Willkommen in Deutschland!

We have finally arrived in Germany. Well, this evening anyway. Before our 3 hour turned almost 5 hours bus ride, we had to make a few more stops in Belgium. Our first stop was a memorial dedicated to General Patton. Patton was in command of a tank battalion during the war. During the Battle of the Bulge, the city of Bastone was surrounded by the Nazi forces. The 101st Airborne was able to hold out in the sub zero temperatures with limited visibility, little ammunition, and little supplies for first aid or the cold. After several weeks of being completely surrounded, General Patton was able to break through to Bastone and save the 101st, although to this day the 101 says they didn't need saved.

After visiting the monument, we went to a museum about the Battle at Bastone, which was only built in 2014. Inside, we were given a headset that played different audio tracks depending on where we were in the museum. The audio followed the lives of four people who were involved in the battle. A German solder, an American solder, a young woman, and a small boy. As we traveled through the museum, the battle drew near, until we were in the middle of it. We then followed each of them throughout the siege of Bastone. There were also two fifteen minute movies about the battle, one about the offensive itself, and one about Patton. The museum really showed me just how how crucial of a role the 101st played in stopping the German offensive.

Once we left the museum we went to a forest next to a cow farm, and no, i'm not joking, Just inside the forest were the remains of foxholes dug by the 101st 72 years ago. They were partly filled in, and had vegetation growing in them, but it did give a good representation of what it must have been like for the solders to try to survive, with the exception that when we were there it was about 75 degrees too warm. I know one thing, I'm glad they didn't surrender and were able to hold out despite the odds. In fact, the German commander offered them a change to surrender. The American commander,
Anthony McAuliffe, replied simply with "Nuts."

Afterwords we had lunch and took a bus ride to Frankfurt, Germany. on the way we had to take a detour, and then a detour for that detour, and then a detour for the detour for the detour. And then we took yet another detour. What was supposed to take three hours took almost five. After dinner, we went into the old town center to see the historic looking buildings, most of which were rebuilt after the war. It was quite a unique experience to see ancient design on one side, and then see a skyscraper right next to it. It shows just how much times have changed.

Only three more days until we are home. This week has gone by in a flash. I'm sad that it's coming to a close, but at the same time I am thankful for all of the memories I have made. Not only with the museums and the monuments, but the new friendships I have gained. I think i speak for everyone, Kansas included, when I say that we thank you for giving us this once in a life time opportunity. The memories we make here will carry with us for the rest of our lives. In 10 years, there may be no veterans left to share there story, no one to thank or shake their hand. All that will be left will be the memories of those who went and talked to them, who went and visited the cemeteries, the statues, and the museums. Because of this trip their sacrifice will always be remembered and honored for what it should be, nothing more, nothing less.