Battle of the Bulge veterans visit monument on campus

“This is undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war, and will, I believe be regarded as an ever famous American victory.”  — Winston Churchill

The Battle of the Bulge Association held a wreath laying ceremony at the National Battle of the Bulge Monument on Valley Forge Military Academy & College’s campus Sunday, Sept. 22.

Valley Forge Military College President Col. Stuart B. Helgeson, USMC(Ret) and our staff and cadets were honored to take part in the ceremony.

“Eighty years ago in a bitter cold European winter, American soldiers faced overwhelming odds. They endured hardship, sacrifice and unimaginable conditions, yet their courage and resolve turned the tide of the war and secured the future of freedom,” Valley Forge Military College President Col. Stuart B. Helgeson, USMC(Ret) said. “Today we are especially humbled to be joined by veterans of that historic battle. Your presence is a living testament to the grit, determination and selfless service of the Greatest Generation.”

The Battle of the Bulge, which took place in the forested Ardennes region of Belgium, was the last major German offensive campaign on the Western Front during World War II. It was called the “Greatest American Battle” of the war as American soldiers are lauded for their effort in holding off the German forces.

The monument, which was dedicated in 1994, honors veterans of the battle and their allies from Luxembourg and Belgium. 

Among those in attendance on Sunday were two Battle of the Bulge veterans, Joe Landry and Jake Ruser, who are both 100 years old. 

“Years and years later it sinks in,” said Mr. Ruser, who served as a combat medic. “When you’re young, you don’t think about a lot of that kind of stuff, medals don’t mean anything. But as you get older it starts meaning more to you, and you start remembering and thinking about things.”

When the Battle of the Bulge Monument was first dedicated on campus, it served as the first and only memorial of its kind to recognize the allied nations of the United States, Belgium, and Luxembourg. It still features a wall displaying their flags and country names behind the monument. 

Embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium Defense Attaché Brig. Gen. Bart Verbist took part in Sunday’s ceremony.

“Today as we stand before this monument, we are reminded that history is not just written in books,” Brig. Gen. Verbist said. “It is carved into the very lives of those who served. Every name, every story, every sacrifice made in those frozen forests continue to speak to us. They remind us that freedom endures because brave men and women are willing to defend it.”

More than 2,500 VFMAC alumni served in uniform in WWII, including 72 who died in service.

Eric Fisher Wood Jr., a 1937 Valley Forge Military Academy graduate, was one the heroes of the Battle of the Bulge. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and the Purple Heart. He was also awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre, the Belgian Knight’s Cross, and the Order of Leopold I with gold palm.

Hugh Roberts, a 1956 Valley Forge Military Academy graduate, recently published a book on Lt. Wood titled I Guess I’ll Start My Own War: A Personal Crusade for Freedom. Mr. Roberts was also one the speakers at Sunday’s ceremony.

You can watch a recording of the ceremony here: https://youtu.be/4nCF2zGQtxY?si=0Ts-_Hqfo_muzzBw