Sherman Tank at McAuliffe Square: At one corner of the Town Center, renamed McAuliffe Square after World War II in honor of General Anthony McAuliffe, sits an American Sherman Tank, a symbol of the victory of the United States Army in the Battle of the Bulge.
Patton Memorial: Just to the southeast of Bastogne on the road to Arlon is a memorial to George W. Patton, Liberator of Bastogne.
Our guide shared a reprint of what has become known as General Patton’s Prayer. It fills an entire page and starts "Sir, this is Patton talking." It continues as somewhat of a monologue explaining to God how the weather has been affecting the battles and pleading "Sir I have never been an unreasonable man, I am not going to ask You for the impossible. I do not even insist upon a miracle, for all I request is four days of clear weather. Give me four clear days, so that my planes can fly, so that my fighter-bombers can bomb. . . give me four days of sunshine to dry this blasted mud, so that my tanks may roll, so that ammunition and rations can be taken to my hungry, ill-equipped infantry." He prays for relief for his troops, the wounded and dying, and the cold and hungry men under his command.
Although his prayer was not totally answered, there were enough breaks in the weather that allowed for some supply aircraft to reach Bastogne with badly needed food and medical supplies.
Patton died on December 21, 1945 as a result of an auto accident in Germany. He had requested that he be buried among the soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge. His wish was honored.
German Military Cemetery: Even though it seemed somewhat curious to me, it was also heart warming to think as we stood and gazed at the 6,807 headstones of those whom we once considered the "enemy", were no different then all the others who lived and died during those dark days. Fresh flowers had been placed in the small chapel at the entrance.
Indian Memorial: In nearby Racogne on a lonely two-lane road just past a meadow of buffalo we found the Indian Memorial. The plaque reads "In loving memory of American Indian Soldiers Fallen for the Liberation of Belgium".
The Peace Woods is the newest of the memorial dedicated at Bastogne. In 1994 on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, the children of Bastogne became the guardians of the Peace Woods. It occupies 6 acres out of a 60-acre forest belonging to the Town of Bastogne. A tree is planted and dedicated to each WW II Veteran who returns to Bastogne. Our guide told us that from the air, the trees form the shape of the UNICEF emblem (Mother & Child). This is one memorial that will continue to grow in size and scope for years to come.