[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1313-E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

ADDRESS OF MAJOR GENERAL PETER ANDRYSIAK

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HON. JOE WILSON

of south carolina

in the house of representatives

Thursday, December 19, 2024

Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, inspiring remarks were
presented by Major General Peter Andrysiak EUCOM Chief of Staff on
December 14, 2024, for the Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the
Battle of the Bulge at Luxembourg American Cemetery. Americans are
grateful for the proven competence of the American military.
Good morning, Grand Duke Henri, Grand Duchess, King
Philippe, Queen Mathilde, Prime Minister Frieden, Speaker
Claude Wiseler, President Roberta Metsola of the European
Parliament, