Special events and ceremonies 2006

Beyond the 60th anniversary - Luxembourg continues to remember

With the veterans getting fewer and fewer to testify, it is important that their legacy be passed on the fulture generations to ensure continuityof awareness and remembrance in tribute of all the victims of the 1944/45 "Battle of the Bulge".  A number of Luxembourg organizations and associations in cooperation with the AMBA museums have committed themselves to hold year-after-year local commemorations together with the regionalcommunities by hosting a ceremony on that historical key date of the "Bulge" - DECEMBER 16, or shortly thereafter.  As such, a day of events on December 16, 2006 recalled the anniversary date of the beginning of the Bulge, through a series of wreathlayings at meaningful memorials, all attended by local dignitaries and representatives of the American Embassy in Luxembourg.  In summary, they were the following:

December 16, 2006

• 06:00 a.m.: "Night Vigil" ceremony and torch parade at the Hoscheid memorial (5th U.S. Infantry Division), hosted by  U.S. Veterans Friends Luxembourg 
  
  
  
• 09:30 a.m.:  Formal ceremony at the Schumann's Eck (Wiltz) National Liberation Memorial, organized by "National Liberation Memorial Foundation"
  
  
  
  
• 11:00 a.m.: Wreathlaying at the Clervaux' GI Monument, hosted by CEBA
  
  
  
• 03:30 p.m.: Closing ceremony to mark the end of the "first anniversary date of the Bulge" at the Weiswampach U.S. Memorial, organized by AMBA
  
  

December 17, 2006

• 10:00 a.m.: Unveiling of two "December 1944 events" memorial plaques and wreathlaying ceremonies, hosted by the Association of former Grand-Ducal Guards (CAGGD)  in the woods around Beaufort, the former positions of the 60th Armored Infantry Bn/9th U.S. Armored Division
  
  
  NB: CLICK on MEMORIAL PLAQUES for narrative and map  
  
  

December 22, 2006

• 06:00 p.m.:  Floral tribute at "Heiderscheid-Grund" in honor of the 26th U.S. Infantry "Yankee Division" to remember the December 22-23, 1944 counterattack in this sector by units of Gen. Patton's Thrird Army, including the 26. U.S. Infantry Division.  This event also consited of a symbolic vigil throughout the night to December 23, 2006. This combined ceremony, involving the participation of 8 Luxembourg communities and which was well attended by delegations of children, was hosted by  the association of "Friends of Gen. Patton's 26th Infantry Division"
  
  

Luxembourg Minister of Defense, Mr. Jean-Louis Schiltz visits museum

On Saturday, October 14, 2006, the Luxembourg Minister of Cooperation and Defense, Mr. Jean-Louis Schiltz, paid a visit to the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch, where he was welcomed by the Mayor of Diekirch, Mr. Nico Michels, Lt.Col. Gaston Reinig, commander of the Luxembourg Army's Instruction Center (Diekirch army barracks), and the museum staff and volunteers.

Minister Schiltz being briefed on the Luxembourg Army section exhibits by Roland Rach.

For Minister Schiltz, who has held this position only recently after a reshuffling of the Luxembourg Government earlier this year, this was the first visit of the museum. The Minister had expressed to wish to tour the exhibits and get a briefing of the museum's activities and scope, its international relations and future projects. Minister Schiltz was very impressed by the size and dimensions of the museum, the balanced variety of its exhibits and the diversity and richness of its collections. As the political authority of the Luxembourg army, he also took a special interest in the museum's "Luxembourg army" section on the top floors. He was glad to learn that the Luxembourg army's workshops are a vital part of the overall logistical support for the museum and of the smooth interaction between the two institutions.

Minister of Defense, Jean-Louis Schiltz (second from left) together with Mayor of Diekirch, Nico Michels (3rd from left) on Lt.Col. Gaston Reinig and museum staff and volunteers, listening to explanations in the vehicle hall.

He praised the museum's volunteers for their commitment to preserve history and for all their dedicated work to keep the museum going. "You can be sure of my Ministry's support, when feasible", Minister Schiltz stated before signing the museum's "golden book" and saying farewell to the grateful attendance.

Honoring Adj-Maj (+) Raymond Beringer

It is almost a year ago, when on October 10, 2005 the museum lost a good friend and dedicated Volunteer, Adj-Maj. Raymond Beringer

Ad-Maj. Raymond Beringer (+), member of the Luxembourg UN contingent during the Korean war.

retired Luxembourg army NCO and a highly-respected and decorated veteran of the Korean war.

It was due to Raymond Beringer’s initiative and cooperation that the museum was enlarged in 1994 by a small section and diorama portraying the two Luxembourg UN contingents during the Korean conflict 1950-53.   As a participant himself and decorated veteran of “the forgotten war in the land of the morning calm”, Beringer’s research, advice and tireless efforts were very beneficial to the museum’s working team to ensure that ….it should not be forgotten.

