[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24429]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING VETERANS OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

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                          HON. CHARLES W. DENT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2008

  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor American veterans who 
fought in the most pivotal conflict of World War II; the Battle of the 
Ardennes, more commonly referred to as the Battle of the Bulge. 
Specifically, I rise to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the 
many courageous veterans, family members and supporters of the Lehigh 
Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, based in my 
district.
  Next month marks the 64th anniversary of the start of the Battle of 
the Bulge. At 5:30 a.m. on December 16, 1944, over 250,000 German 
troops launched a massive offensive against Allied forces along an 85 
mile stretch of Europe's Western Front in the Ardennes region of 
Belgium, Luxembourg and France. Initially, German forces were able to 
advance approximately 50 miles into terrain controlled by Allied 
armies, but by late January 1945, American units had reclaimed the lost 
territory and effectively crippled the German Army.
  While the Battle of the Bulge was the largest and most pivotal land 
battle of World War II involving American soldiers, it also proved to 
be the bloodiest. When the conflict ended on January 25, 1945, roughly 
75,000 American troops had lost their lives defending the vital Western 
Front and thousands more were left terribly injured. The sacrifices of 
these servicemen and all those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge 
were not made in vain, as the U.S. Army's expulsion of German forces 
from Ardennes damaged the German Army to the extent that its full 
defeat became inevitable.
  Ten years ago, a group of motivated veterans in my district 
established the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Veterans of the Battle of the 
Bulge. Today, the membership of this group extends far beyond veterans 
of the Battle of the Bugle to include veterans of more recent conflicts 
like the Vietnam war, spouses, family members, friends and even local 
residents who share the group's interest in American military history. 
The Chapter meets the third Tuesday of every month at the Terrace 
Restaurant in Walnutport, Pennsylvania, to socialize, share memories 
and discuss upcoming community events. Typically, these meetings 
attract anywhere from 75 to 100 enthusiasts.
  One of the primary functions of the organization is to educate local 
students and residents. Members routinely visit schools throughout the 
Lehigh Valley to discuss the importance of the Battle of the Bulge and 
teach students about the great sacrifices made by thousands of American 
soldiers over time to preserve our freedom. The Chapter estimates its 
education program has reached over 50,000 students since its inception.
  December 16, 2008, represents 64 years since the start of the famous 
Battle of the Bulge. On this date, members of the Lehigh Valley Chapter 
of Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge will gather at 5:30 a.m. in two 
locations in my district to recognize the anniversary of this historic 
event and remember the many Americans who lost their lives ensuring 
Allied victory in World War II.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring the 
veterans of the Battle of the Bulge and thanking all members of the 
Armed Forces for their brave service to our country.

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