Honoring the Memories and Sacrifices

St. Louis Gateway Chapter  •  Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge WWII  •  P.O. Box 6503  •  St. Louis, MO 63125

Examine the rich history of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter Veterans Battle of the Bulge by selecting from the following options:

Overview of Activities/Events 2008

Our Chapter has grown to be one of the largest VBOB Chapters in the National organization! Highlights from 2008 include the Honor Flight trip to Washington DC, the debut of "Victory Through Valor" and progress toward erecting a GI Statue in Jefferson Barracks Park. The Educational Team continues to visit schools and organizations to inform and educate them about what it was really like for the veterans and families during WWII.

Chapter members participated in numerous celebrations and observances including the World War II Weekend April 25-27, Memorial Day Services, Kimmswick Weekend W.A.V.E. "We Appreciate Our Veterans" May 24-25, Arnold VFW Weekend June 7-8, the annual Chapter picnic September 9, Affton Days Parade September 20 and Veterans Day Parades.

The recent release of the book "Victory Through Valor", featuring the stories of over 100 Gateway Chapter veterans and their wives has been a huge success. Over 200 people attended the book launch on October 4 where dozens of the members featured in the book were on hand to sign autographs, share their experiences and observe a presentation by the Educational Team.

Many Gateway Chapter members were among a group of St. Louis-area World War II veterans who were flown to Washington DC as part of the Franklin County Honor Flight Program on September 17. They visited the World War II Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial and Arlington Cemetery and were cheered by hundreds at their arrival in Washington DC and upon their return to St. Louis.

Plans for a GI Statue in Jefferson Barracks Park near the VBOB Monument site continue. This is a multi-year project and we look forward to more progress in 2009.

Overview of Activities/Events 2007

2007 was another successful year for the St. Louis Gateway Chapter Veterans, Battle of the Bulge. Our Educational program, under the leadership of Jim Johnson, continued to present programs to many schools and organizations boasting over 371 presentations in 12 years. January 1, 2007 marked the debut of the Gateway Chapter website which allows visitors from all over the world to learn about the Battle of the Bulge and the St. Louis Gateway Chapter. We have received 'hits' and correspondence from both far and near and also new members with this new global exposure.

The Chapter participated in many events and parades in 2007. Some of these include: "Salute to Veterans Day" in Kimmswick, Collinsville Memorial Day Parade, Memorial Day Parade at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Webster Groves Independence Day Parade, Arnold VFW Veterans Day in August, Affton Days Parade in September, Annual VBOB Picnic, flag retirement ceremonies, Veterans Day Parade in Collinsville, Veterans Day Programs at Boeing-McDonnell and Parkway South High School, the annual Memorial Ceremony and the Gala Christmas Luncheon.

The St. Louis PBS station, Channel 9, conducted interviews of our Gateway Chapter members in late spring and summer and broadcast some of the videos on their show called 'Living St. Louis'. In September there was a viewing of the Ken Burns documentary, "THE WAR", of the years 1941-1945 on all the PBS stations. A special thanks for Channel 9 Kate Shaw and Anne-Marie Berger for the interviews and for attending our picnic in September.

Annual elections for three Chapter Offices were held on November 13. Results: Jim Johnson, Vice-President, Clyde Erb, Secretary and Don Green, Sergeant-at-Arms.

The annual VBOB Memorial Ceremony was held on December 16 with a change in venue (indoors at Royale Orleans Hall) due to icy/snowy weather. The names of Chapter members who had passed away in 2007 were read aloud by Secretary Steigemeier. The 2nd Rangers re-enactors took part in the memorial ceremony as they have in past years. The annual Gala Christmas Luncheon followed the Memorial Ceremony. Certificates of appreciation were awarded to retiring secretary Bill Stiegemeier, Kevin Owens of the 2nd Ranger Bn and Gary Adkins of the 1st Special Services Forces. Quilt raffle proceeds of over $800, the sale of Christmas ornaments and the raffle of a bird house/feeder will benefit the GI Statue or Monument Area projects. Special thanks to Helen Keilholz, Jacob Wright and Sue Willimas for the generouse donations of these items.

