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CHIÈVRES, Belgium, Dec. 1, 2009 – Sixty-five years after World War II's landmark Battle of the Bulge, U.S. and Belgian troops will again march side by side in Bastogne on Dec. 12 and 13. Veterans and servicemembers from both nations are scheduled to join thousands of well-wishers, including town officials, dignitaries and local residents, in commemorating the Allied forces' victory in the famous World War II battle. "The traditional carnival-like atmosphere in Bastogne over the weekend celebrates the historic grit and determination of our two nations' veterans 65 years ago, and the solemn ceremony at the Mardasson Memorial overlooking the...

His death was announced by his family. Kinnard parachuted into Normandy in the first hours of D-Day. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during Operation Market Garden, the airborne attack in the German-occupied Netherlands. And he helped pioneer the airmobile concept, sending troops into combat aboard helicopters during the Vietnam War. But he was perhaps best remembered for what happened in December 1944 at the Belgian town of Bastogne, where the 101st Airborne Division, short on clothing and boots in a snowstorm and bitter cold, was surrounded by German troops. Bastogne, at the intersection of important roads, was...

Battle of the Bulge Newsreel http://www.army.mil/botb/newsreel.html The Battle of the Bulge: Sixty-Three Years Ago Courtesy The United States Army Center of Military History Early on the misty winter morning of 16 December 1944, over 200,000 German troops and nearly 1,000 tanks launched Adolf Hitler's last bid to reverse the ebb in his fortunes that had begun when Allied troops landed in France on D-day. Seeking to drive to the English Channel coast and split the Allied armies as they had done in May 1940, the Germans struck in the Ardennes Forest, a seventy-five-mile stretch of the front characterized by dense...

Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations.

November 11th is the general's birthday and he like Donald Rumsfeld, resigned during war. General Patton was relieved of his command and decided to resign and Rumsfeld ...well few know the real reason for his resignation...

The True Story of The Patton Prayer by Msgr. James H. O'Neill (From the Review of the News 6 October 1971) Many conflicting and some untrue stories have been printed about General George S. Patton and the Third Army Prayer. Some have had the tinge of blasphemy and disrespect for the Deity. Even in "War As I Knew It" by General Patton, the footnote on the Prayer by Colonel Paul D. Harkins, Patton's Deputy Chief of Staff, while containing the elements of a funny story about the General and his Chaplain, is not the true account of the prayer Incident...

BASTOGNE, Belgium (AFP) - In snow and a chilling wind, US veterans and the king of Belgium paid tribute to Allied forces who, in a freezing winter 60 years ago, repulsed the last big German counter-attack of World War II. The Battle of the Bulge, fought in the towns and densely forested hills of the Ardennes, was according to one veteran here, "hell all the way through." With a blanket of snow underfoot -- just as it was in late 1944, one of the worst European winters in memory -- and a chilling wind which blew across the hilltop, King...

Twenty-three American soldiers ran through cold mud behind Pvt. Don Hentz as he led the way through the Battle of the Bulge. Adrenaline pumped through Hentz as German soldiers followed close behind. He was blind to the single strand of barbed wire that pierced his thighs. "I took the fence with me and it ripped my legs open," Hentz said. "We were the bulge. I think it was a set-up to draw the Germans. We were the bait. I'm disappointed that so many young men died for that. I saw a lot of men disappear in the bulge." At 90...

BAGHDAD, Iraq (April 10, 2006) – Iraqi Security Forces continue to gain experience as they lead both small and large-scale, combined operations. Two recent examples are in the Julayba area and north of Baghdad along the Tigris River. Iraqi and Coalition Soldiers wrapped up a successful counter-insurgency operation in the Julayba area east of Ramadi April 6. Operation Bastogne began early in the morning with Soldiers of the 1st Iraqi Army Division and the U.S. 28th Infantry blocking off escape routes frequented by insurgents. The combined operation resulted in two insurgents killed and three others captured. The Soldiers also discovered...

