Special events and ceremonies 2003

December 16, 2003 - the 59^th anniversary of the beginning of the « Bulge »

As customary, Luxembourg remembered the beginning of te « Bulge » - 59 years ago on December 16, 2003. As in previous years, a range of ceremonies and commemorative events took place in Beaufort, Hoscheid, Schumann's Eck/Wiltz, Clervaux, and at the Luxembourg-American cemetery.

It was a grey, cold mid-December day, when the various local organization committees jointly remembered that tragic event and paid tribute to the American liberators of 1944/45. Some events were attended by young American soldiers (based in Germany) to witness that Luxembourg has not forgotten and to personally be part of a ceremony many of which will take place in 2004 on the occasion of the 60^th anniversary, when sizeable veteran participation is expected.

As a special token of remembrance, the independant Luxembourg postmen's guild has published a special « commemorative » calendar for 2004, which will be distributed to every household. The calendar also features information on a range of key ceremonies and events to take place in 2004 and beyond.

Mr. Albert Leider presents the first issue of the 2004 calendar to Ambassador Terpeluk, as the Mayor of Clervaux, Mr. Francis Stephany.

Ambassador Peter Terpeluk displaying the « 60th anniversary liberation of Luxembourg » together with artist Roger Klein.

During the reception at the Clervaux City hall after the Dec. 16, 2003 ceremony at the GI memorial, U.S. Ambassador Peter Terpeluk was presented the first issue of the calendar by Mr. Albert Leyder, President of the guild, as well as a watercolor painting of the front page by Luxembourg artist Roger Klein.

Evening wreathlaying ceremony at the American memorial of Osweiler in presence of yound American soldiers.

An evening commemoration at the U.S. memorial of Osweiler concluded that historical day.

Inauguration of the « Military vehicle, artillery and medical equipment » section

June 6, 2003 (D-Day plus 59 years) !

About 150 invited guests and friends of the museum attended the June 6, 2003 late afternoon inauguration of the « extended » vehicle hall.  It was a historical day - both in regard to the  commemoration of the allied landings in Normandy 59 years ago, but also for the museum's team of volunteers, who had struggled very hard to meet the deadline.

It was a special honor for the museum staff to welcome as high-ranking VIPs, U.S. Ambassador, H.E. Peter Terpeluk, Jr. and Mrs. Terpeluk as well as the German Ambassador H.E. Roland Lohkamp.  The presence of both diplomats is line with the museum's key objective: the balanced, impartial and factual documentation of the « Battle of the Ardennes ».

Ann and Mo Schields together with Col. (ret) John Parker, WWII veteran together with U.S. Ambassador Peter Terpeluk Jr, Mrs. Diane Terpeluk and German Ambassador Roland Lokamp (right) during the June 6, 2003 inauguration.

The audience also included numerous officials and key representatives from other « Bulge » and AMBA museums in Luxembourg and Belgium, as well as Presidents of local and regional military vehicle collectors' clubs, American, German and Luxembourg military....

After Mayor Claude Haagen had welcomed the guests, curator Roland Gaul retraced the step-by-step developments of the museum in his address and also briefly touched on future projects.  In light of the upcoming 60^th anniversary, the National Museum of Military History, together with its partners and friends from AMBA and other associations, will give its full support to the joint effort to welcome veterans in 2004/2005 and cooperate on a range of commemorations and activities to ensure the « passing of the torch » from the veteran community to future generations in the spirit of reflecting on the past to promote friendship.

Roland Rach explaining in detail the new exhibit -- especially the medical set-up. Left to right: Claude Haagen, Mayor of Diekirch; Jean-Luc Gonner, 1st Alderman; Roland Rach, Marco Schank, Member of Parliament.

Gaul also highlighted the interest in the museum and the recognition of its educational and transatlantic friendship-fostering friendship by the United States and Germany.  He concluded his address by thanking all the contributors and sponsors, who have made the vehicular exhibit possible, including the current armed forces of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States (for the generous donations of historical museum property), as well as key Luxembourg administrations, the city of Diekirch and especially the volunteers :  Jean-Paul Sassel, Roland Rach, Mike Boehler, Lionel Ronck, Christian Scholtes, assisted in special tasking by : Charles Heck, Jeannot Schreiner, Carlo and Sonja Offenheim, Guy Wagner, Robert Clam and Madeleine Peiffer.

Mr. Aloyse Mutsch, President of the "Luxembourg Military Vehicles Collectors Group North - Super Sixth" (www.mvcgfrance.org) from Wincrange/Luxembourg accompanied by his wife and board members, presenting a special memento to the museum: A 1944 GI figure chiselled in native Luxembourg slate stone..

