Tag Archives: Bulge

New feature: Bulge monument of the week

Bulge Monuments, ,

We’re starting a new feature here on the BOBA web page. Every week, we’re going to make note of a Battle of the Bulge monument, in the US or overseas.

For the most part, these monuments are simple tributes to the American GI who fought in this campaign.

This week’s monument is located in Patton Park on the outskirts of Ettelbruck, Luxembourg. Ettelbruck was near the southeast corner of the Bulge and was the site of intense fighting between German forces and the 80th Division. This monument was erected in 1994 to mark the 50th anniversary of these events. It was erected by the Cercle D’Etudes Sur La Bataille Des Ardennes (CEBA) (“Circle of Studies of the Battle of the Bulge.”)

If you have a favorite Bulge monument, submit a photo and brief description for this feature. Send your information to boba.editor@gmail.com.

ID Requested: Ettelbruck 1944 Stained Glass Window

Bulge Monuments, News, ,

Speaking of stained glass windows, we came across this beauty when we visited 80th division sites in 2011. The legend “Ettelbruck 1944” suggests this is some sort of commemorative about the battle, but I couldn’t find anything to document that. Does anyone know where and why and by whom this stand glass window was installed? If you know, write boba.editor@gmail.com and you’ll be identified as this month’s “Bulge Expert” in the next edition of the Bugle.. Thanks.

Happy Birthday US Army

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Originally written by my friend, Stuart Dempsey, Hall of Fame caliber Gettysburg licensed guide and D Day/Bulge tour guide (https://www.battlegroundhistorytours.com).

HAPPY 248th BIRTHDAY TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized an American ‘Continental Army’ to be raised with troops from the thirteen colonies – soon to be states. The next day, Congress by unanimous vote appointed George Washington as the new army’s commander.

The image shown, by renowned military artist Don Troiani, portrays an enlisted man of that army, specifically the First Pennsylvania Battalion, as he would have appeared in 1776. Contrary to popular perception (which often has Continentals in blue uniform coats), brown was at least as common, and probably more so, particularly in the conflict’s early years.

The First Pennsylvania Battalion was raised for one year’s service, from late 1775 to late 1776. The unit served exclusively with the Northern Army on the Canadian front, from Quebec to Fort Ticonderoga. When the battalion mustered out, many of its members reenlisted in the new Second Pennsylvania Regiment, a unit that would go on to fight at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, and – in reorganized form – at the final victory at Yorktown in 1781.

On this day, we honor the men and women who have served in the US Army’s ranks for the last 248 years.