Chapter News
Printed Newsletter: Membership in the St. Louis Gateway Chapter Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge includes a subscription to the Chapter Newsletter. Published 6 times each year, the newsletter features lists of upcoming events, reunions, photos, membership and educational information, chapter business and articles of interest.
Note from President Kent Stephens - March
I'm sure that most of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter members are about ready for Spring and some warmer weather. I know I am. Although we shouldn't complain when some of our members who live over in the Eastern part of the USA are still trying to get rid of all that snow.
To those of you who have computers and are able to get on the Internet I am hoping that you have taken the time to check out the St. Louis Gateway Chapter's web site. Gail Keller who is our web designer has done a fantastic job of putting together a very interesting and informative web site about the St. Louis Gateway Chapter.
I think our web site is one of the best, if not the very best in the National VBOB organization. If you do not have a computer, ask your kids, grand kids or a friendly neighbor to open the St. Louis Gateway VBOB web site and take a look at what a great web site we have. Kudos to Gail for a job well done.
Please take note of the World War II re-enactment that will take place at Jefferson Barracks Park on the weekend of April 23-25. I did not know this but this will be the 25th year that the 2nd Rangers Battalion have held this battle re-enactment at Jefferson Barracks.
Also, the First Special Service Forces from St. Louis will be part of this re-enactment along with other units for the surrounding area including German, British, and Russian re-enactors.
To those who have not been to JB to see the displays of WWII equipment, the Army vehicles and watched the battle re--enactment you have missed one of the highlights of the many activities held at Jefferson Barracks. You may want to plan to bring your grandchildren to see what World War II was all about.
Just a reminder, if you are on the sick list, please contact our Chaplain Gene Ganz at 636-227-1930 or by email.
Several of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter's associate members are very much involved in the annual December 16 Memorial over in Belgium.
Patrick Brion and Ed Lapotsky have helped in the planning and organizing of the annual Bastogne Historical Walk held in Belgium as "We Walk To Remember" the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge on December 16, 1944.
This year's walk saw over 4,000 walkers take one of three routes ending at the Boggess Bunker located in Annenois, Belgium. Thanks to Jerry Lucchesi for his in-depth report found elsewhere in this newsletter.
Our St. Louis Gateway Chapter is honored to have these associate members involved in this historical event over in Belgium.
Don't forget that 2010 charter dues are now due.
Hope to see you all at the March 9 and the April 13 St. Louis Gateway Chapter meetings.
God Bless America and God Bless our Troops
Kent
Education Report - Upcoming Presentations
Educational presentations for February and March:
Feb 10 – Jim Green's Team – Pond School
Feb 10 – Jim Green's Team – Marquette HS (2 presentations)
Feb 10 – Harold Mueller's Team – Marquette HS (3 presentations)
Feb 17 – Gene Ganz's Team – Lafayette HS (2 presentations)
Feb 17 – Jim Green's Team – Lafayette HS (3 presentations)
Feb 17 – Harold Mueller's Team – Lafayette HS (2 presentations)
Mar 1-5 – Four presentations by the Green and Mueller teams at the Rockwood Learning Center
World War II Weekend - April 23-25
The 25th annual World War II Weekend will again be held at the Jefferson Barracks Historic Park April 23-25. There will be Living History camps with weapon and gear demonstrations as well as battle reenactments, all provided by the 2nd Ranger Battalion of St. Louis. The military vehicle display is courtesy of the Mid-America chapter of the Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA). Guided tours of the camps will be available on Friday. European Theatre battle reenactments will take place on Saturday, 4/24. at 11:00 am and 3:00 pm and on Sunday, 4/25, at noon.
The First Special Service Forces from St. Louis will also be part of this re-enactment along with other units for the surrounding area including German, British and Russian re-enactors.
Veterans will be honored and are encouraged to attend. This year there will be a tent near the battlefield reenactments for a book signing by Gateway Chapter of our book, “Victory Through Valor: A Collection of World War II Memoirs”. More information about our Chapter's involvement will be made available at the March and April monthly meetings. A Big Band dance will be held Saturday evening, 4/24, at 7:00 pm at the JB Grant Shelter.
For further information, contact the 2nd Ranger Battalion of St. Louis at (314) 921-0814 or the Mid-America Chapter of the MVPA at (636) 464-7281.
