HomeMy WebLinkAboutBattlefield Tour 2005Third Issue 2005
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Checkerboard editor Bill Meyer addressed
a large audience of Germans, Americans,
Belgians, and others during the 60th an-
~~ niversary VE Day ceremony at Remagen.
Meyer also addressed the group gathered
for the 40th and 50th anniversaries and at
the end of the 60th anniversary ceremo-
ny was told by German officials, "We'll
see you in 10 more years."
CheC1CeT~0aTfI - 99th Infantry Division Association
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- CB editor speaks Axe
at German ceremony
marking VE Day + 60
Checkerboard editor Bill Meyer was one of a.
the main speakers at the ceremony May 8 at °"~`~~ri
Remagen, Germany, celebrating the 60th an- "'°"
niversary of the end of the war in Europe as
well as crossing of the Rhine.
The 9th Armored, 78th Infantry, and 99th ;,; ~';,
Infantry Divisions were the original troops '""`r'
who crossed the Ludendorf railroad bridge
and established a bridgehead on the east side.
More than 500 troops and high ranking of-
ficers from American, German, and Belgian
forces, well as government officials, were
present at the ceremony.
Hans Peter Kurten was in charge. Selec-
tions from Joseph Hyden and Ludwig von
Beethoven were played by a string quartet.
Meyer represented the "average GI" who
fought in Europe. His talk was the only one
made without text, which observers noted
and stated it "came from the heart."
He also represented the United States Army
during similar festivities 10 years ago at a
50th anniversary observance.
At the end of the ceremony, Herr Kurten
told Meyer. "we'll see you again in 10 ,years."
99ers and friends
take a trip to Europe
Two busloads, 63 people, visited Europe in
May to observe the 60th anniversary of VE
Day and visit the Ardennes.
Fifteen were 99th Infantry Division veter-
ans on a Battlefield Tour, accompanied by rel-
atives and friends.
At Remagen they observed the 60th an-
niversary by participating in an elaborate cer-
emony sponsored by Germans, with Hans Pe-
ter Kurten, former mayor of Remagen, in
charge.
A large delegation of soldiers from the
American First Infantry Division attended, as
well as diplomats, political figures, and histo-
rians.
Speakers included German officials, Amer-
ican businessman and economist Andrew
Denison, many other dignitaries, and
Checkerboard editor Bill Meyer.
Meyer introduced himself as the lowest
ranking soldier and only fully certified non-
hero of World War II.
He reflected on his unit crossing the Rhine
and later how he witnessed the collapse of the
bridge, taking the lives of 28 engineers and
MPs who bravely became casualties.
Meyer briefly discussed world events since
WWII and asked for greater support for Amer-
ica's mission in Iraq.
He pointed out that what America is doing
in Iraq, is much like the action of heroes in
combat - "it had to be done, and we're doing
it."
The 99th Battlefield Tour group went on to
Belgium to visit foxholes in the Ardennes, led
by Belgian friends "the Diggers."
They also visited the Remember Museum
of Mathilde and Marcel Schmetz where they
enjoy a bountiful meal and refreshments in-
cluding Mathilde's apple wine.
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The twin east bank towers of Ludendorf Bridge stand silently now. At one
time they linked Remagen and Erpel on the Rhine until the bridge fell on St.
Patricks' Day in 1945. B.O. Wilkins stands next to extra-large dragon's teeth
at the Siegfried Line. Foxholes, now lined with pine cones, still are visible af-
ter 60 years. GIs returning to the M&Ms' Remember Museum leave their
names on the walls. The 14 veterans on the tour pause at the site of the 99th
Memorial Monument at Krinkelt. Marilyn Wilkins, wife of B.O. Wilkins, peeks
from a German fortified sentry box at the M&Ms' museum. Solemn tribute is
paid to all who lie in Henri Chapelle American Cemetery, for they are the true
heroes of the Battle of the Bulge. Veterans visit the Losheimergraben Cross-
roads, the site of a monument erected in recognition of the I st Bn/394, which
received the Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for valor in action there
Dec. 16- 17, 1944. Belgian veterans stand at attention at the monument near
Lanzerath which recognizes the 394th I&R Platoon's heroic stand there on
Dec. 18, 1944.