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On the morning of Dec. 1, September 16, 1944, German soldiers broke through the fog and snow of Belgium’s dense Ardennes forest to attack outnumbered American soldiers in what is known as the Battle of the Bulge. It was Hitler’s last attempt to win World War II.
My father served in the war. It cost 19,000 American lives and more than 89,000 American casualties, and I just returned from both sides for an official tour of the battlefield to celebrate its 80th anniversary. and personal thanks to the World War II veterans who fought there.
Our visit is a powerful reminder that appeasing dictators never works, and that the United States must continue to stand up to dictators like Vladimir Putin to keep America safe.
Adolf Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany from 1933 until his suicide in 1945. (Getty Images)
By 1944, Hitler knew he could never win the war. But he believed that after many years of war The Allies were beginning to tire. He made one last gamble that if he moved between the American and British armies, He would destroy our will to fight and make us abandon our alliance by agreeing to allow him to keep some of the territory he had conquered in exchange. for peace
World War II heroes, ages 100 and 98, face off in BATTLE OF THE BULGE, now the commander-in-chief of Philly PARADE.
My father didn’t talk much about his service. But sometimes it is implied that various circumstances How difficult is that? The Germans attacked when heavy clouds prevented Allied air cover. In temperatures below freezing and with inadequate equipment The soldiers marched through dense forests and deep, inhospitable snowbanks. Their weapons hardened and the terrible condition known as the derailleur slowed every step. The American line was bent to the point of almost breaking.
But Hitler underestimated the strength, courage, and spirit of the American people. Our soldiers know they must see the war through to the end in order to rid the world of Hitler’s tyranny and preserve freedom. fighting and soon winning the war.
We are hearing echoes of the Battle of the Bulge as Putin pushes further into Ukraine. Trying to divide and exhaust those who love freedom. There is a difference. But the fraught conditions facing Ukrainians today are similar to those faced by the heroes of the Bulge, and also by Hitler. Putin knows that even he can no longer win the war. But he could still win if he defied America’s will to stand against him.
Bored with Ukraine? Remember South Vietnam
Some suggest that America is interested in abandoning Ukraine. They are wrong, even though the war is taking place halfway around the world. But it affects us. Just as Hitler’s invasion of Europe affected my father and millions of people like him.
As Hitler’s strength increased on the eve of World War II He threatened to invade Czechoslovakia in 1938 in hopes of appeasing Hitler and quelling his aggression. British and French leaders then signed the Munich Agreement. by surrendering Czech territory to Germany That alone gave Hitler courage. This enabled him to conquer not only Czechoslovakia. but also invaded almost all of Europe before America entered the war and finally defeated him.
Tyrants like Hitler and Putin value strength and take advantage of weakness. If we abandon Ukraine now Ukraine may be forced into a deal that would only embolden Putin. Tyrants and terrorists in Iran, North Korea, and China will take notice and try to take advantage of what they see as America’s blatant weaknesses.
A better choice is to stand together with our allies to put Ukraine in a strong position to shape its own future. Now is the time to show Putin and our enemies around the world that America’s resolve will never be broken.
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The heroes of the Battle of the Bulge have left us with an important lesson: Tyranny on the march will be turned back only by strength. And freedom belongs to the brave and to the wise. When America entered the war Hitler derived strength from those who refused to confront him when he first came to power.
At the 80th anniversary ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Battle of the Bulge veteran John Foy reminded us that at that point “The freedoms we cherish come at a terrible cost.”
at that cemetery I am honored to honor the heroes of the Bulge by laying a Senate wreath as part of the memorial ceremony. I reflect on how much has changed since 1944 and how the number of surviving World War II veterans has dwindled.
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It’s been 80 years since the last shot of the Battle of the Bulge was shot. It’s been decades since my father asked me at the breakfast table, “What are you doing?” “What did you do for freedom today?”
The heroes of the Battle of the Bulge still call us. Their example of strength and courage still rings true. We cannot be the first generation of Americans to turn our backs on them. retreat before the tyrant and did not listen to their calls
Click here to read more from SEN Maggie Hassan.
