Belgium closing down several barracks leads to...

I also need to share with you how much the Belgian people are appreciative of all you vets did to help their freedom.  At present, a special group  are trying to preserve the WWII 101st Airborne Division HQ in Bastogne which is expected to be closed due to the Belgian Minister of Defense closing the Bastogne barrack.  It is in that barrack, in one of its cellars, that General McAuliffe answered “NUTS” to the Germans in December 1944.  (Do you remember this?)  That historical marker is a living testimony of the sacrifices of our (the Belgians) liberators and all the people who fought for our freedom during World War II.  If you know anyone who will be in Bastogne in December to celebrate the 65th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, please visit the “Nuts Cave”.  For more information contact REG JANS at reg.jans@telenet.be

The Belgian Minister of Defense , Pieter De Crem , decided to close down 23 military camps by 2011. One of the camps is the 'Heinz Barracks ' in Bastogne , home of the 1st Field Artillery Regiment , deployed in Afghanistan . It was in these barracks where Brig Gen Anthony McAuliffe has set up his HQ for the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle for Bastogne . Here is where McAuliffe wrote his world famous reply 'NUTS' to the German demand to surrender on 22 dec 1944. This place , the NUTS-Cellar is a historical marker maintained by good people from the Belgium army , like eric Lemoine and Michel Marecaux , who spent a countless amount of free hours to preserve this place . The Heintz Barracks has been visited by many WWII veterans over the past years ... Medals from city council were presented here and still many heroes come back to visit the barracks on their pilgrimage ... The minister thinks of taking the place down and build a State Prison there . I hope we can start to fight back to preserve this historical marker. I do believe we owe it to the brave men of the greatest generation to preserve their legacy and do whatever we can to "SAVE " the "NUTS "- cellar ....

A campaign has been launched to save the historic Bastogne military barracks in the Ardennes.

It follows Defence Minister Pieter De Crem’s decision to close 23 barracks across the country by 2011, including the so-called ‘Heinz’ barracks at Bastogne where US general Anthony McAuliffe had his headquarters during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944.

The move has caused a storm of protest among US veterans and others. Howard Gutman, the new American ambassador to Belgium, has been urged to intervene.

The barracks is the home of the Belgian 1st Field Artillery Regiment, currently deployed in Afghanistan and also houses a small museum dedicated to the sacrifice made by US and allied troops.

The Battle has special meaning for American war veterans as it was seen as a key turning-point in the war.

From December 16, 1944 to January 25, 1945, a snow-covered Bastogne was encircled by German troops. Within the town were US soldiers, including the 101st Airborne Division, commanded by McAuliffe, whose HQ was in a cellar of the barracks earmarked for closure.

It was from here on December 22, 1944 that the German commander sent McAuliffe a note demanding the Americans surrender, to which McAuliffe famously sent a terse reply which read, “Nuts”.

The German offensive ended in failure and, with more than 19,000 deaths, the Battle of the Bulge became the single biggest and bloodiest battle US forces experienced in World War Two.

The barrack’s museum has been preserved by two retired Belgian soldiers, Eric Lemoine and Michel Marecaux. Their guided tours are popular, particularly among visiting US and British war veterans.

A Belgian government defence department official said the decision to shut the barracks had “not been taken lightly”. Its possible conversion into a prison would help cope with an acute shortage of prison spaces, he said.

A source at the US embassy to Belgium said it was “too early” to say what action could be taken but added, “We are aware of these plans and obviously understand the disappointment that is felt.”

But the move has sparked a massive outcry, particularly among bloggers on internet forums. One blogger, Reg, wrote, “I hope we can start a fight back to preserve this historic site. We owe it to the brave men of the greatest generation to preserve their legacy.”

Stan Pratt wrote, “My father fought in the Ardennes. The Belgian population doesn’t forget the efforts of Americans but the Belgian government apparently does.”

Another, Alexander, said the barracks was also important to the local economy as a tourist attraction.

He added, “Hopefully, history-loving people everywhere will generate enough opposition and send a message to De Crem." That message, of course, should say: “Nuts.”

Done

Rattler

Hah! I didn't see your directions until I had already filled out the registration, I only got my names backwards so thats not too bad.