Latest Luxembourg Royals News - Page 10

gaggleofcrazypeople · #**181** 12-16-2004, 04:54 PM

Ok. I was getting confused.

hillary_nugent · #**182** 12-16-2004, 05:13 PM

Well now that Christmas is here how do you think the LRF will celebrate??? Do they hold any functions for the public each year? like an annual Christmas ball or something?

bad_barbarella · #**183** 12-16-2004, 06:59 PM

ooooooooh to be at that ball ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

elenaris · #**184** 12-16-2004, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaggleofcrazypeople

I don't wan to be mean, but JC doesn't look so good.

Has she been ill or something,????

BMC · #**185** 12-16-2004, 07:21 PM

She has been treated for lung cancer. I don't know how she is doing though.

hillary_nugent · #**186** 12-16-2004, 07:27 PM

lung cancer? golly hope everything's going fine she is lucky she is royal though she can afford all the best treatments.

bad_barbarella · #**187** 12-16-2004, 08:51 PM

:( did she smoke?

bad_barbarella · #**188** 12-16-2004, 10:53 PM

By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service

LUXEMBOURG, Luxembourg, Dec. 16, 2004 -- Citizens of Luxembourg and Belgium joined veterans of the Battle of the Bulge here today to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the opening day of the battle and to honor the 19,000 U.S. soldiers who died during what proved to be one of the largest and bloodiest encounters of World War II.

Snow-covered crosses honor 5,000 fallen U.S. servicemembers at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial. Photo by Bill Miles
(Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.

In the cold, fog-shrouded Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, the veterans paid tribute to 5,000 of their comrades buried here following what Luxembourg Prime Minister Jean-Claude Juncker acknowledged were their "most terrible days."

Juncker praised the "courageous young men" who endured what many said felt like overwhelming odds to free Luxembourg from five years of German occupation. "This is a day to pay tribute and to show our deepest gratitude," he told the veterans.

The prime minister vowed to pass the story of the courage demonstrated by the U.S. military on to future generations. "We must never forget" the debt Luxembourg owes the United States for "the sacrifices made by young American GIs" on its behalf, Juncker told the veterans and their families.

U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg Peter Terpeluk delivered a proclamation from President Bush thanking the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge for their critical role in defeating Nazi Germany and freeing Europe from tyranny. "When it mattered most, the entire generation of Americans showed the finest qualities of our nation and humanity," the president wrote.

George Checken, president of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge organization, spoke for his fellow veterans during the ceremony in recalling "those dark days when we stood together and fought toward victory."

He called the 60th anniversary of the battle's opening day a fitting time "to pay homage to our comrades who made the supreme sacrifice" and told his fellow veterans, "We know you have not forgotten them."

Checken said the veterans of the Battle off the Bulge will also never forget the tragic scenes they witnessed -- nor the friendships they forged, between soldiers and between nations. "Thank you for remembering us," Checken told the Luxembourgers and Belgians at the ceremony. "We will never forget you."

The ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial included a 21-gun salute by the Luxembourg army and a wreath-laying to honor the fallen veterans of the Battle of the Bulge.

A flyover initially planned for the ceremony was cancelled due to thick fog. Ironically, U.S. air support for ground troops during the first days of the Battle of the Bulge was scrapped 60 years ago because of similar inclement weather conditions.

The ceremony here was among dozens of commemorations today throughout Luxembourg and Belgium observing the opening day of the Battle of the Bulge. The first events began at 5:30 a.m., exactly 60 years after 250,000 Germans launched their surprise attack on Dec. 16, 1944.

Earlier today, Secretary of the Air Force Jim Roche and Luxembourg's two crown princes, Prince Guillaume and Prince Felix, participated in a memorial service at Schumann Crossroads, one of the bloodiest sites of the Battle of the Bulge.

A National Liberation Memorial at the spot honors the U.S. soldiers who endured three weeks of brutal fighting at the spot as they worked to loosen the German army's grip on the strategic crossroads, and the thousands who died there.

Pierre Brosien, president of the National Liberation Memorial Association, recalled "the scene of horror" many Battle of the Bulge veterans lived through at the site and thanked them for their bravery and endurance.

"We were lucky to be liberated by you," agreed John Milmeister, secretary of the National Liberation Memorial Association. "Thanks to you, we in Western Europe are living in liberty and prosperity."

