BASTOGNE, Belguim – Personnel with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron Regiment, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 426th Brigade support Battalion and 326th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) had the opportunity to visit multiple places in Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium that assisted them in learning about the history of the Bastogne Brigade and The Battle of the Bulge.
Their first stop was the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial where they had the opportunity to visit General George Smith Patton’s grave and an abundance of Soldiers that lost their life during The Battle of Bulge. Many names were sketched into large stones in front of the graves that were Soldiers identified with unknown tombs during the great battle.
“Seeing the graves made me feel grateful to know there were Soldiers that fought for freedom, and sacrificed so much,” said Sgt. William Stephens, S2 Analyst, 1-32 CAV. “It was an honor to get to visit them.”
After the Bastogne Soldiers left the cemetery, they made their way to the Ardennes Forrest, where they visited the foxholes that Easy Company, 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment had previously laid in the blistering cold over 70 years ago. The foxholes looked directly at the city of Foy, Belgium, and many of the foxholes were still dug deep into the ground.
“It changes the history from a story into something real, “said 1st Lt. Joel Padgett, Assistant S3, 1-32 CAV.
The Soldiers stood in the foxholes and looked at the city of Foy as if they were there for those cold winter days. They also saw many crosses sticking out of the ground with fresh flowers placed on their sites from locals that still honor the Soldiers of Easy Company.
“Standing in the fox holes that heroes from our own Brigade dug more than 70 years ago is something I will forever cherish as I grow old,” said Padgett. “It was just so remarkable to experience something like that,”
After seeing the real foxholes, the Bastogne Soldiers traveled to Bastogne, Belgium where they visited the Bastogne War Museum established in 2014, and walked across the Mardasson Memorial that was built in dedication to the Soldiers that died during The Battle of the Bulge.
“It’s one thing to watch a mini-series or read a book, but to actually stand on sacred ground was tremendous,” said 1st Lt. Chris Phillips, Assistant S3, 1-32 CAV.
The Soldiers could see across the rolling hills and farm land across Bastogne where many lives were lost from The Battle of the Bulge.
After seeing the terrain at the Bastogne Museum and the astounding monument they had the opportunity to visit the Bastogne Barracks, where a local tourist guide gave them a tour of the barracks and the original Division Headquarters that was utilized during WWII.
“Being able to actually see the artifacts, the barracks, stand in the foxholes of America’s heroes, and visit Bastogne really quantified everything that I have ever read,” said Cpt. James McConville, Deputy Support Operations Officer, 426 BSB. “It made the Bastogne Brigade more than just a unit that I served with – it made Bastogne a part of who I am.”
The tour guide was given a coin by the Squadron Commander, Lt Col. Nathan Springer, for taking the time to tell the story of The Battle of the Bulge in such a descriptive and attentive way.
“It is remarkable that the city has so many memorials and dedications to our Division for liberating them from the Germans,” said Padgett.
Padgett says how humbled he was that the local populace still loved U.S Soldiers and were grateful for their efforts during the Battle of the Bulge.
“The fact that they have so many museums and memorials for battles at Bastogne speaks in fruition on the idea that they truly appreciate what our heroes accomplished many decades ago,” Padgett added.
Many statues of General Anthony McAuliffe are still standing within the main areas, as well as some American flags posted in the city. Many of the people were friendly to the Bastogne Soldiers.
“The people in Belgium certainly have not forgotten the Battle of the Bulge,” said McConville. “The Bastogne Brigade is very much etched into their history and you can still feel the people’s appreciation for what happened there decades ago.”
The Bastogne Soldiers went to the Airborne Museum and saw many artifacts that were straight from the Battle of the Bulge, like helmets with clubs painted on them, knives and weapons, and even displays of great events the Soldiers in the war had to endure. They even had the opportunity to sit in a makeshift bunker that simulated explosions, screaming, and terror that would have been experienced during the war at the museum.
“I had sympathetic feeling for anyone that was forced to be in bunker during their everyday lives due to the fear of dying…they were just as much in the fight as any of our Soldiers were,” said Padgett.
The last stop the Bastogne Soldiers made was at the restaurant Le Nuts, where they had the opportunity to drink the Airborne beer dedicated to the Soldiers of 101st, share a delicious meal together, and sing “Blood on the Risers” in the loudest and most boisterous way possible.
“Hands down, my favorite part of the event was singing ‘Blood on the Risers’ at the Le Nuts restaurant with my brothers and sisters in 1-32 CAV,” said McConville “It was a very powerful moment that I was happy to have experienced.”
Many of the local populace recorded the Bastogne Soldiers singing the famous song, and were happy to get to experience such a special moment with the living legacies of the Battle of the Bulge.
“It truly is a once in a lifetime experience that I am so grateful I was able to take part in,” said McConville.
He adds anyone who has had the honor and privilege to wear the 101st Airborne patch should try to visit Bastogne and see the history the citizens Belgium and this brigade share.