In 1945, when World War 2 ended in Europe, thousands of brave, Young American soldiers were buried in cemeteries across Europe. Buried in foreign soil without any family attending their funeral.

Captain Joseph Shomon, who was in charge of the 611th Graves Registration Company, and his men had the task to bury American soldiers at the American Military Cemetery in Margraten The Netherlands. When they were finished, more than 17,000 Americans were buried there. Captain Shomon asked a local office worker if it was possible to look after the graves of the more than 17,000 American graves there. The Americans were going home again. That’s when the idea for an adoption program came to mind by this man.

Within a couple of months all 17,000 graves were adopted. People were bringing flowers to the cemetery and placing them on the grave of a soldier whose grave they had adopted.

In 1948 more than 8,000 bodies were repatriated to the United States. Now there are 8,301 American soldiers buried in Margraten. The adoption program still stands, and all graves are adopted. There are 1,722 names of men on the Wall of the Missing. All names have been adopted as well. There is even a waiting list for people who want to adopt a grave, or a name on the Wall of Missing.

It is an honor for people to adopt a grave and bring flowers to it on several occasions. During Memorial Day, Christmas and Easter there are lots of flowers decorating the American cemetery. In Europe, we don’t want to forget what these men did for our freedom—they paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The adoption program started in Margraten, The Netherlands. It is now also possible to adopt graves at the American cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Neuville-en-Condroz (both Belgium) and in Normandy (OMAHA-Beach). Thousands of graves have been adopted at all these cemeteries. All over Europe, people want to express their thanks for those who gave their lives so we can live in peace.

Lots of Americans are unaware of this. We don’t do this to get a thank you from Americans. We want the people to say thank you to the veterans and those who didn’t come home. They are all heroes to us. It is the least we can do for those men.

Last year, a group of enthusiastic Dutch people organized “The faces of Margraten”. They are trying to find a picture of every soldier who is buried in Margraten. Within a year they collected more than 3,000 pictures. It seems easy but it is very, very difficult to find pictures of these soldiers. If anyone can help locate pictures, it would be highly appreciated. You can find more information on their website: www.fieldsofhonor-database.com.

I would like to end this by saying thank you to everyone who fought for our freedom.
Lest we forget!
by Frank Gubbels, Associate, The Netherlands

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Passionate about collecting the history of the 82nd 
Airborne, I found a jumpsuit model 1942 that belonged to Edward L Mokan, the 504th PIR, at Cheneux in the Ardennes. In 2002 I learned that he was dead.

Belgium, meanwhile, was authorizing the adoption of American soldiers’ graves, so I wrote a letter to the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, to ask if it was possible to adopt the grave of a paratrooper from the 82nd Airborne, 504th PIR.

Two weeks later, I received a letter from the Henri-Chapelle cemetery giving me the name Francis L. Allen. A few days later I went to visit and adorn his grave. Subsequently, I received a certificate of adoption from Belgium.

by Bruno Pollet, Associate, Belgium

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VBOB is honoring those fine citizens in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands who adopt the graves of our Battle of the Bulge soldiers, by sending them a VBOB certificate of gratitude. Please send the name, mailing address and e-mail of the grave caretaker and the name [and service unit if known] of the Battle of the Bulge soldier.
Send the information to: VBOB, PO Box 27430, Philadelphia, PA 19118.

Contact: tracey@battleofthebulge.org
703-528-4058.

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

Duncan T. Trueman Chapter #57 President Elliot S. Hermon reports that their meeting in May was an outstanding success.

“The turnout was another fairly large one, and although our guest speaker, Lieutenant Colonel Jack H. Moore, US Army (Ret), the Senior Army Instructor at the US Army JROTC at Washingtonville Senior High School, was unable to join us as promised, four of his cadets did come, and provided a terrific slide show presentation on their many cadet activities.

Leading the presentation was Cadet Lt Col Valentin Olingheru, the Washingtonville Sr High School Jr ROTC battalion Commander, ably assisted by Cadet Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Sheboy, Cadet Command Sgt. Major Corey Lisa and Cadet Corporal Jonathan Matsler.”

ROTC Cadets from Washingtonville High School spoke about their activities at the Duncan T. Trueman Chapter #59, Battle of the Bulge Veterans Luncheon on May 21, 2015 at Birchwood Caterers in Monroe, NY.

Photos courtesy Ginny Privitar

Dear Fellow Patriot,

This week marks the 71st anniversary of the end of the Battle of the Bulge – Hitler’s month-long final offensive of the Second World War. The Battle was crucial to the Allied effort on the Western front, and would help pave the way for victory, if successful. Among the Allies fighting through the Ardennes region was Lt. Col. Alfred Shehab of the U.S. Army’s 38th Cavalry Squadron. You may not have heard his name, but after hearing of his service, you won’t soon forget.

