Tricia's German Experience: I Bleed Red, White, and Blue!

Scott in front of the Luxembourg American Cemetary and Memorial

Luxembourg American Cemetary

The top line in the cluster of green arrows up near the top of the map depicts the position of the 83rd Infantry Division that my great uncle was assigned to.

Scott in front of General Patton's grave

Talk about an amazing weekend. Yesterday, Scott and I were able to take a tour to Bastogne, Belgium to see some of the famous WWII battle sites, namely the Battle of the Bulge. Our morning began with a bus trip to the American National Cemetary in Luxembourg. What an amazing place. I've always thought of myself as someone who appreciates the sacrifices others have made on my behalf to secure my rights and liberty, but going to that cemetary was a very spiritual experience, and I truly walked away with new eyes.

The highlight of the trip for me, was being able to learn more about the brave men, including my Great Uncle Robert Burkett, who fought so hard to ward off the major offensive of the German Army there known as the Battle of the Bulge. My uncle was killed in action on November 23, 1944,Thanksgiving Day, which was just a few weeks before he was scheduled to come home. It was pretty amazing to learn so much about the bravery of the men in my great uncle's division- The 83rd Infantry Division, which was part of General George S. Patton's Third Army.

We went on to visit the actual forest where the fighting took place, where some of the foxholes they fought in are still there. I can't even imagine what it must have been like, sitting in a dirt hole in the bitterest of cold, with artillary raining down in a constant barrage all around me.

The final stop was the headquarters of Brigadier General Anthony MacAuliffe of the 101st Airborne Division in Belgium. Since the regular commander was away at a conference, General MacAullife was the acting commander. The German Army, under a flag of truce, requested that the 101st surrender because the Germans had them surrounded. General MacAuliffe's famous reply was just one word-"NUTS". The one word reply was typed up by an aide and given to the German envoys. They were confused at this answer, and asked if it was in the positive or the negative. The American courier told them that in simple English it meant "Go to heck".
The Battle of the Bulge was Germany's largest offensive attack in on the western front. Thanks to the bravery and determination of those amazing young men, the Germans were beaten back, severely depleting their supplies, crippling their ability to gain any of their intended objectives, and ultimately allowing Allied Forces to finally bring an end to the war.
I'll have to admit that initially, I wasn't super excited to spend the day looking at "war stuff", but I truly feel blessed to have been able to better understand exactly what happened, and the blessings that I've received directly as a result of their sacrifices. God Bless America!