Posted on Dec 14, 2015
Have you seen how the Battle of the Bulge veterans keep memory alive, pass ceremony to next generation?
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Have you seen how the Battle of the Bulge veterans keep memory alive, pass ceremony to next generation?
RP Members there has been several posts on the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge anniversary, but Veterans of the battle used to have their own organization in Westmoreland County, but it was disbanded about two years ago because of a lack of members.
The group's remaining funds were given to Greensburg's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 to continue the tradition of holding a ceremony each year at the memorial.
“Them guys started dying off, and the VFW said they'd take it over, and they'd always do it,” said Joe Frank, a member of the VFW Honor Guard. “We're always going to do it, every year.”
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/battle-of-the-bulge-veterans-keep-memory-alive-pass-ceremony-to-next-generation-1.383917
Joseph A. Folino wore a crisp Army uniform and shiny black shoes as he placed a wreath by the Battle of the Bulge memorial Saturday at the National Guard Armory on Donohoe Road in Hempfield.
He has stood there many times before to commemorate the anniversary of one of World War II's most ferocious encounters. He used to be surrounded by dozens of his brothers in arms during these ceremonies, but on Saturday only two other veterans of the battle stood beside him.
“So many have passed on. There's nobody left. There's only about three of us,” he said.
RP Members there has been several posts on the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge anniversary, but Veterans of the battle used to have their own organization in Westmoreland County, but it was disbanded about two years ago because of a lack of members.
The group's remaining funds were given to Greensburg's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 to continue the tradition of holding a ceremony each year at the memorial.
“Them guys started dying off, and the VFW said they'd take it over, and they'd always do it,” said Joe Frank, a member of the VFW Honor Guard. “We're always going to do it, every year.”
http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/battle-of-the-bulge-veterans-keep-memory-alive-pass-ceremony-to-next-generation-1.383917
Joseph A. Folino wore a crisp Army uniform and shiny black shoes as he placed a wreath by the Battle of the Bulge memorial Saturday at the National Guard Armory on Donohoe Road in Hempfield.
He has stood there many times before to commemorate the anniversary of one of World War II's most ferocious encounters. He used to be surrounded by dozens of his brothers in arms during these ceremonies, but on Saturday only two other veterans of the battle stood beside him.
“So many have passed on. There's nobody left. There's only about three of us,” he said.
WWII World War Two
Memories
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 10
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Very cool for the VFW to keep this tradition rolling along, as it was just getting too difficult for the few old men left to do on their own.
My grandfather was there at the Bulge, leading his battalion of panzers on the far right flank of the advance. He didn't talk about the war much, but he was proud of that attack, having met all of his unit's objectives. They were forced to retreat on foot, when expected seizures of supplies along the way failed to materialized and they ran out of fuel.
My grandfather was there at the Bulge, leading his battalion of panzers on the far right flank of the advance. He didn't talk about the war much, but he was proud of that attack, having met all of his unit's objectives. They were forced to retreat on foot, when expected seizures of supplies along the way failed to materialized and they ran out of fuel.
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I love collecting the stories of veterans. All have provided grist for my story mill. A couple of veterans from the Battle of the Bulge inspired "The Ghosts of Christmas Past"
http://www.jackdurish.com/7/post/2014/05/ghosts-of-christmas-past.html
It's been a while since I wrote this and a question occurred as I reread it just now: What ghosts haunt us? I have many. Have you?
http://www.jackdurish.com/7/post/2014/05/ghosts-of-christmas-past.html
It's been a while since I wrote this and a question occurred as I reread it just now: What ghosts haunt us? I have many. Have you?
THE BLANKET FELL, one crystal at a time whispering in the dark. Like nature’s cosmetologist, it smoothed every wrinkle and hid every blemish. Peace reigned, if only for a moment, and the deepest...
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
CPT Jack Durish This is awesome. I'm going to share with some of my contacts on RallyPoint. SGT (Join to see) TSgt Hunter Logan COL Charles Williams LTC Stephen C. LTC Stephen F. CW4 (Join to see) CW3 (Join to see) SGM (Join to see) SSG Ryan Rodney CPT (Join to see) SSgt (Join to see) CW3 Kevin Storm CMSgt Mark Schubert PO2 Mark Saffell LTC John Shaw TSgt (Join to see) SFC Mark Merino CH (MAJ) William Beaver WO1 (Join to see)
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Check out the Link above from CPT Jack Durish - great postMAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca SFC Mark Merino SGM Steve Wettstein SSG Carlos MaddenCH (MAJ) William Beaver PVT James Strait Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS COL Ted Mc SMSgt Tony Barnes CSM Michael J. Uhlig MAJ Ken Landgren PO1 John Miller SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SN Greg Wright SGT Ben Keen Sgt Kelli Mays SGT (Join to see) PO2 Jonathan Vasquez
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Thanks for sharing. It's awesome that the VFW is doing this. This is another reason for me to start becoming active in my local chapter (I am a lifetime member after all, LOL).
This reminds me of Sons of the American Revolution. Obviously there are no survivors of that war, so these men carry on the tradition.
Thanks for sharing. It's awesome that the VFW is doing this. This is another reason for me to start becoming active in my local chapter (I am a lifetime member after all, LOL).
This reminds me of Sons of the American Revolution. Obviously there are no survivors of that war, so these men carry on the tradition.
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Unfortunately, as time marches on we are losing America's Greatest Generation at an ever increasing pace. I'm proud to see the VFW commit to continuing this ceremony long term.
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My Uncle was in the Battle of the Bulge. He was as tough as they come, and a really good guy. He has since passed, but I can still remember him showing me some of his military items that were treasures to him.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs An honor for the Greensburg's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 33 to continue this ceremony and remembrance.
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AS a student of history I have been interested in the battles which took place ion and around the Argonne Forrest including the Ballet of the Bulge for a long time COL Mikel J. Burroughs. So many stories and anecdotes have come forth from the battle including MG Anthony McAuliffe'S reply of "Nuts" to General von Lüttwitz's ultimatum.
I am glad the Battle of the Bulge veterans are helping to keep alive the memory of that battle among other veterans. Historians, those who to read about heroic exploits from Homer through Afghanistan and movie watchers will remember the battle of the Bulge.
I am glad the Battle of the Bulge veterans are helping to keep alive the memory of that battle among other veterans. Historians, those who to read about heroic exploits from Homer through Afghanistan and movie watchers will remember the battle of the Bulge.
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"Have you seen how the Battle of the Bulge veterans keep memory alive, pass ceremony to next generation?"
A lot of drinking and acting out, right? I read somewhere that some of the vets reunions back in the '50s were extremely wild and risque.
Walt
A lot of drinking and acting out, right? I read somewhere that some of the vets reunions back in the '50s were extremely wild and risque.
Walt
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Several pretty good movies about this last push by Germany. One of the best has Henry Fonda. Not sure the need for gas for Germany was accurate but it made for a good movie.
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