Courtesy Photo | Brig. Gen. Daniel Christian, 95th Training Division (IET) Commanding General, and...... read more read more
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By 1st Sgt. Gary Hightower
95th Training Division (IET)
METZ, France - This past November, Soldiers of the 95th Training Division (IET) headquartered at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, traveled to Metz, France, to participate in the 70th Anniversary commemoration of the Liberation of Metz during World War II. Fourteen World War II Veterans of the 95th Infantry Division and their families, and other dignitaries also attended the events.
Among the 95th Division Soldiers in attendance were Brig. Gen. Daniel Christian, commander of the 95th Training Division (IET), Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Hill, the division’s most senior enlisted Soldier, and Color Guard comprised of drill sergeants currently serving in the division. The distinguished guests included retired Maj. Gen. James Archer, president of the 95th Division Association.
The 70th anniversary commemoration was held over several days to show appreciation and honor the members of the then-95th Infantry Division who fought several battles in 1944 to end the hostilities and return the city of Metz and the Lorraine region back to the citizens of France.
The first ceremony was held on Thursday, Nov. 20, in the city of Maizieres les Metz where the Soldiers of I Company, 377th Infantry Regiment, 95th Infantry Division seized the fortified Brieux Château. During the ceremony, former Pvt. Ceo Bauer delivered a speech about two fallen Soldiers who fought alongside him during this battle. He was there to represent them and their families. A school was built near the battle for Brieux Château and children from the school, who attended the ceremony, carried American and French flags in their hands. The children lined up along the street and greeted the Soldiers and veterans with handshakes and high-fives.
The second ceremony on the first day was held in the city of Woippy, France, where all the attendees were greeted by the Mayor Francois Grosdidier and many city residents.
On Nov. 21, the 95th Training Division Soldiers and veterans were given a tour of the motor pool of the Club Lorrain de Vehicules Militaria Allies 95th I. D. U. S. by the club president, Tehirry Becker and the Veterans were given a tour in the restored World War II vehicles. World War II Veteran, Tony Vittiglio, recalled the story of his unit driving vehicles night and day with only blackout lights from Saarlauten, Germany, to Bastogne, Belgium. There was a Soldier sitting on each fender of the vehicles to direct the drivers when driving at night. Each Soldier would spend 20 minutes sitting on the fender in the freezing rain and snow then rotate to the back for other Soldiers to warm them.
Later that day the 95th Division contingent travelled to Metz where they attended a religious ceremony at the Synagogue of Metz held by the Jewish community to honor the Soldiers of the division.
On Nov. 22, the morning commemoration was held at the American Eagle Monument, which is the location of the first lives lost in the liberation effort. During this ceremony the 95th Division’s Color Guard and the French Color Guard marched together. The dignitaries at this ceremony included Christian, Archer and Lt. Gen. Patrick Ribayrol, the military governor of Metz. All of these men placed wreaths at the monument. Blake Fuller, a foreign exchange student from Georgia Tech, assisted Christian with the wreath laying.
For the evening ceremony, the veterans and dignitaries of Metz traveled to Boufflers Square to plant a North American Oak Tree at the Lafayette Statue. This was followed by a concert played by the Lorraine National Symphony honoring the Liberators of Metz and French-American friendship.
On Nov. 24, a wreath-laying ceremony was held and the 95th Division Color Guard and Veterans visited the grave site of Medal of Honor recipient Staff Sgt. Andrew Miller. At the grave site, retired Col. John Komp told the story of how he personally requested Miller to be transferred to his unit after hearing that he graduated first in his class during bazooka training.
The last event was a trip to Sarrelouis, France on Nov. 25, where Roland Henz, the mayor of the city, greeted the Soldiers of the 95th Division. At Sarrelouis, World War II Veteran Paul Madden Jr. told a story about how his battalion helped seize the bridge.
Archer said that this was his third time attending the commemoration of the anniversary of the Liberation of Metz, which is held every five years. He said this was the most compelling and emotional of the three.
“The emotion was more than I have seen at the last two reunions because I think these veterans feel in their hearts this is probably the last opportunity they are going to have to come where their combat was and to honor their comrades that didn’t make it home,” Archer said.
Christian said that as the current Soldiers of the 95th Division walked the same grounds of Metz, Woippy and Crehange, the veterans remind us of the fight for freedom and the lives lost for the freedom France now enjoys.
“We are indebted to the Veterans for their heroism and the pursuit of freedom on foreign soil. Our lineage is strong and we cannot forget the Soldier who came before us so that we can continue that legacy for future generations to come,” Christian said.
| Date Taken: | 11.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.22.2014 10:15 |
| Story ID: | 150905 |
| Location: | METZ, FR |
| Web Views: | 514 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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