Lt. Col. Shehab was assigned to the 38th Cavalry Squadron, a reconnaissance unit tasked with patrolling the forests of the Ardennes region when the battle broke out on December 16, 1944. In addition to heavy fighting, Lt. Col. Shehab and his men endured several feet of snow throughout the campaign, continuing to advance in the brutal cold.

The battle saw over 80,000 American casualties – something that Alfred Shehab recognizes as “the cost of liberty.” Lt. Col. Shehab and veterans like him are the backbone of our great country. It is their fortitude and courage that have built our nation.

It is crucial that the stories of these veterans be passed on for generations to come and the American Veterans Center sets out to do just that. The American Veterans Center works rigorously to guard the legacies and honor the sacrifices of all American veterans. By doing so, we ensure that these extraordinary people and firsthand accounts of history will never be forgotten.

We look forward to sharing more stories like Shehab’s with you in the future. Be on the lookout for more heroic stories to come featuring American heroes such as the veterans of the 761st Tank Battalion. And don’t forget to check out Alfred Shehab’s story following this link.

Best Regards,
James C. Roberts, President

Read the tribute to our World War II veterans

View the video

submitted by Rebecca Fowler
Secretary, Treasurer VBOB RMC

Included is a photo from last month’s Chapter 68 71st VBOB Remembrance Ceremony in Westerville, Ohio on December 19, 2015. Included in the photo from left to right is: Veteran Marshall Mowrey (one of the original founding members of Chapter 68) with the 666th Field Artillery Battery C; Ruth and Robert Lynam, who’s brother was killed in the Battle of the Bulge with the 17th Airborne; and Ed Leibbrand with the 110th Regiment, Co. B., 28th Infantry Division, who was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and became a POW.

 submitted by Tom Tomastik, President and Associate Member VBOB Chapter 68

Fred Faulkner, 3257th Signal Service Company wrote this marvelous music to commemorate the Battle of the Bulge. Sounds like John Sousa, and Fred integrated “Taps” into the piece.

https://youtu.be/iwO4fo-Q9OI

Read about the battle

Submitted by Tom Mountz, Associate

On every December 16, for over 20 years, the West Michigan Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge gather for an annual supper. Although the Chapter’s roster is down to four Veterans from over thirty the four Veterans were honored by eighteen friends and family.

Chapter President Richard Rizzio spoke emotionally, with humility and deep appreciation of the Bulge Veterans that died in Europe. Bulge Veterans founding President Maury Cole, Charlie Lewis, and Roland Sayer enjoyed the special event. The age range is from 90 to 97, and all are looking forward to the annual event in 2016.

Standing (l-r): Maury Cole, founding President; Richard Rizzio, current President, and Charlie Lewis. Seated Roland Sayers

Story and photo submitted by Tom Mountz, Associate

South Carolina Chapter members Leif Maseng, Chris Carawan, Vern Brantley, Joe Watson, Gerald White, and Dave Hubbard were guests of General Lloyd J Austin, III, Commanding General of United States Central Command, at the change of command ceremony of United States Army Central. Lieutenant General Michael X Garrett assumed command from retiring Lieutenant General James L Terry at the 17 November ceremony at Patton Hall, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. US Army Central is the modern designation of the legendary Third Army, best known for its exploits under General George S Patton in Europe during World War II. US Army Central is heavily involved in operations in their 27 nation area of responsibility including Afghanistan and Iraq. The impressive change of command ceremony was followed by a reception in Patton Hall.

(l-r) VBOB Members Leif Maseng 17 ABND, Chris Carawan 106 INFD, Vern Brantley 75 INFD, Joe Watson 75 INFD, Gerald White 2 INFD, and Dave Hubbard HQ ADV SECT COMM ZONE SIG at the 17 November ceremony at Patton Hall, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina

SC Chapter Members Honored at Halftime

The University of South Carolina’s Veterans Salute at halftime of the 21 November USC-Citadel Game featured several veterans including Major General Jim Chow, Major General Steve Seigfried (associate member of the South Carolina Chapter), Command sergeant Major William D Hain, Chief Warrant Officer Perry Hopkins, and South Carolina Chapter members PFC Leif Maseng and PFC Vern Brantley. Each veteran was presented with a game ball by University President Harris Pastides, Athletic Director Ray Tanner, and Congressman Joe Wilson at halftime and  were the guest of Coach Tanner during the game. They were prominently featured on the scoreboard and were greeted with thunderous applause from those in attendance.

J. David Bailey, past VBOB president attended the breakfast hosted by the President on Veterans Day, November 11, 2015.

click here to read letter from City of Stamford, CT

Watch the parade