52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
12/16/2014 - BASTOGNE, Belgium -- More than 40,000 American and European citizens honored the service and legacy of more than 40 surviving World War II veterans as part of a 70th anniversary celebration of the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 13, 2014.
The veterans, who served in the six-week long and costliest campaign in U.S. Army history, received special recognition from Belgian and American distinguished visitors including King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium; Charles Michel, Belgian prime minister; U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe commander; and Thomas Nides, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources and head of the U.S. presidential delegation.
"Just as in the case of 1944 and 1945, there is no better representative of the people of the United States of America than these veterans," said U.S. President Barack Obama in a letter read by Nides. "Our returning veterans are a testament to the American spirit and to our enduring bonds with Belgium. In the streets of Bastogne, Americans and Belgians fought and gave their lives to defend Belgium and liberate Europe. Their shared sacrifices shall never be forgotten."
As part of the day's ceremony, King Philippe laid a wreath at the statue of U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe, who served as the American commander of Bastogne Barracks in the winter of 1944-1945. The king and queen also threw nuts off of a balcony to a crowd below as part of a tradition inspired by McAuliffe's reply of 'Nuts!' to Axis demands that his forces surrender at Bastogne Barracks, Dec. 22, 1944.
"The most important message is to say thank you for coming here," Michel said. "It's very important for us to commemorate this moment and also an occasion for us to see how democracy and peace is very important. It's a very important moment for Belgium."
Throughout the city, Belgians donned vintage World War II American Army uniforms and drove antique military vehicles, giving the city the appearance it had during the siege of Bastogne, even aided by the snowy weather.
"It's emotional to be back," said Victor Cross, former U.S. Army infantryman with the 87th Infantry Division and Flint, Michigan, native. "I wanted to come back for one main reason, originally: I wanted to see what it was going to be like after they put it all together again. I figured they'd probably do the same architecture and same structures would be arranged in the cities and the streets and the buildings -- I wanted to see that. And there were people in the streets, and they were walking and enjoying themselves, they built these outside cafes and people were sitting in them, and that's what I really wanted."
Cross and his fellow veterans toured cities around the Ardennes region that held or are scheduled to conduct memorial ceremonies honoring their sacrifices and contributions leading to the liberation from occupying forces.
"On this 70th anniversary, Americans and Belgians continue to stand together as close friends and allies, not only in remembrance of those who've lost, but in gratitude for the world they helped to create," continued Obama's letter. "Out of the ashes of World War II rose a new Europe and a transatlantic community grounded in democratic values embracing allies and former foes alike. Together, we've forged the strongest alliance in the history of the world. ... may future generations long remember and cherish the legacy that we commemorate on this historic occasion."
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