Nico Loes, mayor of Schumann, thanked the veterans for "your courage, your determination and your tenacity" in freeing Luxembourg from oppression. "We owe you one of the most precious commodities on this earth: freedom," he said. "Luxembourg will never forget what you have done for us."

"We live in freedom because of you," Roche told the veterans gathered at the memorial, noting that they hold "a place of honor in the history of civilization" that continues to inspire others today

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge called today's ceremonies a time of reflection and healing.

Alfred Grossenbacher, a private first class with the 28th Infantry Division during the battle, called his visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial an opportunity to honor his fallen comrades. "I thought the loss and the pain was over, but it's not," he said, tears welling up in his eyes. "They're the ones who allowed me to come home."

Michael Samberg, a private with the 26th "Yankee" Infantry Division during the battle, said he's worked through the sadness and the apologies he feels toward his comrades who died. "Now I'm here to honor them and their memories," he said. Looking back, Samberg said he's proud the actions he and his fellow soldiers took at the Battle of the Bulge. "When I look back at the contribution I was able to make, I feel that in some little way, I helped to make the world a better place," he said.

bad_barbarella · #**189** 12-16-2004, 10:56 PM

Photo 1- Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge endure conditions much like they faced 60 years ago to the day during a 60th anniversary commemoration ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, Dec. 16. Photo by Bill Miles

Photo 2- Battle of the Bulge veterans gather at Schumann Crossroads on Dec. 16 to honor thousands of their comrades killed during three weeks of fighting at the strategic crossroads in Luxembourg. Photo by Donna Miles

bad_barbarella · #**190** 12-16-2004, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_barbarella

Earlier today, Secretary of the Air Force Jim Roche and Luxembourg's two crown princes, Prince Guillaume and Prince Felix, participated in a memorial service at Schumann Crossroads, one of the bloodiest sites of the Battle of the Bulge.

they said the crown princes... isnt guillaume the only one?

anyone...

msfroyste · #**191** 12-17-2004, 03:03 AM

it's a pitty there weren't any pics of the guys :(

drimal · #**192** 12-17-2004, 04:16 AM

I have found some pictures of this event, the 60th remembrance day of the Battle of Bulge, the Ardennes Offensives, the last battle of the nazis in World War II which caused many victims in December 1944!

In my newspaper there are plenty of pictures of the remembrance ceremony with Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess, Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume and Prince Felix. Unfortunately I cannot share them with you because it is difficult to scan them in my computer.:(
Perhaps the magazine Telecran which arrives next Wednesday will post some pictures on the web. But for now I have found these pictures of the event on the web!

The title site of Le Quotidien shows Henri, Maria Teresa, Guillaume and Felix.

On the two pictures the most below (in this silly bmp form!) you can see Guillaume.

msfroyste · #**193** 12-17-2004, 06:28 AM

thanks for the pics, drimal :)

hillary_nugent · #**194** 12-17-2004, 07:29 AM

thanks for the pictures Drimal ^__^ YAAAAAAY Guillaume is back!!! ^___^

bad_barbarella · #**195** 12-17-2004, 01:31 PM

thanks drimal :)

gaggleofcrazypeople · #**196** 12-17-2004, 10:47 PM

Thanx Drimal! It has been so long since I have seen my future husband!

hrhcp · #**197** 12-18-2004, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bad_barbarella

Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge endure conditions much like they faced 60 years ago to the day during a 60th anniversary commemoration ceremony ....Dec. 16.

Seems to me that the 60 anniversary celebrations are more poignant than those marking the half century !?!

bad_barbarella · #**198** 12-18-2004, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaggleofcrazypeople

Thanx Drimal! It has been so long since I have seen my future husband!

hehehehehehe

rere · #**199** 12-18-2004, 06:04 PM

Drimal, thanks for the photos.
I think these are from the commemoration ceremony at the American military cemetery in Hamm. Both boys are visible in the pictures. Let me know if I am wrong. You are a big help on this board.

The four pic is Hereditary Grand Duke Guillaume at the 2004 Autumn Fair. I found this statement "The Autumn Fair is one of Luxembourg’s major events and runs till Sunday October 24th inclusive."
What is the The Autumn Fair?

Is a high-ranking U.S. official visiting Luxembourg next year?

ReRe