WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) attended a bipartisan Senate delegation trip to Belgium and Luxembourg to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. On Monday, the Senator Capito and her colleagues joined members of the House of Representatives at an official ceremony at the Mardasson Memorial near Bastogne, Belgium, marking this occasion.
Senator Capito and U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) participated in events surrounding this milestone including meeting with U.S. veterans who fought at the Battle of the Bulge.
“As the daughter of a WWII veteran, this trip was a personal one for me,” Senator Capito said. “75 years ago, many Americans lost their lives fending off the German offensive during the Battle of the Bulge, and these efforts ultimately paved a way to end the war five months later. Having the chance to visit this historical location was a powerful reminder of the heroic actions of the Allied Forces that protected our democracy.”
On December 16, 1944, the Germans launched their last major offensive campaign during World War II. The attack surprised Allied Forces in the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxembourg. Outnumbered, facing record-low temperatures and dwindling supplies, the Allied Forces on the frontlines dug in to defend against the German army. The battle lasted for six long weeks. More than 89,000 American soldiers were casualties including 19,000 soldiers killed, 47,5000 wounded and 23,000 captured or missing in action.
The valiant efforts of Allied Forces made possible the surrender of Nazi Germany in May 1945.
Senator Capito introduced a resolution commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. The resolution passed the senate last week and can be viewed here.
Keep scrolling for photo highlights from the trip and click here to download additional photos.
# # #