17 Dec 2004 Bastogne Remembers Battle of the Bulge
Speaking of the Philadelphia Inquirer, there was a nice AP story in it Sunday about the people of Bastogne, Belgium, and their continuing friendship with the United States.
The story begins:
To find the city hall in Bastogne, walk past the White House Hotel, cross Gen. McAuliffe square, turn at the Dakota Cafe, and it’s the building on the right flying the Stars and Stripes, just before you reach Rue de l’American Legion.
For 60 years, this rural town in southeast Belgium has been tied to the United States by bonds forged in the fire and fury of the Battle of the Bulge, when the locals and their American defenders stood in the path of a German onslaught during the bitter winter of 1944.
“Bastogne has never stopped its friendship with the American people,” Mayor Philippe Collard told dignitaries from the U.S. Embassy on a visit to prepare this year’s anniversary. “In Bastogne, you are at home.”
That friendship shows no sign of waning despite the passing of time…
While some neighboring towns called a halt to their World War II remembrance ceremonies after the 50th anniversary in 1994, Bastogne had a yearlong program of commemoration that culminates this month with parades, a night vigil, and a major exhibition designed to give new generations insight into one of America’s biggest and bloodiest battles of the war.
Bastogne was the key turning point in the Battle of the Bulge…
Read it all here.