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 - Jan
Let me wish each and everyone one of you “Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year” from all your officers. I hope Santa Claus found you and left you with many gifts to tide you over until next year.
I want to wish our St. Louis Gateway Chapter a “Happy 19th Birthday”. This month, our Chapter is 19 years old and going strong. It seems like only yesterday that we had our first meeting at the Gardenville Community Center when it was decided to start the Gateway Chapter. Review Chapter history
I want to thank Vice President Dave Schroeder, Chairman of the VBOB Memorial Ceremony, and Billy Stiegemeier, Chairman of the Annual Christmas luncheon, for a job well done.
Also, thanks to Associate Members, Marc Vanacht and Ben Weber for their kind words at the VBOB Memorial Ceremony as we remember all the veterans who were involved in the Battle of the Bulge.
Those who were unable to attend the Memorial Ceremony and Christmas Luncheon missed a great opportunity to meet with other Battle of the Bulge veterans and remember the date, December 16, when this historical battle started 67 years ago in 1944.
Our Gateway Chapter is looking forward to another successful year as we enter into the year 2012. We hope that those who are able will be attending the monthly Gateway meetings. Meeting info
The Ladies Auxiliary, under the leadership of Gaynell Bronenkamp, President, and Pat Mohrmann, Secretary, will serve lunch at the meeting. The luncheon price is right and can't be beat.
Looking forward to seeing you at the monthly Gateway meetings.
God Bless America and God Bless our Troops
Kent
New Years Toast
In Tribute to all who served in the Battle of the Bulge, we drank a New Year's toast (desired beverage of personal choice). This is the 14th year that we have offered this synchronized remembrance toast at 12:00 noon Pacific, 1:00 pm, Mountain; 2:00 pm Central; 3:00 pm Eastern. It is our special way to be together again, even if only in our thoughts. We shared so much so many years ago, we should remember those who were with us and be grateful for each and every one.
Annual Memorial Service - Dec 16, 2011
The annual Memorial Service was held at Royale Orleans at 10:00 am December 16. This year there were two guest speakers, Marc Vanacht and Ben Weber, both Gateway Chapter Associate Members. Marc spoke about this recollections of the Battle of the Bulge as a child in Belgium and Ben shared a letter he had written to his children some time ago, explaining why those who fought in the Bulge should be considered ‘soldiers of the impossible.'
Secretary Clyde Erb then read the names of Gateway Chapter members who had passed away in 2011: #473 Laverne Tolzman (110th AAA 90mm Mbl); #628 Roland Niles (557th ORD); #750 Charles Branson (87th INFD); #501 Eugene Wisely (7th ARMD); #775 Joseph Boyer (609th Tank Destroyers); #157 Trevor Storbeck (78th INFD); #667 Tom Brahm (26th INFD); #666 Robert Kargus (2nd INFD); #693 Urban Klein (347th INF REG); #513 William Keenoy (84th INFD); #292 Thomas Moore (97th INFD); # 125 Paul Neuhoff (35th INFD); #420 Ralph Fiehler (4th ARMD); #687 Roy Ahlvers (AAA 559th Bn); #546 Edward Hicks (26th INFD).
Ann Wagner, former Ambassador to Luxembourg and Congressional hopeful, was able to take time out of her busy schedule to join us for the Memorial Service. Always good to see you, Ann.
Gala Christmas Party
The annual Gateway Chapter Christmas gathering began shortly after the Memorial Service. It started with hors d'oeuvres, followed by a delicious holiday buffet of beef tenderloin and chicken cordon bleu with all the trimmings.
Certificates of Appreciation were presented by President Stephens to Marc Vanacht and Ben Weber, who were guest speakers at the Memorial Ceremony.
Numerous Pot O' Gold winners were announced, including six $20 prizes donated by the Ladies' Auxiliary and the poinsettias adorning each table. Thank you Forrest and the Royale Orleans staff for once again making this event such a success.
Elks Lodge Veterans Appreciation Day
For the sixth year in a row, the Affton Elks treated Gateway Chapter members to a complimentary lunch to honor their service during World War II. Those attending the November 8 meeting dined on a hot roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, followed by cake and coffee.
On behalf of our members, the officers of the Gateway Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge would like to thank all those from the Affton Elks Lodge # 2635 for their generosity and support throughout the year.
Memorial Ceremony Available
A Memorial Ceremony is available for members of the St. Louis Gateway Chapter of the Battle of the Bulge.
Chaplain Eugene Ganz watches the obituaries, calls the family and offers the Memorial Ceremony. If the Ceremony is accepted, the Chaplain makes arrangements for time and place, usually the funeral home the day prior to the furneral. The Memorial Ceremony is also available for former members when the family calls and requests it.
Quartermasters Corner
We welcome members and guests to visit our display at the west side of the meeting room during our monthly get-togethers. We do not carry a large inventory, but we can order whatever you need for pickup at the next meeting. Please be aware that the green shirts are going to be discontinued by the Army in the near future, so plan accordingly. We will continue to carry them for as long as we are able to get them. Note that we are unable to mail items to customers.
2012 Veterans Tours
2012 VETERANS TOURS (please share with your family members)
PILSEN LIBERATION FESTIVAL TOUR April 29 (Arr Frankfurt) - May 9 (Dept Prague). Attend the annual Pilsen Liberation Festival. See the huge Merkers salt mines where the Third Reich's treasures were hidden, Nuremberg with its Nazi Rallies area and War Crimes Trials Palace of Justice, Flossenbuerg concentration camp and see the beautiful, historic Czech capital of Prague. OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO MUNICH May 9 (Arr Prague) - May 12 (Dept Munich) Visit Salzburg and Hitler's mountain HQ around Berchtesgaden, Obersalzberg and the Eagles Nest. Tour Dachau Concentration Camp and Munich.
106th INFD - BATTLE OF THE BULGE TOUR May 13 (Arr Brussels) - 20 (Dept Frankfurt). Follow the path of the regiments of the 106th Division, including the POW's long march into captivity. The tour includes St. Vith and the northern shoulder of the Bulge.
VBOB BATTLE OF THE BULGE 'MEMORIAL DAY' TOUR May 24 (Arr Brussels) - June 2 (Dept Paris). Take part in Memorial Day in Europe, followed by an in-depth Battle of the Bulge tour. Visit the American Battle of the Bulge Cemeteries on Memorial Day. OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO D-DAY NORMANDY June 2 (Arr Paris) - 8 (Dept Paris). Celebrate the anniversary of D-Day and tour Normandy in depth.
HONORING GENERAL GEORGE C MARSHALL ON THE MARSHALL PLAN'S 65th ANNIVERSARY Sept 15 (Arr Paris) - Sept 23 (Dept Paris).This tour covers Marshall's achievements in Europe- from the WW1 battlefields from Cantigny to the Meuse-Argonne to organizing the final defeat of Germany in WW2 and post-war European peace and security with highlights of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and the Marshall Plan.
45th INFD - BULGE COUNTERPUNCH IN ALSACE Sept dates tba (Arr Nice, Dept Paris) Follows the route of the 45th ID's battle from the south of France to the battles in Alsace to block Hitler's Bulge counterpunch.
82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION TOUR Oct 6 (Arr Paris) - 18 (Dept Amsterdam) .A special 82nd Airborne WW2 heritage tour for 82nd AB Golden Brigade Vietnam veterans which covers 82nd AB's most famous WW2 combat operations, D-Day Normandy, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.
FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Doris Davis, President of VBOB Golden Gate Chapter. Email doris@battleofthebulge.org Tel (650) 654 - 0101 (PST).
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.
