Today is the 68th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, the largest land battle of World War II.

Those veterans of World War II who fought over in Europe during the war will remember the start of the Battle of the Bulge as the Allied forces fought the advancing Germany Army as they attacked though the countries of Belgium and Luxembourg.

The good people of Belgium and Luxembourg will never forget as they, too, remember what the American forces did to push the German Army back to where the Battle of Bulge started after six weeks of hard-fought battle.

During this six-week battle the American Army suffered more than 91,000 causalities, of which 19,000 people were killed in action.

Our St. Louis Gateway Chapter Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge will be remembering the start of the battle. We are set to have our annual memorial ceremony at the Royale Orleans Banquet Hall at 10 a.m. as we pay tribute to those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge and who have died over this past year.

W. Kent Stephens

Collinsville