US Veterans' Sacrifices for Freedom, Democracy Highlighted at Battle of the Bulge Commemorations

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, the American Military Cemetery in Luxembourg-Hamm hosted two public commemoration events last Friday and on Monday this week.

The first commemoration took the form of a luminary event (candle lighting), organised by the American Battle Monuments Commission, whilst the second was an official ceremony.

Among the guests present at the official ceremony on Monday were representatives from Germany, Belgium, Canada, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Poland and the United Kingdom, as well as veterans of the Battle of the Bulge. They were joined by members of the Luxembourg government, the Chamber of Deputies, the Cabinet, the judiciary and mayors from across the Grand Duchy. His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg was also present.

Representing the US on this occasion were Presidential and Congressional Delegations, the former led by U.S. Secretary of Defence, Dr. Mark T. Esper, and the latter by Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi. Other members included: J. Randolph Evans, U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg; Ronald J. Gidwitz, U.S. Ambassador to Belgium; General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Kay Bailey Hutchison, United States Permanent Representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); David J. Urban, Chairman of the American Battle Monuments Commission; William M. Matz Jr., Secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission and a retired Major General in the United States Army.

During his official speech, Grand Duke Henri described the Hamm American Military Cemetery as an eternal “sanctuary for [his] country”. He added that: “The brave soldiers who found their last resting place here, next to "their" general, General Patton, the liberator of Luxembourg, sacrificed their lives not just for their homeland, but for the freedom of our countries, for democracy and the rule of law”.

Addressing the veterans present at the ceremony, the Grand Duke said: “Your outstanding service has been a source of inspiration for generations of men and women. We commend you for your bravery and loyalty, which have made you the best ambassadors of an America fighting for freedom and human rights”. He also highlighted the role played by all “allied countries in this conflict: the United Kingdom, France, Poland, Canada, the Netherlands and Belgium”, as well as Russia, adding that: “we are deeply moved that Germany, the enemy of yesterday, has become the close friend of today”. He concluded: “Are human beings capable of learning from their mistakes? I would say yes under certain conditions- if we are able to keep the memory alive and find it in our hearts to forgive”. It is in this context, according to the Grand Duke, that the Hamm American Military Cemetery plays a “unique” role.