Luxembourg, Belgium Commemorate 80th Anniversary of Battle of the Bulge

On Saturday 14 December 2024, the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg-Hamm hosted a ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

Also known as the Ardennes Offensive, the Battle of the Bulge was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. It was the biggest and bloodiest single battle fought by the United States in this war, claiming the lives of approximately 19,000 American soldiers. The Luxembourg American Cemetery is the final resting place of more than 5,000 service members, many of whom died in this battle, on Luxembourgish soil.

The testimonies of veterans - paired with the cold weather (even if the ceremony mainly took place inside a tent) - on Saturday morning helped attendees understand the resilience and determination of the soldiers who had fought bravely under harsh, freezing conditions not far from the ceremony location 80 years earlier.

Among the official guests were the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, the King and Queen of the Belgians, the respective prime ministers of Luxembourg and Belgium, members of the Luxembourg government and parliament (and other Luxembourgish officials), the President of the European Parliament, an official US delegation (including NASA Administrator Bill Nelson), and WWII veterans who had made the journey over to Luxembourg once again from the United States. Other attendees included members of the public and the press.

Following the posting of the colours (flags), the ceremony featured speeches from representatives of the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), which runs the cemetery, as well as Major General Peter B. Andrysiak Jr., Chief of Staff of the US European Command, and US veteran John D. “Jack” Foy, who served in the Battle of Bulge as part of Company A, 37th Infantry Regiment, 87th Division. Other speakers included US Ambassador to Luxembourg Thomas M. “Tom” Barrett, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.

The speeches emphasised the continued relevance of remembrance events and the sacrifice made by many Americans (and other soldiers) for freedom and democracy. The speakers shared the individual stories of some of the men who fought in the Second World War; some, including Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak Jr. and Ambassador Barrett, noted their personal links to these brave men. Veteran John Foy delivered a particularly poignant testimony, speaking of his own first-hand experience: he recalled the “bitter cold” and the faces of his brothers in arms, “ordinary men who displayed extraordinary courage”. Together they fought for freedom “step by painful step”. He noted how many had made the ultimate sacrifice (including his own friends) and stressed that their sacrifice will not be forgotten. The 99-year-old veteran received a standing ovation for his moving speech.

Prime Minister Luc Frieden later expressed Luxembourg’s “eternal gratitude” to those who fought for the country’s freedom. He also made three commitments on behalf of the Luxembourg government: commitment to Europe, to “building and strengthening European unity”; commitment to the Transatlantic partnership (based on shared values); commitment to democracy, rule of law and international law.

Grand Duke Henri also reflected on the significance of the Battle of the Bulge, noting the courage and resilience of soldiers and civilians alike. He noted that their sacrifices “paved the way for liberation, reconstruction and peace” in Europe. He described veterans as the “living guardians of this memory” and their commitment was a “source of inspiration”. He expressed his “deepest appreciation, sincere respect and eternal gratitude”, paying tribute to American soldiers but also the other Allied nations whose efforts helped bring WWII to an end.

The speakers, including the Grand Duke, also touched on the importance of remembering past sacrifices and defending peace and democracy at a time of uncertainty, when conflict has returned to the European continent (notably referring to Russian aggression against Ukraine). Such events remind us to never take sovereignty and freedom for granted.

A wreath-laying ceremony and subsequent 21-gun salute followed the speeches. A planned flyover was cancelled due to poor weather conditions. The official ceremony, which also featured musical interludes, ended with the US and Luxembourg national anthems and the Anthem of Europe and the departure of the colours.

The official guests then departed for either the Grand Ducal Palace (Luxembourg and Belgian royals) or the Château de Senningen (political figures and other official guests). After lunch, commemorative events continued in Bastogne, Belgium.