Affton Elks Lenten Fish Fry
The Affton Elks will once again be having their weekly fish frys during the Lenten season at the Lodge Hall located at 6330 Heege Rd. Hours are from 4:00-7:00 pm and will be held March 5, 12, 19, 26 and April 2 (Good Friday).
Dinner plates include bread and choice of 2 side dishes as well as the entrée. Entrées offered include baked and fried fish, fried shrimp, whole catfish, and ½-chicken.
Side dishes include cole slaw, mac and cheese, spaghetti, green beans, and French fries. Drinks and desserts are extra. Dine-in or carryout. Several sandwiches are also available.
Bastogne 2009 After Action Report
We walk to remember.
We walk to honor your duty and devotion.
We walk to honor you courage and sacrifice.
We salute you.
We walk to remember.
On December 16, 1944, the German Army launched the Ardennes offensive,“Watch on the Rhine”. The American Army would now be locked in the largest land battle known as the Battle of the Bulge and Bastogne would be its Alamo.
Thirty-two years ago Maurice Spirandeau, a Belgium soldier attached to Patton's 3rd Army, became one of the organizers of the annual Bastogne Perimeter Memorial Walk.
This year's walk saw over 4,000 walkers take one of three routes ending at the Boggess Bunker in Assenois, the site of the link-up of the 4th Armored Division, 3rd Army and the 101st Airborne. (Lieutenant Boggess met Lieutenant Webster of the 326th Engineers, 101st Airborne who exclaimed, “Glad to see you”. The paratrooper grinned broadly and the two men shook hands.) This meeting marked the end of the siege of Bastogne but more than a month of bitter fighting remained before the Battle of the Bulge would end. The ceremony opened with the posting of the colors by the 52nd Fighter Wing Honor Guard, Spangdahlem Air Force Base, and the 101st Dutch-Belgium Honor Guard. Next came an explanation of the events of the day by Edward Lapotsky, the laying of a wreath by Maurice Spirandeau (3rd Army) and Vincent Speranza (101st 501 PIR), a benediction by Chaplin McCoy, a howitzer volley and taps to honor those who fought and died in the Bulge.
The activities of the weekend to honor those who participated in this epic struggle were many and it was impossible to attend all the ceremonies because of other commitments.
Additional events consisted of an evening ceremony at the Mardasson Memorial, which included the Veterans and young Belgium children, a military vehicle parade through the streets of Bastogne, ceremonies in Mc Auliffe Square and a parachute jump at the Mardasson Memorial by the Liberty Jump Team.
Two of the special events I did attend in addition to the Memorial Walk was the premier showing of Joe Fabb's documentary film “Bedford; The Town They Left Behind”. The film tells the story of the sacrifices the town of Bedford, Virginia, made during WW II. I had the opportunity to see this movie twice and each time came away with a greater appreciation of the lasting effects the tragedy of war leaves on all of us. At the conclusion of the movie Joe Fabb, Helen Patton, and Carl Dalke, 101st Airborne, 506th PIR answered questions from the audience about the film and experiences during the Battle of the Bulge. I recommend you watch this film at your earliest convenience.
The second highlight was the dedication of the memorial to the 326th Airborne Medical Company, 101st Airborne Division at Barriere Hinck, in Sprimont (six miles west of Bastogne). Enemy forces overran the 326th Medical Company field hospital on the night of December 19, 1944 resulting in the death and wounding of many soldiers. Those who survived were forced to surrender and became prisoners of war. Two returning veterans, Henry “Hank” Skowronski, 326th Medical Company, 101st Airborne and Carmen Gisi, 401st GIR, Company B, 101st Airborne, unveiled the memorial together. Hank, was taken prisoner while Carmen's unit was engaged in action against the Germans in this area during the night of December 19. On the morning of December 20, Carman observed the 326th medical tents and began to scout the area; he found Hank's camera, which he left in his foxhole the night of December 19. A 101st historian knew the story of Hank's camera and that Carmen found it; thus in July 2009 the pair who were so close 65 years ago were finally united.
Trips to Commemorate 65th Anniversary
This year, 2010, marks the sixty-fifth anniversary of the victory in the Battle of the Bulge, VE Day and the end of World War II. Information about two trips this year, one in March and one in May, are planned. more info
Book Signings
A number of books signings were well attended by Gateway Chapter members and the public following the launch of the book, "Victory Through Valor".
More about the book project View photos of book signings.
Books are available at the monthly meetings for either pick-up or for delivery via the USPS or you can print the form and mail it to the Chapter.