Georges Daubenfeld, alias "Mr. Wau", long-term collector and supporter of the museum, cooling off with a chilled "Diekirch beer", as the temperature during the inauguration inside the vehicle hall was close to 28 degrees Celsius on this June 6, 2003, blessed by the Luxembourg early summer!.

Roland Rach then gave a detailed presentation of some of the new exhibition highlights including selected heavy U.S. wreckers, German 15 cm Infantry gun, German anti-aircraft searchlight, U.S. water purification station, U.S. White Scout car M3, German 2 cm Flak 30, selection of German artillery ammunition, ....just to name a few ....  He especially highlighted  the new diorama showing a U.S. emergency surgical station together with ambulance, medics, chaplain  and selected military medical equipment.  Through this special exhibit, the museums wants to pay tribute to the life supporting efforts by military medical units and staff (both American and German) during the « Bulge », whose primary task consisted in saving lives ... military and civilian.  In this context, it should be noted, that the displayed U.S. ambulance was partially funded by a group of senior Luxembourg citizens who were operated and treated in 1944-45 in American field hospitals after suffering wounds during the « Bulge ».  By supporting the museum, they meant to pay tribute and document their gratitude towards the U.S., especially to Col. Frank Frazer, then U.S. Chief of Civilian Affairs, who had arranged for wounded Luxembourg civilians being admitted to U.S. military hospitals.

Black GI of a U.S. front-line maintenance company.

A U.S. field surgeon, assisted by a nurse, is examinating a head-wounded casualty to decide on further treatment.

Close-up view of one set of a variety of displayed U.S. 1944-issue field surgery equipment.

Close-up view of the new exhibit: Two U.S. medics unloading stretcher with wounded German soldier for examination in U.S. medical clearing station.

Another, albeit a more sad and thoughtful display, is featured by the reconstitution of a 1945 field grave and burial sit of an American and German KIA soldier, side by side.  Both graves were marked then by the respective helmets on top of the rifles pushed in the ground by their bayonets, as a marker.  There were hundreds of similar graves in the Luxembourg and Belgian Ardennes, when the battle was over in late January 1945.

All in all, there are a lot of new displays to discover at the Diekirch National Museum of Military History.  Projected future exhibits will feature military communication and ciphering equipment, as well as with a special 60^th anniversary exhibit showing « recycled » military hardware used in the immediate post WWII years in civilian households as makeshift and out-of-necessity artifacts.

Canadian Defense Chief of Staff visits museum

On invitation by COL Nico Ries, current Chief of staff of the Luxembourg army, General Raymond Hénault, Chief of Staff of the Canadian Department of Defense, was recently visiting Luxembourg for a series of meetings and talks. The overall program also featured visits to several key local sights, including the National Museum of Military History. Although in regard to the museum's main theme "the battle of the Bulge", no Canadian troops fought in the Luxembourg Ardennes in winter 1944/45, the museum nonetheless has several "Canadian" connections, which are the following.

During World War II, from all those young Luxembourgers that had escaped the grip of forced conscription during the German occupation, a handful joined as "allied soldiers" Canadian forces and fought with them until the end of WWII.

General Hénault and staff listen to explanations. On the right is Col. Nico Ries, Chief of Staff, Luxembourg army.

For a short period - pending a decision which rifle model to choose as the standard individual weapon - the post 1945 "new" Luxembourger conscription army had partially commissioned the Canadian Ross rifle in .303 calibre. The model displayed at the museum is a donation of the "Canadian Armed Forces Museum" in Ottawa.

Finally, most of the current standard extreme cold- and winter equipment of the present Luxembourg army is of Canadian manufacture, such as snowsuits, snowshoes, pup tents, rations...

At the end of his visit, Gen. Hénault presented a special memento plaque to the museum and signed the VIP guest book.

Museum honors Capt. Luke A. Johnson (+)

On March 20, 2002 while preparing for landing after a night exercise, Capt. Luke "Stiff" A. Johnson of 32nd Fighter Squadron/52nd Fighter Wing (based at Spangdahlem AFB, Germany), was killed as his F-16AC fighter crashed in the woods near.... Luke Johnson was a great and long-term friend of the museum, often bringing visitors and escorting small tours and parties of friends and relatives to familiarize them with the "Bulge".

He was a strong supporter of American-German-Luxembourg friendship by jointly remembering the common painful history.

On the initiative of the late Capt. Johnson’s godfather, Mo Schields, another long-term friend and supporter of the museum, Mrs. Angie Johnson (herself a captain in the U.S. Air Force) and other family members, as well as his friends of 52nd Fighter Wing, offered a selection of personal belongings of the unfortunate pilot to the museum.