Forrest from Royale Orleans indicated that they have done several fundraisers for the USO at Lambert Field, and that this year's donation (in excess of $2,500) was being donated in honor of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter of the Veterans Battle of the Bulge.

Top of Page

Chapter Chronology

The following is a chronology of events of the formation of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

Article Regarding VBOB 50th Anniversary Sparks Idea (Nov-Dec 1992)

Kent Stephens received a complimentary issue of the Veterans Battle of the Bugle (VBOB) publication in November 1992 and an article regarding the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge to be held in St. Louis, MO in December of 1994 caught his attention. The article contained an appeal for help from any members of the Battle of the Bulge organization living in the St. Louis area to serve on the 50th Anniversary committee. After reading the article, Kent wrote to the Headquarters of the VBOB requesting the names of local VBOB veterans who had responded to the publicized appeal. Kent and other St. Louis area veterans of the 26th (Yankee) Infantry Division (YD) had been gathering at luncheon meetings and sharing their memories for a few years prior to 1992. This was an opportunity to reach out to others to share memories and honor those who served their country proudly and with great courage.

In reply to his letter dated December 1, 1992, Nancy Monson, Secretary of the VBOB, sent Kent a list of nine VBOB members who had responded to the appeal and lived in the St. Louis area. The list contained the names of Harold Mueller, George Kegler, Clarence Lauman, Vincent Clooney, Elias Hydar, Walter Gaterman, Robert Gravlin, William Studt and Peter Mayer. Subsequently, Kent contacted Stewart Piper, a fellow Yankee Division veteran, about scheduling another luncheon meeting and inviting the above mentioned VBOB veterans to determine if there was enough interest among all these VBOB veterans to start a Chapter of the VBOB in the St. Louis area.

St. Louis Area Yankee Divison Veterans Meet VBOB Veterans (Dec 17, 1992)

Kent Stephens invited all nine of the VBOB members along with 24 of the St. Louis Yankee Division veterans to a luncheon meeting on December 17, 1992 at Pietro's Restaurant (Watson Rd. in St. Louis). First Meeting - Click for larger viewSix of the YD veterans (Elder Etzold, Rudy Braun, Stewart Piper, Morris Williams, Eddie Hicks and Kent Stephens) along with five of the VBOB members (Pete Mayer, George Kegler, Harold Mueller, Clarence Lauman, and Bill Studt) attended this historic meeting. Interesting note: All of the YD veterans were acquainted with each other, but of the VBOB members only Bill Studt and Pete Mayer knew each other.

After enjoying lunch and getting acquainted, the possibility of starting a VBOB chapter in St. Louis was discussed. Harold Mueller had a list of 34 VBOB members living in the St. Louis area and, with the 24 Yankee Division veterans, it was determined that there were enough veterans of the Battle of the Bulge to charter a local Chapter.

Organizational Meeting Set for Jan 21, 1993 at Gardenville Community Center

Harold Mueller and Stewart Piper volunteered for the task of finding a location for the next organizational meeting set for January 21, 1993. Stewart Piper, a member of the St. Louis Horseshoe Club which met at Gardenville Community Center (Gravois & Kingshighway in St. Louis), offered to contact the Community Center about having the meeting at this location.

Kent Stephens collected the names of the VBOB members and offered to send a letter to all the VBOB and the YD veterans. All meeting attendees were enthusiastic about the possibility of the startup of a VBOB Chapter in the St. Louis area and this first luncheon meeting broke up at 2:45.

Contacting Veterans

Kent Stephens contacted Harry Levins of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Bob Hardy of radio station KMOX and the Collinsville Herald asking for assistance with publicizing the January 21, 1993 VBOB meeting. Letters were sent to all the known veterans of the Battle of the Bugle.

Stewart Piper, Harold Mueller and Kent Stephens volunteered to serve as primary contacts to answer questions and provide any information concerning the VBOB Chapter. Approximately 150 notices of the meeting were mailed to those who responded to the newspaper and radio publicity. There were many phone calls over the next few weeks and the response to the letters was just great.

Overwhelming Attendance at First VBOB Meeting (Jan 21, 1993)

Attendance at the January 21, 1993 meeting was overwhelming with a standing room crowd of 102 VBOB veterans. There was much talk about the startup of the VBOB Chapter and the upcoming 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bugle in St. Louis.