HAWIJAH, Iraq, March 30, 2006 — More than 60 Iraqi soldiers, from three separate units, graduated platoon-level training in Hawijah this week, increasing the effectiveness of the Iraqi Army in the war on terror and taking another step toward autonomy in protecting citizens of the region. "The soldiers show up a little apprehensive, and maybe even a little intimidated,” “But, with the Bastogne soldiers encouraging them, their motivation and performance improve once they start catching on." U.S. Army Maj. Greg Bishop Bastogne soldiers from the U.S. Army's 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, currently stationed in northern Iraq, use...

KIRKUK, Iraq (Army News Service, March 3, 2006) – Soldiers from the Bastogne Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division foiled an attempted rocket attack March 1 on their forward operating base near the village of Hawijah, Iraq, after they spotted insurgents setting up rockets. Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment observed a white pick-up truck parked at a known enemy firing position north of their FOB. Three insurgents were setting up a rocket system when the Soldiers notified the battalion’s operations center. On hearing the news, Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Marc Hutson ordered an artillery strike on the...

Like Temple, Lou, Murph, others, I too have my own memories of Christmas in uniform. My recollections go back to a time close to when Lou was a captain aboard a carrier in the Indian Ocean. I was a Marine corporal on Okinawa, sitting on my rack in a dingy squad bay, listening over-and-over to a cassette tape of Christmas wishes from family and friends, eating some chocolate-chip cookies Mom had made for me, looking at family pictures, and doing what all American soldiers and sailors have been doing during the month of December since 1775 – dreaming of home.

One evening 60 years ago this past week, two friends and I got drunk. This was the day the official surrender of the Japanese Empire was broadcast. Now, crowds in London might have cheered the end of war in Europe, and maybe they were celebrating the fall of Japan on Broadway. Where we were, I do not remember anybody cheering. It had been a long war, and we were tired. I was then platoon sergeant of a roughhouse, special 72-man separate platoon. "(Sep)" in our designation meant we could operate independently. We were over strength and carried two officers. I...

"Surprise attacks in supposedly secure areas. A spike in casualties. A few baffled American commanders. Suspicions of degrading morale within some units. Outright refusal to carry out lawful orders in others. Troops stretched too thin. Blame heaped on planners and those said to be responsible for unreliable intelligence. Sound familiar? It all began 60 years ago — this very Christmas season — when the German army, in a last-ditch effort, smashed through the Ardennes and struck the primary Allied lines in Belgium."

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. .................................................................. .................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should...

NANTICOKE (PA) - Sixty years ago, George Waters spent Christmas Eve in a cellar in Bastogne, Belgium, taking shelter from German air attacks. Across the street, the gunner from Waters' half-track lay in a hospital with wounds to his face. As Waters sat in the basement he could hear the bombs. Then one hit. "After dark they bombed the hospital and my gunner was killed," he said. Waters, a member of the 10th Armored Division, entered the Army on May 28, 1943, a few days after he graduated high school. A year and a half later he was fighting in...

BASTOGNE, Belgium (AP) — Amid snow flurries and a chilling wind, Belgium's King Albert II honored U.S. soldiers who died fighting Nazi Germany 60 years ago in the Battle of the Bulge, the largest land battle for American forces in war. Veterans from across the United States returned Saturday to find this market town that was at the center of the fighting much as it was on that bitter cold December in 1944 — covered in snow and buffeted by wind. The old soldiers, wearing military berets and caps, were greeted with warm applause, hugs and kisses from a grateful...

HANAU, Germany — A buzz of anticipation rifled through the crowded gymnasium. In a few minutes, a Band of Brothers six-pack would pop in for a brief visit before heading off for a historic reunion in Bastogne, Belgium. Michael Abrams / S&S Col. Tracy Williams, left, commander of the 104th Area Support Group, talks to Earl McClung, center, and Darrell "Shifty" Powers of "Band of Brothers" fame. McClung, Powers and four other members of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division spoke in Hanau, Germany, on Wednesday. Darrell “Shifty” Powers looked not the least bit fazed...

"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 and Belgium's outspoken opposition...

Lord, Keep our Troops forever in Your care Give them victory over the enemy... Grant them a safe and swift return... Bless those who mourn the lost. . FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer for all those serving their country at this time. ...................................................................................... ........................................... U.S. Military History, Current Events and Veterans Issues Where Duty, Honor and Countryare acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated. Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel...