BITCHE, France -- Four WWII veterans from the 100th Infantry Division returned to France and Germany to participate in events commemorating the armistice of 1945, victory in Europe, the liberation of Lemberg, Germany, Bitche and Rimling, France in early May 2015. Col. Martin Schulz of the 100th Training Division (Operations Support) attended on behalf of Brig. Gen. Jason Walrath, the 100th TD (OS) commander.
The 100th TD (OS) is a WWII legacy division originally activated as the 100th ID in 1942 under the command of Maj. Gen. Withers A. Burress after the attacks on Pearl Harbor.
In October of 1944, the 100th ID deployed to Europe and encountered 185 days of uninterrupted ground combat while serving in three major campaigns; the Rhineland, Central European, and Ardennes-Alsace. The campaigns produced three 100th ID Medal of Honor recipients, one of whom is Technical Sergeant Charles Carey who attended the ceremonies.
2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Bitche, France, an experience and battle that will forever remain in the hearts and minds of 100th ID veterans and French citizens. During their visit the veterans enjoyed a concert at the auditorium Éspace Cassin, tours of museums and cemeteries, and vibrant celebrations of the armistice at the monuments honoring the war dead in each city.
The ceremonies continued with a church service that was translated in English, followed by a ceremony in front of the Bitche town hall. Attendees included, elected representatives of the region, U.S. Air Force color guard, and a French color guard and troops. The commander of the French Mechanized Infantry Battalion stationed in Bitche, along with a 100th Division representative, conducted a review of the troops.
The French Secretary of Defense, the mayor of Bitche, as well as Ms. Amy P. Westling, the U.S. General Consul in Strasburg, France all spoke at the event. Participants also placed wreaths at the monument dedicated to the war dead. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the dignitaries approached the veterans to personally thank each one individually for the sacrifices they made and for honoring the village with their attendance.
The official day of the armistice was a busy one for the veterans. They convoyed from their hotel to various sites and cities in WWII vehicles driven by volunteer re-enactors dressed in uniforms from the appropriate periods.
"Time may be taking its toll, but our memories of why we are here remain vivid and clear," Schulz said in a speech he delivered in English and French to the veterans, their guests, and local nationals. "We are bound today by what bound us seventy years ago; namely, the same loyalties, traditions, and beliefs."
"We are also bound by today's reality," he added. "The strength of Europe is vital to the United States and to the world. Our continued trans-Atlantic friendships are essential to the continued freedom of Europe's democracies. We were with you then; and we are still with you now. Your hopes are our hopes, and your destiny is our destiny."
Although, the mission has changed over time, the 100th Training Division (OS) will always remember and honor its rich history. The 100th Training Division (OS) extends its deepest gratitude to all veterans this memorial day. Train em' Tough!
Today's 100th Training Division (OS) is an US Army Reserve unit, headquartered at Fort Knox, Ky., and is responsible for training Military Intelligence, Signal, Cyber (Formerly Signal), Civil Affairs, Military Information Support Operations (formerly Psychological Operations), and Health Services Soldiers for the US Army Reserve. The division conducts specified Military Occupational Skill-Reclass, Non Commissioned Officer Education System, Officer Education System, and functional training in direct support of stated U.S. Army Reserve Command and Training and Doctrine Command missions and objectives, and is prepared to support specified Training Base Expansion and/or Theater Security Cooperation missions. During mobilization, the 100th Training Division (OS) provides instructors and other personnel to augment U.S. Army Training Doctrine Command proponent schools.
(excerpts pulled from http://www.the-century.org)
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