Battle of the Bulge anniversary observed at Museum of American Armor

Tanks from the Museum of American Armor and members of the Long Island Living History Association recently presented elements of World War II’s Battle of the Bulge that occurred this month some 81 years ago, followed by prayers offered by clergy for the 18,000 Americans who died holding off a massive Nazi counterattack the winter of 1944. 

Pastor Christian Cederstrom donned a GI helmet to face a semicircle of halftracks carrying visitors and living historians to offer words of remembrance and reflection.

“Against overwhelming force, in bitter cold and brutal uncertainty, soldiers stood their ground.

At Bastogne and beyond, surrounded yet unyielding, they answered the demand to surrender with courage sharpened to clarity. 

We honor those who fell in that long winter—American, Allied, and all whose lives were consumed by war.

We honor their sacrifice, and we remember them not as numbers, but as lives held dearly and given fully.”

Award-winning meteorologist Craig Allen followed the field program with a briefing to visitors on how weather played a crucial role in defeating Germany’s last desperate assault on Allied troops.

“While much attention is appropriately focused on the D-Day landings, this program is meant to keep alive the enormous sacrifice of American GIs in the closing months of World War II,” said Armor Museum founder and president Lawrence Kadish. “Few appreciate the courage and valor required in turning back Hitler’s last desperate throw of the dice. This program seeks to reinforce our knowledge and appreciation.”