The Columbus, GA Visitor and Convention Bureau donated a “paver” to honor the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge who held their reunion in Columbus from September 20-25, 2011. The “paver” was dedicated at the National Infantry Museum adjacent to Fort Benning on November 11, 2011
Veteran Harry Kirby salutes as the color guard from the Francis Marion Military Academy ROTC retires the colors during the Veterans Day Observance 2011 held at the College of Central Florida in Ocala, Fla., on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. The event was held to honor veterans who participated in the Veterans Project of Marion County, a joint program by the Ocala Star-Banner and the College of Central Florida.
by Jacqui Janetzko/Special to the Star-Banner
J. David Bailey, 106th Infantry Division and president of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge will be attending the Veterans Day National Ceremony to be held on November 11th at Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony commences precisely at 11:00 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknowns and continues inside the Memorial Amphitheater with a parade of colors by veterans’ organizations and remarks from dignitaries. The ceremony is intended to honor and thank all who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Click here for additional details from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs
VETERANS DAY, 2011
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
Today, our Nation comes together to honor our veterans and commemorate the legacy of profound service and sacrifice they have upheld in pursuit of a more perfect Union. Through their steadfast defense of America’s ideals, our service members have ensured our country still stands strong, our founding principles still shine, and nations around the world know the blessings of freedom. As we offer our sincere appreciation and respect to our veterans, to their families, to those who are still in harm’s way, and to those we have laid to rest, let us rededicate ourselves to serving them as well as they have served the United States of America.
Click here to read the full Presidential Proclamation
The PowerPoint presentation consists of 96 slides that include battlefield scenes, military cemeteries, insignias of the armies, corps, infantry divisions, airborne divisions, armored divisions and the two US Army air forces. In order to view the presentation your computer must have Power Point software.
Click here to download the PowerPoint presentation
If you do not have power point software you can download free power point readers from the web.
Michel Lorquet the teacher of class 4B at the St. Paul School in Liege, Belgium and his students have adopted several graves of US soldiers killed during the Battle of the Bulge.
Michel is an associate member of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and the 84th Infantry Division Association. Read his heart-warming letter addressed to the 84th Infantry Division Association.
On Wednesday, October 12, I participated in a Honor Flight that other members of the 80 Division Veterans Association might find interesting. The day started before dawn at Chicago Midway Airport. The veterans were greeted by Honor Flight volunteers, put in wheelchairs at the curb, if needed, and registered. A fully loaded plane then took off for Washington, D.C. Upon landing, we were greeted by the fire department with a fire hose spray and a group of military and civilians people.
We were put into buses and driven through Washington. First to the Air Force Memorial, had a breakfast box lunch and then back on the bus. We went, to Arlington National Cemetery. watched the changing of the guard and sang the National Anthem. We also saw the Vietnam Memorial and the Korean Memorial. Drove next to the WW II Memorial and watched another changing of the guard. It had been drizzling off and all day long, but ay this time it started to really pour. We then went to the National Air and Space Museum and then back to Dulles. We were given a dinner box lunch and entertained by volunteers with a 1940’s party. Amazingly, our volunteers pushed us in the wheelchairs and stayed with us until we went back on the plane.
Before landing we had another surprise arranged by the Chicago volunteers and our wives and kids! Mail Call. It consisted of letters from family and friends. Deplaning we were welcomed by active duty, reserve, and retired military. Finally meeting our families and friends in a special area .On a Wednesday night after 10 o’clock at night, there were over 3 thousand people there to greet us. It was indeed the parade and welcome we had never received in 1946. A very long day; but one of the best days of my life.
Col. Lionel J. Rothbard, USA Ret.
Company B, 305th Med. Bn.
587th Amb. Co.
Irving Locker, a resident of Florida, who served in the 116th AAA Gun Battalion, VII Corps, 1st Army during the Battle of the Bulge received this prestigious award earlier this year from the French Consulate of Miami, FL.
Irving’s story
Veterans who live in Florida can obtain details by clicking on the following links:
Application
Proposal
Veterans living outside Florida should contact their closest French Consulate for details. Consulates are located in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco and Washington DC.
The Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge at our 30th Annual Reunion were in for a treat! Our registration headquarters was the Hilton Garden Inn and upon arrival were given a wine and cheese reception. A spirit of comradeship soon followed and our organization made a special presentation to Ashley Woitena of the Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau, for her forbearing spirit in making our visit so worthwhile.
The Veterans and Associate Members of VBOB will cherish the memory of the wreath laying ceremony at Fort Benning, Georgia where an invocation was delivered to perpetuate the memory of the sacrifices made by by those who served during the Battle of the Bulge. Details of the wreath laying ceremony are included in Fort Benning’s newsletter, “The Bayonet” click-here
Fort Benning is well known as a self-sustaining military command and has served as Home of the Infantry since the early 20th century.
Located right outside Fort Benning’s gate we visited the National Infantry Museum and Soldiers’ Center — a Tribute to Heroes. Inside we found a plethora of exhibits including six galleries each representing a different era in Infantry history from the Revolutionary War to the desert wars. This Museum is well designed for self-guided tours and trained docents were stationed through the museum to direct us, answer our questions and enhance our experience.
We Visited the National Prisoner of War Museum, which tells the story of the prisoners of war throughout American history. Located at Andersonville, Georgia this site also includes the infamous Civil War Prison.
