We spent a day in the Bastogne area with a guide, Robert Remacle - Pecheur.  He was so enthusiastic and very knowledgable about the Battle of the Bulge in the Bastogne area.  The southern shoulder of the Battle of the Bulge has been portrayed in the Band of Brothers series.  The 101st Airborne and other support Divisions were surrounded by the Germans as they marched northwest to their ultimate objective.  This story is an iconic history of the bravery of one of the US Army's finest units.  The battle was 4 German Divisions against the one US Division.  Luck and fortitude played significant roles in the ultimate defense of Bastogne at the terrible loss of lives and casualties on both sides, including civilians.  Below are some photos of the day.  Dad's unit fought on the northern shoulder, which as about 30 miles away. 

Bastogne as a city is beautiful.  It has been rebuilt and is thriving.  The tourism industry around the Battle of the Bulge contributes to that economy.  It has a museum dedicated to the the Bulge and the defense of Bastogne that should be seen by every American.  It portrays the battle in detail, and gives the attendee a sense of what it must have been like to be in an artillery barrage or survive in a basement while the war is going on around you.  They have a memorial, called The Mardasson, that is breathtaking.  If the museum and memorial were somehow transported to Washington DC, it would have millions of visitors each year.  Both of these attractions were well attended in Bastogne, however. 

Bastogne is remembered in part by General MacAullife, who led the 101st in the defense of the City.  The main square of the town is the center of activity for the city is called MacAullife Square.  The City is nicknamed "The Nuts City", after the famous quote by MacAullife when asked by the Germans for his surrender.

Another famous quote that was made in Bastogne was by a soldier from the 101st that said (something like):  "The Germans have us surrounded . . . those poor bastards."

We also toured Foy, which is a small community on the outskirts of Bastogne, which was made famous in the Band of Brothers as the town that was attacked after an artillery barrage.  We saw Jack's Forest, where the barrage occured, and the foxholes and shell holes that still remain there.  It was moving to see the actual battle site.