Remembering WWII, Remembering Our Soldiers Today

General George S. Patton, commander of the U.S. Third Army, gave a Christmas message in 1944 on a wallet-sized card to every serviceman under his command:

“To each officer and soldier… I wish a Merry Christmas. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We march in our might to complete victory. May God’s blessing rest upon each of you on this Christmas Day.”

The American and German armies were deep in the Battle of the Bulge, the last German offensive of the War.  Patton’s Third Army fought its way through to relieve the Americans desperately fighting to defeat the attacking German forces.  The winter was one of the coldest on record and storms rendered the Allied air power was useless.  Patton turned to the Lord for Divine help and prayed for good weather.

The skies soon cleared and Allied air power was unleashed on the attacking Germans. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 101rst Airborne Division made a heroic stand at Bastogne from December 20-27 which helped turn the tide of the battle.  On December 25, a packed midnight mass was held in Bastogne, with Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe, who commanded the 101rst troops at Bastogne, in attendance.  Afterwards the General listened to German POWS singing Silent Night.

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