[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 24]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 32618]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE SESTAK

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 16, 2009

  Mr. SESTAK. Madam Speaker, December 16, 2009 marks the 65th 
Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. On this day 65 years ago, 
German forces launched the Ardennes Offensive against American and 
Allied Forces in Belgium, Luxemburg, and Germany. The Battle of the 
Bulge, which lasted 40 days, represents one of the greatest displays of 
valor, honor, and perseverance in American military history. It also 
marked the beginning of the end of World War II.
  One week into this historic battle, commanding officer General 
Anthony McAuliffe was approached by Colonel Harper with a note from 
Germany's command asking for an ``honorable surrender'' by American 
forces. When General McAuliffe was read the note, he laughed and 
exclaimed, ``Us surrender? Aw, nuts!'' He then realized that a reply 
was in order, and began to ask his staff what he should say. Lieutenant 
General Harry Kinnard spoke up, saying ``That first remark of yours 
would be hard to beat.'' ``What do you mean?'' asked McAuliffe. ``Sir, 
you said `Nuts'.'' replied the Lieutenant General. And that was the 
answer that McAuliffe gave back to the Germans; Nuts.
  Surrender was never an option for our boys. Despite being outnumbered 
and outgunned at the onset of the battle, the Allied Forces refused to 
yield. Even when they were forced to retreat to Bastogne in the face of 
an overwhelming German force, the objective remained the same: stop 
Hitler's army, whatever it takes.
  According to the Department of Defense, American forces suffered 
almost 90,000 casualties during the battle, including 19,000 killed, 
47,500 wounded and 23,000 missing. It is our duty to honor those lost 
in battle, and to acknowledge the sacrifice they made--the ultimate 
sacrifice--in defense of our freedom and security. These men were not 
expecting combat. In fact, the area they were defending had been 
considered a ``quiet sector''. As the German Forces advanced, neither 
they nor their officers were aware of the impending attack. Hitler's 
army confronted them with half a million troops, 1,800 tanks, and 
thousands of guns, yet our men prevailed.
  In this way, the Battle of the Bulge serves as both a legacy and a 
precedent. Its legacy is that of the largest land battle in our Army's 
history and the turning point of World War II. Its precedent is the 
model it provides, even today, for our men and women in combat. During 
my 31 years of service in the Navy, I witnessed acts of extraordinary 
bravery and resolve among the men and women under my command. As a Vice 
Admiral, I was honored to serve with the finest sailors that our 
country has to offer and witness these men and women perform their 
duties with the same purpose and spirit that led the Allied Forces to 
victory 65 years ago.
  This past August, I was honored with the opportunity to welcome the 
83rd Infantry Division of World War II to my District. Many of these 
men served in the Battle of the Bulge, and it was with tremendous 
gratitude and respect that I addressed them, shared my own experiences 
as a Veteran, and fielded questions. As the son of a Navy Captain who 
served in the War, I have an understanding of the sacrifices these men 
made to serve their country, including the years they spent away from 
home and family. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to these 
men and the deep appreciation for all they have done to defend the 
democratic principles of this nation.
  It is with humility and a strong sense of obligation that I ask us to 
recognize the Allied Forces' victory at the Battle of the Bulge in late 
January, 1945 and the men who made that victory possible.

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