Plans were made for the next meeting to be held February 16, 1993 at 1:00 pm at Gardenville Community Center with the promise of a larger room and seating for all that were able to attend. Those who attended were asked to extend an invitation to any VBOB veterans that they knew who might be interested in joining the St. Louis VBOB Chapter.

The National VBOB Headquarters was contacted after the meeting and told about the meetings in St. Louis. Stanley Wojtuski, chairman for new VBOB Chapters, subsequently contacted Kent Stephens. Stanley said that the necessary papers for the formation of a VBOB Chapter would be sent as soon as possible.

Harold Mueller, Stewart Piper, Dick Cotter, Robert Ward and Kent Stephens volunteered to serve as a committee until all the Chapter information was received from the National Veterans Battle of the Bulge Headquarters.

Note of interest: Kent Stephens met Dick Cotter, who had been in the Headquarters Battery of the 101st Field Artillery of the 26th Yankee Infantry Division, at the first meeting held at the Gardenville Community Center.

VBOB Organizing Committee Submits Proposals (Feb 16, 1993)

The February 16, 1993 meeting was canceled due to a heavy snow storm that pretty well shut down the city. The February meeting was rescheduled for February 24, 1993 at the Gardenville Community Center.

The VBOB committee (Harold Mueller, Dick Cotter and Stewart Piper) presented the proposed constitution and by-laws for the St. Louis Gateway VBOB Chapter. Yearly dues were discussed and it was decided to set the annual dues at $10.00.

A computer roster of approximately 232 VBOB veterans was given to Bob Ward, acting secretary, for all future correspondence. Next meeting date was set for March 3, 1993 at the Gardenville Community Center and the meeting closed at 2:30 pm.

Election of Officers and Establishing Policy (March 3, 1993)

Acting President Kent Stephens opened the meeting at 1:00 pm with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Twenty-five members were in attendance. Business items were as follows:

  • Minutes of the January 21 and February 24 meetings were read and approved.
  • Election of Officers: a slate of officers was presented to the membership:
    • President - Kent Stephens
    • Vice President - Stewart Piper
    • Secretary - Robert (Bob) Ward
    • Treasurer - Harold Mueller
    • Sgt. At Arms - Dick Cotter
    • A motion was made and seconded that the presented slate of officers be elected by acclimation. The vote was unanimous.
  • Chapter name selected: St. Louis Gateway Chapter.
  • The By-laws and Constitution as presented by the committee were discussed and when put to a vote, were accepted as written.
  • Yearly dues of $10.00 were proposed, discussed and unanimously approved.
  • Charter Members: It was decided that the first one hundred Battle of the Bulge veterans who joined the Gateway Chapter would be considered charter members.
  • Meeting Schedule: It was voted to have monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month, unless otherwise determined by the elected officers.
Top of Page

Outstanding Events

The following are some of the more outstanding events that have taken place since those eleven veterans of the Battle of the Bulge sat down to have lunch and a dream was born that the St. Louis Gateway Chapter could become a reality.

  • Memorial Monument: One of the most significant achievements was the fact that the St. Louis Gateway Chapter, under the chairmanship of Steward Piper, was able to raise the funds necessary to erect the St. Louis Gateway Chapter's Battle of the Bulge Memorial Monument. It is located in Jefferson Barracks Park on the bluffs overlooking the mighty Mississippi River. This monument was dedicated October 12, 1997 to those veterans of the Battle of the Bulge who fought and those who died during this six-week battle of World War II.
  • Parades and Civic Events: The St. Louis Gateway Chapter has taken part in many parades and other civic events over the years.
  • Annual Memorial Ceremony: The St. Louis Gateway Chapter has held an annual memorial ceremony on December 16th of every year since 1993 to honor the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.
  • Hosting the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge: The St. Louis Gateway Chapter proudly served as the host Chapter for the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge held December 16, 1994. This historical event was the only 50th Anniversary of World War II to be held in the continental United States. Over 1900 were in attendance at this four-day celebration. Many members of the Gateway Chapter served on the committee and met with the Chairman of the 50th Anniversary, Mr. Bill Tayman and Col. Robert Wells from Scott Field.
Top of Page

Home Page   Chapter Meetings   Membership