June 22, 201313 yr Yes, we are, in fact, in Luxembourg tonight to help them celebrate their National Day.  Much partying in the streets and a super fireworks (unless it gets rained out) tonight.On the way here, from Brussels, we had the opportunity to visit the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Bastogne.  Very few times have I experienced the feelings of awe that I felt here.  Sure, Arlington Cemetery and the Punch Bowl in Hawaii are inspiring, but this was something different.  Our heroes fought and died right here on there grounds.  Pictures can be found on my Belgium Gallery and a short video of the grounds can be found here.  (It's about 100meg so give it time to load - depending on your internet speed)From there we visited the Bastogne Barracks where the 101st Airborne resided in 1944.  Again, we were walking on historic grounds.  An hour and a half tour of the barracks, the radio room, Gen McCaullif's office and rooms with artifacts.  Great stuff.Want to tear up, watch the Cemetery video.Out for now.
June 22, 201313 yr Fred, awesome visit, thanks for sharing man. I am watching the videos now, thanks!
June 22, 201313 yr Hallowed Grounds, I've spent a lot of time in that region both on mission and on vacation.Â
June 23, 201313 yr Author "ON Mission"? Â You must know that area a lot better then just the few hours we had. Â We also visited the Batogne Barracks (home for Gen Taylor during WW II). Â Working on the pictures and naratives. Â Will let y'all know when they are up.Rick Parks said:Hallowed Grounds, I've spent a lot of time in that region both on mission and on vacation.Â
June 24, 201313 yr Fred please do keep us informed of the videos and images you are putting up, great stuff sir!!!Fred Wilson said:"ON Mission"? Â You must know that area a lot better then just the few hours we had. Â We also visited the Batogne Barracks (home for Gen Taylor during WW II). Â Working on the pictures and naratives. Â Will let y'all know when they are up.Rick Parks said:
June 24, 201313 yr For about 7 of my years I served as a Security Driver and Protective Services Detail for General Officers in the Army, I participated in a few "Staff Rides" to that area, the conferences were about the Battle of the Bulge. We were based out of Clarvaux, Luxembourg. The Monuments and Cemeteries around that area, (especially in Bastogne) are very proper and dignified.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clervaux Also, did you get to visit a German Army Cemetery while you were in the region? You don't hear much about them; very plain, orderly and dignified.  Â
June 24, 201313 yr Author Rick - we did not get to visit the German Army Cemetery due to time constraints.  When one studies about WW II in that area and then being able to actually put my feet that ground, I am very humbled as to the job our forgotten heroes had endured.Regarding the whirlwind weekend trip, we visited Fort Thüngen, then on to Trier, Germany which is the oldest German town with its Roman remains.Pictures and commentary have now been posted.
June 25, 201313 yr Great Fred!!!!! Keep us in the loop, love the pictures!!!!I would have loved to see what your seeing, and the old German town with the Roman remains, wow!!!!!I am so happy you guys are having such a great time Fred.Fred Wilson said:Rick - we did not get to visit the German Army Cemetery due to time constraints.  When one studies about WW II in that area and then being able to actually put my feet that ground, I am very humbled as to the job our forgotten heroes had endured.Regarding the whirlwind weekend trip, we visited Fort Thüngen, then on to Trier, Germany which is the oldest German town with its Roman remains.Pictures and commentary have now been posted.
June 26, 201313 yr Author Here ya go guys - a great trivia question regarding the 2nd World War.Which of the commanding US Generals during the war is NOT buried in the United States?General Dwight D. EisenhowerGeneral Omar BradleyGen. George PattonGen. McAuliffeGen. Maxwell TaylorFredaka Pop's Shopwww.pops-shop.com'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'Scroll Saw Forum Host
June 26, 201313 yr Fred, you forgot to add, no googeling!!!!! And without searching, I am going to say Patton? For some reason I feel like he was buried in Italy?Fred Wilson said: Here ya go guys - a great trivia question regarding the 2nd World War. Which of the commanding US Generals during the war is NOT buried in the United States? General Dwight D. Eisenhower General Omar Bradley Gen. George Patton Gen. McAuliffe Gen. Maxwell Taylor Fredaka Pop's Shopwww.pops-shop.com'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'Scroll Saw Forum Host John MorrisThe Patriot Woodworker
June 27, 201313 yr Author OK - NO GooglingCome on, gang, where is your adventurist spirits?Fredaka Pop's Shopwww.pops-shop.com'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'Scroll Saw Forum Host
June 27, 201313 yr I'm guessing Old Blood and Guts Patton.Ron DudelstonSite AdministratorAbove and Beyond WoodWorks
June 27, 201313 yr Author OK, I will no longer keep y'all in suppence: The verbage below is taken from - http://www.heroesatmargraten.com/the-death-of-general-george-s-patt... When General Patton took over Fifteenth Army from General Gerow, he also inherited Gerow’s driver, PFC Horace Lynn Woodring.   Like Patton, Woody loved to drive fast. Once they even bounced over some railway tracks to skirt a roadblock. They had a ball watching the faces of the surprised M.P.’s, watching the general’s sedan bumping and bouncing on the tracks. General Patton’s fondness of Woodring might be explained by the happy go lucky lifestyle of the brash youngster. With his Third Army taken away from him, his fighting friends reassigned mostly in the U.S. and the depressing and political situation in Germany, he could use all the laughs he could get. Of course Patton demanded perfection, and Woodring performed. In fact, Patton asked him to be his civilian chauffeur when he retired in a year. Woodring accepted, although due for a discharge. Four days before the accident, Woody re-enlisted for one year to continue his service to Patton. Major General Hobart R. Gay, Patton’s loyal Chief of Staff, and Colonel Paul D. Harkins persuaded Patton early that morning to go hunting.....  During that ride, a  2,5 ton 6x6 GMC truck, which was driving in the opposite direction, all of a sudden made a left turn towards the quartermaster depot. The driver, 20 year old T/5 Robert L. Thompson from Camden, New Jersey, made no hand signal, something both generals remarked, and Woodring (Patton's driver) had no chance to avoid a collision. With about 30 mph Woodring crashed into the truck, crushing the right front fender. Gay had time to ‘sit tight’, but Patton was thrown forward and most likely hit his head on the railing above the rear of the driver’s seat.  In the hospital, Patton was diagnosed with a severe dislocation of the vertebra and a bad scalp wound. He was paralyzed from the neck down. Patton lived for several days after the accident, but died peacefully in his sleep from complications of his injuries. The official cause of death was pulmonary edema and a congestive heart failure. In his letters to his wife, Patton made it known he preferred to be buried among his soldiers in Europe in case he would be killed. Beatrice selected the U.S. Military Cemetery at Hamm, Luxembourg. There he was buried on December 24 1945. Fredaka Pop's Shopwww.pops-shop.com'Soooooo many patterns - sooooo little time'Scroll Saw Forum Host
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