Upcoming visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery...

[Beemerguy53]

On December 26, I will fly to Germany to start an 18-day vacation. (What can I say? I love winter and cold weather! )

At some point during my first week there -- probably on January 2 -- I plan to visit the Luxembourg American Cemetery, and pay my respects to the 5,070 Americans buried there, most of whom were killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge, which was taking place 76 years ago this time. I'll also visit Bastogne, Belgium, where the 101st Airborne held off the Wehrmacht, and General McAuliffe refused to surrender.

If you have a relative buried at Luxembourg, please post his name, and I will be sure to stop at that grave and leave a coin or pebble on it for you.

 

[pharman]

Very nice of you to do this...

Hi Beemerguy...this is very nice of you to do this...several years ago you visited and paid respects to my Uncle Bill's grave in Belgium...I am very grateful for what you did for me and my family...I will never forget your kindness...Thank you again...Roger

 

[Greyman50]

Visit St Vith and the Elsenborne Ridge, few " overlooked" very important places for a Bulge visit. Read MacDonalds" A Time for Trumpets", best book on the Bulge.

 

[bigwheelzip]

That's a very kind offer. I don't know if all the American Cemeteries in Europe do it, but the administrator of the Somme American Cemetery said they maintain an archive of mementos left for the fallen. I accepted his offer to add the letter I was reading to the fallen soldier to it.

It's good that you like winter. There's a damp, overcast, bone-chilling depth to winter cold in that region. Have a great vacation and post pictures.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Visited it in 1971 when I was stationed in Germany.Patton is buried there.

 

[16thVACav]

Nuts!!!!!!

 

[Beemerguy53]

Nuts!!!!!!

The main square in Bastogne is named for General McAuliffe...

 

[DWalt]

If you have the time and interest, this is well worth reading.
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA211724.pdf

 

[Beemerguy53]

Visited it in 1971 when I was stationed in Germany.Patton is buried there.

He faces his troops...

 

[Beemerguy53]

That's a very kind offer. I don't know if all the American Cemeteries in Europe do it, but the administrator of the Somme American Cemetery said they maintain an archive of mementos left for the fallen. I accepted his offer to add the letter I was reading to the fallen soldier to it.

It's good that you like winter. There's a damp, overcast, bone-chilling depth to winter cold in that region. Have a great vacation and post pictures.

You've described the winters in that part of the world perfectly. It is indeed very cold, but there's always hot coffee and warm strudel available... And the landscape is just gorgeous in the snow.

I've been to the Luxembourg American Cemetery three times previously. I don't have any relatives buried there, but I think it's my obligation, as an American, to pay my respects to my countrymen who gave their lives to liberate Europe from the grip of fascism.

Thanks for your kind words...I will indeed post photos...

 

[Beemerguy53]

Well, the planned vacation that prompted me to create this thread had to be postponed due to the Covid restrictions in effect last winter...but the good news is that I'll be leaving this coming Wednesday for my trip.

I still plan to visit the Luxembourg American Memorial and Cemetery...if anyone here has someone special buried there, let me know, and I will pay my respects.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Bon voyage!!
Have a bite of strudel for me, and keep an eye peeled for member Fuch, bending an elbow with those good Belgian beers.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[Rudi]

It will be a fantastic trip. But your eyes might sweat a bit. Have not been to those, but others. So many names from all sides. Each village in Germany had a memorial to the fallen in both wars. France remembers. England too. Tough people then, miss them, few left.