Christine Guidry Law

The 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in New York

On January 28, 2025, the Consuls General of Luxembourg and Belgium hosted a reception at the Luxembourg Consulate General in New York City to honor the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. This event paid tribute to the American veterans who played a crucial role in one of World War II’s most significant battles.

Among those honored were WWII veterans Benjamin Berry, Jake Ruser, Joe Landry, and Ted Novak, the oldest attendee at 102 years old. The combined age of these four heroes totaled an astonishing 403 years. The event was attended by myself and other members of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (VBOB) and the Battle of the Bulge Association (BOBA), as well as military historians, dignitaries, and descendants of those who fought in the battle.

The Honorable Luc Decker, Consul General of Luxembourg, and the Honorable Ambassador Filip Vanden Bulcke, Consul General of Belgium, delivered heartfelt speeches expressing their nations’ deep gratitude toward American soldiers. They emphasized the sacrifices made to secure the freedom, sovereignty, and democracy of Belgium and Luxembourg.

Benjamin Patton, grandson of General George S. Patton, gave a moving presentation that included a short film on Tony Vaccaro (83 INFD), who later became one of the most renowned photographers of WWII.

The reception took place at the Luxembourg Consulate General, a historic building once home to Irving Berlin and James Forrestal, the first U.S. Secretary of Defense.

The Battle’s Legacy

The Battle of the Bulge was the largest and bloodiest battle fought by the United States during WWII. The German military committed over 410,000 men, more than 1,400 tanks and armored vehicles, 2,600 artillery pieces, and 1,000 combat aircraft. Between 63,000 and 104,000 German troops were killed, wounded, missing, or captured, significantly depleting their forces. Allied troops, numbering over 700,000, suffered between 77,000 and 83,000 casualties, including at least 8,600 killed. This battle marked Nazi Germany’s last major offensive on the Western Front, and their defeat ensured that they would be on the defensive for the remainder of the war.

A Day of Reflection and Tribute

Earlier that day, a wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Battle of the Bulge Memorial in Wolfe’s Pond Park, Staten Island. Organized by the Consulate General of Belgium, the ceremony was attended by dignitaries and representatives from various military and veteran organizations, including the Battle of the Bulge Association, and Colonel Marc Bouthé, Military Advisor at the Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations in New York.

Honoring Sacrifice Through Words

American Industrial Acquisition Corporation (AIAC) Chairman L. M. Levie contributed a poetic tribute, “In the Shadow of Their Sacrifice,” to honor the veterans in attendance. AIAC and its affiliates, strong supporters of Luxembourg’s business community and members of the Luxembourg-American Chamber of Commerce, played a key role in organizing this event.

Reflecting on the significance of the day, Mr. Levie remarked, “The Battle of the Bulge, like Gettysburg, was a battle of immense sacrifice and loss, but it ultimately shaped the course of history. We must never forget the courage of the American soldiers who fought for the freedom of Europe.”

This solemn yet celebratory event ensured that the legacy of the Battle of the Bulge remains alive, honoring those who fought and those who continue to remember their valor.