CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- People from around the world will gather in Bastogne, Belgium, Dec. 15 to 16, to commemorate the 74th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. U.S. Army Garrison Benelux service members, leaders, and community members, from young to old, will participate in the anniversary events.
The 41st Bastogne December Historic Walk, which will occur Dec. 15, will bring the participants in the footsteps of the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge. During this edition, participants will walk through the sector of Mande-St-Etienne.
Many re-enactor groups will participate in the walk or line up along the different routes to reconstitute some Battle of the Bulge scenes.
Participants have the choice between three distances: 7, 14 and 20 kilometers. Participation is €6 per person. Registration and payment are on-site only Dec. 14 from
3 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Dec. 15 from 7 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Walkers depart from the Sports Center of Bastogne, between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Rue Gustave Delperdange. Participants will receive a certificate of participation, a free hot beverage along the route, a map of the walk, a historical booklet, and a souvenir patch.
In addition to the walk, a patriotic parade will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday as well as a wreath-laying at the Patton and McAuliffe monuments. In honor of Army Brig. Gen. Anthony McAuliffe's famous quote "Nuts!," nuts will be thrown from the city hall balcony at 4 p.m.
On Sunday Dec. 16, there will be a reenactment on Quartier Latin from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., and a parade of military vehicles at 3:30 p.m. There will also be a wreath laying at Enclos des Fusillés and at General Desorby plaque at 11 a.m. From 11 a.m. to to 4 p.m., veterans will be present, among them is 101st Airborne Division veteran Vince Speranza.
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