LTC Steve Kempf, Commander 32nd Fighter Squadron, Spangdahlem AFB honoring the late Capt. Luke Johnson in his return address.

As a special tribute to American-German-Luxembourg friendship, which Luke Johnson was a firm believer in and to honor himself, the museum staff has created a small exhibit in the middle of its large "vehicle section".

Capt. Angie Johnson, wife of the late Capt. Luke Johnson and Col (ret) John Parker, USAF veteran after the unveiling of the small memorial exhibit

During a small intimate ceremony, Mrs. Johnson, assisted by Mo and Ann Schields unveiled the exhibit on memorial day (May 26, 2003) in presence of COL (ret). John Parker, a U.S. veteran of the 457th Bomb Group/8th USAF, living in Luxembourg, Fred Karen, Roland Rach, Jean-Paul Sassel, Mike Boehler, Lionel Ronck, Christian Scholtes, Roland Gaul of the museum staff, LTC Steve Kempf, 32nd Fighter Squadron Commander and numerous friends of Luke Johnson.

He will be remembered as a great friend.

German Ambassador visits NMMH exhibits

On March 6, 2003 German Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Roland Lohkamp, who arrived in Luxembourg in October 2002, paid an official visit to the National Museum of Military History.  Ambassador Lohkamp was accompanied by the German military attaché for Luxembourg, Lt. Col. Jürgen Haffner.

The visit of the two high-ranking German guests is in line with the museum's tradition to give a lively and factual presentation of the « Battle of the Ardennes » to newly-accredited American and German diplomats in Luxembourg to learn more about the dramatic events when history divided our nations, almost 60 years ago.

Escorted by Col. (ret.) Guy Lenz and Dr. Marc Rosch of the museum's board, as well as by curator Roland Gaul, the two distinguished visitors had many questions on the variety of the exhibits, especially about the human dimension incorporated in the numerous dioramas.  Both highlighted the importance of oral history accounts in an effort to jointly preserve and remember the painful past.  They also recognized the museum's efforts in bringing together veterans from former opposed sides to meet there as friends and to organize special guided tours for school classes and students to pass on the legacy of the war years in Luxembourg.

Ambassador Lohkamp and Lt. Col. Haffner welcomed to the museum by Col. (ret.) Guy Lenz, Roland Gaul and Marc Rosch.

Curator Roland Gaul did not forget to thank the German Ambassador for his Embassy's long-term support for the museum.  (NB : The RSO tracked prime mover, displayed in the museum's vehicle hall, was entirely restored by the German army's mechanical shop in St. Wendel, thanks to the assistance of the German Embassy and Ministry of Defense.  A similar project with the museum's wrecked VW 188 « Schwimmwagen » is presently being implemented as a further token of  official German support).

In light of the upcoming 60^th anniversary of the « Battle of the Bulge » in 2004/2005, the three museum board representatives also briefed Ambassador Lohkamp and LtCol Haffner on the museum's projected activities to organize a series of  commemorative events.  In addition, reference was made to AMBA, the Belgian-Luxembourg association of « Bulge » museums (where NMMH is a founding member of), which intends to coordinate and host similar events in Belgium and Luxembourg to jointly commemorate the « Battle of the Bulge ».

High-ranking « Memorial Day » ceremony visit in Luxembourg

Since the inauguration of the Luxembourg-American cemetery in Hamm, it has become a tradition for the American-Luxembourg community to jointly pay tribute to all those GIs that have found their final resting place in Luxembourg and to silently remember their sacrifices made during the September 1944 - February 1945 liberation of the Grand-Duchy.

The very elaborate ceremony, organized by the American Embassy in Luxembourg customarily takes place on the weekend prior to the actual American Memorial day holiday and draws large crowds. It consists of a series of address and speeches by high-ranking American and Luxembourg civilian-, spiritual- and military dignitaries, "missing man formation" fly-over by F16 aircraft from nearby Spangdahlem Airforce Base, 21-volley rifle salute, taps, musical and vocal presentations and wreath-laying in front of the 5076 white marble crosses that have all been decorated the day before with an American and Luxembourg flag, as well as an individual rose, offered by grateful Luxembourgers.

This year's ceremony was enhanced by the presence of U.S. Under Secretary for veteran affairs, the Honorable Dr. Leo S. MacKay, who was also amongst other the key guest speaker.

Left to right: Roland Gaul (NMMH); Robert Harmon; veteran U.S. 80th Inf Div; MG Bowra (U.S. Army); U.S. Ambassador Peter Terpeluk; Dr. MacKay; Under Secret. Christopher Burnham; Marc Rosch (NMMH); Mrs. Karin Breuskin (Diekirch Tourist board); Col (ret) Guy Lenz (NMMH) pausing in front at the museum's entrance..

