicles. In 2006 and 2007, we hosted in Dunkirk, N.Y., battles re-enacting the raid on Dieppe, France, and the landing on Utah Beach. In 2009, the 99^th hosted our first “Bridge at Remagen” battle re-enactment at Tidioute, PA on the Allegheny River.