For all those year’s thereafter, Beringer remained a reliable and faithful friend of the museum, always at hand when needed and despite a merciless disease that had affected him.

It should be noted that Raymond Beringer had been proposed for a higher decoration in 1953 for heroism, but … somewhat the paperwork fell thru and he was forgotten!  But it is never too late to do well.  So after several close friends had brought his “case” to the attention of the American authorities as of 1995 and after a lot of red tape, his case was finally resubmitted and resulted with Raymond Beringer being awarded the U.S. bronze star with "V" on February 26, 2002 as a token of respect and acknowledgement of a Luxembourg comrade in arms during the Korean conflict.

Beringer remained a modest man, always in service of - and assisting his former buddies. He participated in the 50th anniversary commemorations of the war in Seoul, but thereafter became more and more weakened by cancer and was frequently hospitalized. Even thereafter he continued to struggle, never missed a commemorative ceremony or missing American WWII and Korean War veterans visiting Luxembourg!

When he lost his last battle and passed away on October 10, 2005, his military funeral in Ettelbruck/Luxembourg, was attended by countless Belgian- and Luxembourg Korean war veterans, delegations of Luxembourg military and numerous friends. He is prominently remembered in Luxembourg, especially also by ex-Luxembourg soldiers he trained during his assignment as an infantry NCO in the Luxembourg army after the Korean conflict until his retirement.

Assisted by her daughters Yasmine and Monique, Mrs. Triny Beringer presented to the museum her late husband's decorations on a cushion and his maroon beret with two metal insignia for Belgium and Luxembourg .

Among Adj-Maj. Beringer's numerous Luxembourg-Belgian- Republic of Korea and other miliatry decorations, one of the most prominent ones is the American Bronze Star with "V" (upper row/right), which he only received in 2002.

A year after his funeral, his surviving wife, children and family have decided to offer to the museum his numerous military decorations and this … in line with Raymond Beringer’s last will.  On Tuesday July 25, 2006 during a small ceremony in front of the “Korean war diorama” on the 3rd floor of the museum,  Mrs. Triny Beringer, assisted by her daughters Yasmine and Monique presented a cushion with Raymond Beringer’s decorations, medals and ribbons – on top – the U.S. bronze Star with “V” (for valor) he had appreciated so much. The ceremony was attended by his closest friends from the war, as well as by the Luxembourg army chaplain and several staff.

No other place could be more fitting to honor and remember a true Luxembourg veteran and just a great person and friend.
Raymond, you will be remembered in the community !

60th anniversary + 2 : Bulge veterans return to Luxembourg

The 60th anniversary goes on! On the occasion of the American-Luxembourg friendship week, organized in Luxembourg June 21-26, 2006 by the local association U.S. Veterans Friends, some 20 American WWII veterans, accompanied by their families visited the Grand-Duchy and toured many places of interest, memorials, the military cemeteries, former battlefields and of course the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch.

Most of them were veterans of the 3rd Cavalry Group that liberated parts of southern Luxembourg in September 1944 under them command of LtCol. Polk. Others participated in the "Bulge" as members of the 26th, 28th, 75th, 76th, 83rd, 87th, as well as 101st Airborne divisions. For some of them, it was the first trip back since the end of WWII. This time they were far luckier with the weather, as temperatures on the average went up to the late eighties.

At the Diekirch museum they were welcomed by staff members Col (ret) Guy Lenz, Roland Gaul and Mike Boehler, who escorted them thru the exhibits and responded to numerous questions. To many a veteran – who had long forgotten about daily life back in 1944/45 – the displays and artefacts brought back instant memories. Looking at mess kits, rations, gear and weapons yielded many "foxhole" stories and anecdotes.

John "Jack" R. Emmert, a veteran BAR gunner of the 35th U.S. Infantry Division, who fought near Harlange 44/45, finds his ......

As a token of Luxembourg’s appreciation, all returning veterans were presented with the 60th anniversary medaillon that had been created especially for that occasion.

Before leaving, entire group posed in front of the museum's new staff office.

Museum staff honors Firmin Gaul (1932 - 1993)

On May 20, 2006, the new office space of the museum providing better working conditions for its staff and members of the volunteer working team, was inaugurated in presence of representatives of the Luxembourg Ministry of Culture, the Mayor and members of the Diekirch city council as well as numerous friends and supporters.

Roland Gaul and Mayor Nico Michels unveiling the plaque.

Closeup of the plaque honoring Firmin Gaul.

The new office has sufficient working space and equipment for 4 volunteers to work simultaneously, a meeting room for 12 people, as well as recreational space plus shelving and cabinets for basic reference tools.

Thanks to the new office, the volunteer staff, assisted by three history students over the summer months, will now begin digitalizing its collections of documents, oral histories, photographs, unit records and so on for the creation of a future audiovisual library.