Dr. MacKay had been invited by U.S. Ambassador Terpeluk to attend the ceremony to personally witness how Luxembourg remembers. He was accompanied by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Burnham and Major General Bowra (U.S. Commd/Brunssum).

Although running on a tight schedule, Under Secretary Mackay and his party also visited the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch, where the staff gave him a detailed presentation of the historical facts of the "Bulge" in Luxembourg. He was also briefed on the projected activities to observe and commemorate the 60^th anniversary, where numerous U.S. veterans are to be expected (some travelling together with their children and grand-children) in both Luxembourg and Belgium. In that regard all Luxembourg and Belgium-based "Bulge" museums will work together with the coordination of AMBA to give support to a variety of activities planned by key towns and associations.

Dr. Mackay was impressed by the lively presentation of the museum and promised his support to help in a mutual transatlantic effort to pay tribute to all those who gave their lives for freedom and to honor all those who served.

Wallendorf Westwall fortifications revisited

A frequent GI veteran visitor to Luxembourg is Prof. Robert Harmon then a member of 2^nd Bn 3419^th Rgt, 80^th U.S. « Blue Ridge » Infantry Division, who crossed the Our river during the U.S. initial assault on mainland Germany in early February 1945 after the « Bulge ».

Prof. Harmon visited Luxembourg and the areas of his former division's action again in early April, 2003 to also meet with the « Lanners » family at Hoesdorf, with whom he had become close friends since those dramatic 1945 events.

To Prof. Harmon's surprise Nic Kraemer, husband of Charlotte Lanners (one of the 7 « Lanners » children), had gathered the entire family and had lined up 3 original WWII U.S. army vehicles to show the former liberator around.

Well wrapped-up Prof. Robert Harmon (ex 2n Bn/319t Rgt) together with members of the « Lanners » family and friends, exploring the Hoesdorf plateau in a correctly-stenciled 80tInf. Div. jeep.

Escorted by museum curator and historian Roland Gaul, as well as Mrs. Mariette Atten and Renée Schloesser of U.S. veterans' friends Luxembourg, Bob Harmon revisited the border area around Wallendorf to take a closer look at the remaining Westwall fortifications. It turned out that some of the bunker ruins were quite familiar to him, as his unit had either attacked, destroyed or bypassed them in early 1945. This story is featured on tourstop signpost number 17 of the « Bulge Trails » Hoesdorf/Wallendorf circuit.

To the grandchildren of the « Lanners » family, this was a living history lesson and a special family event related to transatlantic friendship.

« So God will, I will be present for the 60th anniversary of the « Bulge » in 2004/2005 » said Prof. Harmon who was presented with a special book « Thank you America » as a token of long-lasting friendship by the « Lanners » family during a closing reception at the Hoesdorf community center.

As a special memento of appreciation, the « Lanners » sisters presented Prof. Harmon with a dedicated and autographed copy of « Thank You America », describing in detail the very special Luxembourg-American friendship as an outcome of WWII.

Luxembourg Army recruits explore former battlefield

About a hundred young Luxembourg army volunteer recruits upon completion of their 6-months' basic training period recently visited parts of the combined "Bulge trail" on the high grounds above Hoesdorf and Reisdorf. The outdoor "living history" class was a recent initiative of the Luxembourg army Headquarters and the Diekirch military instruction center to supplement the traditional guided tour of the museum.

Luxembourg Army recruits on the "Hoesdorf" plateau trail.

Having gained a basic knowledge of small unit tactics, live and survival in the field during their basic training, the guided tour of the former 1944/45 battlefield, was a welcome opportunity for the young soldiers to draw their own personal comparisons and conclusions.

The snow, sleet and icy rain on that February 5, 2003 afternoon certainly added a realistic dimension to the factual historical explanations given in detail by museum curator Roland Gaul. Many a young Luxembourg soldier realized what both young Americans and young Germans went through, when the battle raged in this sector more than 58 years ago.

On the Defense line positions overlooking the Our river valley.

Of special interest to the class, commanded by Lt. Joel Faltz and assisted by sergeants Patrick Placidi and Claude Theisen, were probably the numerous individual "foxholes" and positions, dug-out by American GIs in late 1944 in the woods and underbrush overlooking the Our river and the German border area. Exploring the (partially flooded) inside compartments of a German pillbox near Wallendorf, Germany, also left an impact and increased the overall awareness of a soldier's life on the front line.

Exploring a German "pillbox" above Wallendorf.

The exposure to this chapter of contemporary on-site military history concluded the basic training cycle for the large class of male and female recruits who will be sworn in during the February 10, 2003 graduation ceremony, thus making them privates and fully-fledged members of the Luxembourg army.