Probably the occasion we will most remember was when we departed from our hotel to the Little White House of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his Memorial Museum in Warms Springs, Georgia. We were escorted from our hotel by a large motorcycle brigade of the Patriot Guard of Georgia who stood at attention at the entrance way as we approached the Little White House. David Burke, interpretive park ranger, with the help of others arranged for a memorable day.
Georges A. Hoffman, Honorary Consul, Grand-Duche De Luxembourg and Colonel John W. King III, Commander, Ranger Training Brigade, Fort Benning were our guests at the banquet.
Looking back, travel and change of place imparted new vigor to the minds of we Veterans and Associate Members of VBOB.
article by J. David Bailey
photos by John Bowen
The following article appeared in the Shirley, MA Volunteer newspaper.
click-here
Join us in Washington DC from December 14- 16, 2011 to honor all who made the supreme sacrifice by attending wreath laying ceremonies at the World War II Memorial, VBOB Memorial and Tomb of the Unknowns, both located within Arlington Cemetery.
My name is Mike Smeets, 40 years of age and a (spare-time) historical researcher from the Netherlands. For many years already I have been studying the actions of the infamous Battle group Peiper and its US adversaries during the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944 – Jan. 1945. I have had the privilege to receive the support of many veterans from both sides, as well as civilian time-witnesses. I also visited the battlefield(s) numerous times as I live only about one hour drive by car from where it all happened. I heard and read the stories of courage, duress and horror and every time became more convinced that these stories should be preserved for the future and the sacrifices not forgotten.
I also adopted two graves at the US War cemetery at Henri-Chapelle, BE and visit them as often as possible. Although during the last few years several books were published who deal with the Northern front of the Bulge, it still is a somewhat forgotten chapter. For many Americans and Europeans Bastogne still stands synonymous for the US victory at the Bulge. In fact – the German push in the Northern sector was the most important one!! Krinkelt/Rocherath, Bullingen, Dom Butgenbach, Stavelot, La Gleize and Stoumont are only a few names where heavy battles to place and many lives lost!
I am aware that there are other researchers and authors who are also keeping the history alive and preserved for future generations. Please contact me if you can supply information about the battle at the above mentioned towns and villages against the German 1st and 12th SS Panzer divisions (also including the fights against these divisions in the southern sector at Lutrebois/Lutremagne/Losagne/Remonfosse/Saiwet and Hill 535). It would be very much appreciated!
Mike Smeets
Akkerwinde 27
6374 RD Landgraaf
THE NETHERLANDS
In recognition of the service to our country during World War II members of the Maryland/DC chapter will be seated at a locally sponsored table at the Veterans’ Muster, which will be held at Timonium Fairgrounds in Maryland on October 5 & 6, 2011.
See attached fliers for details.
My grandfather was PFC George Tammara who served in the 1st Infantry Division, 26th Infantry Regiment and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was later wounded and killed in Germany, probably after crossing at Remagen. He is buried in Delaware County, PA at Mt Lebanon Cemetery.
Please contact me if you knew my grandfather. I am local to the Philadelphia area and would like to get more information if possible to complete what I have researched so far.
Thank you very much
Randolph George Tammara
Telephone 215-880-8536
The photo above is that of the 38th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division exiting through the E-1 Draw from Easy Red.
The second soldier from the left is Bill Dudas 2nd Battalion, Company G
At the monthly May meeting, of the VBOB Picatinny Arsenal, NJ chapter #54, Nicholas Oresko the oldest living Medal Of Honor Recipient was honored by the chapter. Present at the meeting was the Post’s commanding officer. Brigadier General Jonathan A. Maddux to participate in honoring Mr. Oresko.
(from left): Brian Gillen, Chapter President; Nicholas Oresko, CMOH Recipient; BG Jonathan A. Maddux, Commander Picatinny Arsenal; Al Sussman, 106th Infantry Division
Nicholas Oresko who is 94 years old and in good spirits and physical condition, lives alone in an assisted living facility since the passing of his wife several years ago. Being 94 hasn’t stopped him from driving a large Lincoln sedan and having a lovely lady as a friend of many years. It was inspiring to be present to see a former Master Sergeant who fought in the Battle of the Bulge being honored by his combat comrades. Born in Bayonne, New Jersey on January 18, 1917, Nick Oresko enlisted in the Army and after basic training was sent to Europe in August 1944, two months after the Normandy landings as a platoon leader in Company C, 302nd Regiment of the 94th Infantry Division. In December, his division was deployed in support of other units forced to withdraw in the early days of the Battle of the Bulge. On January 23,1945, near Tettingen, Germany, Master Sergeant Oresko, platoon leader with Company C, they went in an attack against a strong enemy position. Deadly automatic fire from the flanks pinned down his unit. Realizing that a machine gun in a nearby bunker must be eliminated, he worked his way ahead alone, braving fire, which struck about him until he was close enough to throw a grenade into the German position. He rushed the bunker and with point blank rifle fire killed those occupants who survived the grenade blast. Another machine gun position opened fire on him, knocking him down and seriously wounding him in the hip. Refusing to withdraw, he placed himself at the head of his platoon to continue the assault. As withering machine gun and rifle fire swept the area, he struck out alone in advance of his men to a second bunker. With a grenade, he crippled the dug-in machinegun position and then wiped out the troops manning it with his rifle. Although weak from loss of blood, from four wounds, he refused to be evacuated until assured the mission was accomplished. M/Sgt. Oresko killed 12 Germans, preventing a delay in the assault and made it possible for Company C to obtain its objective with minimum casualties.
For his actions, he was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor nine months later, on October 30,1945 by President Harry Truman at the White House.