On the occasion of the inauguration the office, the members of the Diekirch historical society – to the total surprise of museum curator Roland Gaul – had him, accompanied by the Mayor of Diekirch, Mr. Nico Michels, unveil a plaque of his late father, Firmin Gaul, former alderman of Diekirch. It was in this capacity that in 1980, Firming Gaul was instrumental in acquiring the “old brewery building” in Diekirch, which houses the present museum. During his career in local politics, Firmin Gaul, was a great promoter of the museum ensuring its step-by-step enlargement.

Group picture of some of the volunteers.

The museum volunteer working team has also recently been enlarged and now consists of : Marc B., Mike Boehler, Yves Claude, Roland Gaul, Charles Heck, Madeleine Peiffer, Roland Rach Jean-Paul Sassel, Marion Schaaf, Christian Scholtes, Jeannot Schreiner. Together, assisted by Roland Lacaf, Guy Lenz, Frank Rockenbrod, they will all be working together work towards enhancing and impriving the quality of the museum’s exhibits.

Volunteers Roland Rach and Marc B.

New Volunteer Jeannot Schreiner.

Belgium and Luxembourg pay tribute to their American liberators

On May 8, 2006 a special Memorial as a lasting tribute by Belgium and Luxembourg to their American liberators during the “Bulge” was inaugurated at Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial “Triumph of Courage” – “From the grateful people of the Kingdom of Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg”, was jointly funded by the two countries.

H.E. Luxembourg Secretary of State for Culture, Octavie Modert, during her address honoring the American liberators.  To her left is Belgian Prime Minister, H.E., Guy Verhofstadt.

In presence of numerous veterans, VIPS, international military authorities and members of VBOB (Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge association), the memorial was unveiled by H.E. Mr. Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium and H.E., Ms. Octavie Modert, Sectretary of State for Culture, Luxembourg, thereafter joined by Mr. Stanley A. Wojtusik, National President of VBOB for the offering of a wreath.

Roland Gaul with Gen. (ret.) Harry W.O. Kinnard, 101st Airborne.

The National Museum of Military History in Diekirch and AMBA were represented on that same occasion by their President, Mr. Roland Gaul in his other capacity as the former coordinator of the 60th anniversary events (2004-2005) in Luxembourg.

Commander, Belgian Air Force, Baudouin Litt , Defense Attaché Office of the Belgian Embassy,  Ms. Monique Thill, Consul of the Luxembourg Embassy and Mr. Roland Gaul , President of AMBA, at the memorial.

The elaborate ceremony had been jointly organized by the Belgian and Luxembourg Embassies in Washington, D.C., as well as by VBOB.

Museum cooperates in temporary exhibit

Flyer "Spuren"

The “Mersch history society” is presently finalizing an interesting and out-of-common temporary exhibit to … go beyond the 60th anniversary. President Erny Kohn and his associates had the idea of mounting a special show featuring all kind of “Bulge” relics and military spoils of war that were transformed by skilled civilians into practical household articles, tools, agricultural implements when supplies were scarce in the WWII aftermath.

As such, helmets were turned into funnels, scoops, ladles, drainers, parachutes were “recycled” as skirts, shirts, underwear, wooden ammunition boxes used for construction wood … just to name a few.

The National Museum of Military History in Diekirch was happy to contribute with artifacts to this outstanding exhibit, the first of this kind in the region.

The exhibition will be inaugurated on March 24, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the town of MERSCH, Luxembourg. Thereafter it will be open to the public on:

An illustrated catalogue underlining the exhibit and describing in greater detail the “recycled” artifacts, is available at the exhibition site.

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN” veterans visit museum

In the context of Black History month, observed every year in the U.S. in February, three distinguished WWII veterans of the famous “TUSKEGEE Airmen” Corps visited the National Museum of Military History in Diekirch on February 22, 2006. Their visit was part of a program organized by Public Affairs section of the nearby “Spangdahlem” (Germany) Air Base in cooperation with the American Embassy in Luxembourg for the three veterans to share their experiences with American, German and Luxembourg communities and audiences. As such, the three veterans took part among other activities in panel discussions with servicemen and high school children.

All three retired Lieutenant-Colonels Bob ASHBY, Lee ARCHER and Asa HERRING flew combat missions in North Africa, the Mediterranean, Italy and France.

The three “TUSKEGEE” veterans (left to right): LTC ret. Asa HERRING, LTC ret. Bob ASHBY and LTC ret. Lee ARCHER during the discussion at the museum’s staff office and visitor center.

After a guided tour of the museum, attended by the Mayor of Diekirch, the three veterans meet with the museum staff to discuss their specific flight missions and combat experiences in support of the 15th U.S. Army Airforce in 1944-45.

Before their left, they were given a special memento recalling the 60th anniversary of the liberation on Luxembourg as a token of appreciation for their personal contributions to allied victory during WWII