Saturday, September 7th was a day where Belgium people were present to remember the sacrifices of young US servicemen, fighting to liberate Belgium in 1944. Two ceremonies took place that day. The first ceremony was organized in a little suburb of Liège, close to the Meuse River.
The L-5 observation plane, belonging to the 153rd Liaison Squadron, 67th Reconnaissance Group, flew a mission on September 8th, 1944 over theMeuseRiver area, when it was attacked by +/- 15 Me-109s.
Last year, the Belgian “Fort de Flèmalle” association organized a small remembrance ceremony, but the names of the two killed soldiers were unknown since the day their plane crashed.
Patrick Brion, a Belgian army NCO, started researching the history and on Saturday, September 7th 2013, two new stones were unveiled, with the names of the soldiers.
S/Sgt Kenneth C. Mikeman, the pilot, still buried at the Henri-Chapelle cemetery in Belgium and LtCol Thomas T. Thornburgh, buried in Arlington, will never be forgotten. In a moving ceremony, in the presence of local dignitaries, Major Sidoti (US Embassy Brussels), Adjudant Patrick Brion and the members of various associations, the monuments were unveiled. The presence of the USAF Spangdahlem Honor Guard added even more symbolism to a great morning of remembrance.
In the afternoon, another important ceremony was held at Rencheux, Vielsalm, a place where during the harsh winter of 1944, the last German offensive struck hard. The 82nd Airborne Division, with its excellent combat record in Italy, Normandy and the Netherlands, was rushed into the Battle in Belgium, starting December 18, 1944.
A and B Companies of 1st Battalion 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment plus attached elements of 307th Airborne Engineers and 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, all belonging the famous “All American” 82nd Airborne Division kept the road bridge open for the 7th Armored Division and the remains of the 106th Infantry Division, allowing them to form a new line of defense.
After the safe withdrawal of some 15.000 men across the Rencheux road bridge, the three bridges at Rencheux were blown. The defending units of the 82nd Airborne Division withdrew on Christmas Eve. In January 1945 Vielsalm could welcome the same units again, clearing the area of the enemy.
The monument that was unveiled by the city of Vielsalm and members of the C-47 Club organization shows two plaques, honoring the soldiers who defended the bridge; and a second plaque for the soldiers who were able to cross the bridge. In the presence of many guests and the Spangdahlem Honor Guard, the ceremony came to its end.
A day like this shows that the people of Belgium remain committed to remember the sacrifices of the US soldiers, who came to liberate the country.
Article and photos submitted by Patrick Brion
