A Walk in Bastogne, 1945: Part II

Two years ago, Jon and I participated in our first Bastogne Historic Walk and I chronicled it in the blog as "A Walk in Bastogne, 1945." You truly get the feeling you are stepping back in 1945 experiencing the way life was for the soldiers during the infamous Battle of the Bulge. The day after our friends, the Polkas, arrived, we embarked once again on another journey back to 1945 to explore Bastogne through the eyes of the many American soldiers who fought there. 

Two soldiers (re-enactors) running along the Historic Walk

In addition to Allison and JW, our friend Jeff came with us and we met up with Jon's brother, Neil, and his daughter, Sybil, in Bastogne. Allison and I participated in the shortest walk, 8 kilometers, while the rest did the full distance, 17 kilometers. During this time, you pass by several WWII encampments, portrayed by local re-enactment groups.

At the end of the Historic Walk, before entering the city of Bastogne

 It is incredible to see the vast number of authentic WWII uniforms, equipment, weapons, and vehicles as part of the display. The re-enactors take their jobs very seriously, as they don't break character attempting to provide a real depiction of their living standards and behavior during that time; drinking out of tin cups, cooking over an open fire and smoking Lucky Strikes.

Re-enactors in Bastogne

Jon, Neil and Sybil posing next to the half-track

Cemetery for fallen German soldiers

Soldiers on watch next to their fox-holes

During our walk, Allison and I were admiring a vehicle, when the driver asked us to come on board for a glass of strawberry wine. How could we refuse? 

After our walk, Allison and I had lunch and browsed the shops of Bastogne while we waited for the others to finish. Once all together, we took part in the "nuts-throwing ceremony" - an homage to General McAuliffe's single-word reply to a German surrender ultimatum. Just as he passionately said "Nuts," nuts are passionately thrown from the mayor's balcony to the crowd below to close the day's events. 

Our Posse before the parade

Jon, Sybil and Neil proudly displaying their nuts

This is truly such a special and unique occasion, and I'm so happy we were able to share it with our friends and family. It is an important reminder of this heroic battle fought by the American forces in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII.

A modern-day soldier with his cub-scout son