Battle of the Bulge - Commemoration of the 79th anniversary at Arlington National Cemetery

Six veterans who took part 79 years ago in the gruesome battle in the Ardennes joined this year’s commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge at Arlington National Cemetery: Darryl Bush, Joe Landry, David Bailey, Benjamin Berry, Jake Ruser and Andy Valero. Their presence added solemness and meaning to a beautiful and moving ceremony. Their stories and memories of the bittercold months in the snowy and hilly Ardennes were a powerful reminder of the horrors and hardships of the war.

Ambassador Nicole Bintner-Bakshian and Consul Frank Biever joined by Belgium’s Deputy Chief of Mission Sophie Karlshausen, and Battle of the Bulge Association President Steve Landry, to lay a wreath at the Battle of the Bulge monument.

Ambassador Bintner-Bakshian expressed Luxembourg’s profound gratitude to the U.S. veterans who played a pivotal role in the country's liberation, emphasizing the Grand Duchy’s enduring friendship with the American people. She also added that this bravery and perseverance will not be forgotten! Luxembourgers of all generations will always remember the sacrifices of the American people and many of its young soldiers to free Luxembourg twice from foreign oppression during the last century.

The Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg

The Battle of the Bulge, one of the largest and most intricate conflicts of World War II, unfolded amid the harsh conditions of a brutal winter in the Ardennes region of Belgium and Luxembourg from December 1944 to January 1945. This battle led to the liberation of Luxembourg from German occupation by US General Patton and his Third Army, commemorated by a monument in Ettelbruck (Luxembourg). However, the victory came at a significant cost; it stands as the largest and bloodiest single battle fought by the United States in World War II and ranks as the third-deadliest campaign in American history. The Battle of the Bulge continues to hold a crucial place in Luxembourg's collective memory, with numerous memorials and museums scattered across the landscape, including the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch and the Battle of the Bulge Museum in Wiltz, as well as local memorials commemorating downed allied aircraft and significant battles, such as the National Liberation Museum at 'Schumanns-Eck.'

About the Battle of the Bulge Association

Established in 1981 by a group of Battle of the Bulge veterans, this organization serves as a vital and cherished partner in preserving the memory of the sacrifices made during the battle. It is dedicated to safeguarding historical data and sites related to the conflict, fostering friendship among Battle of the Bulge veterans, their relatives, and other enthusiasts through annual events and commemorations.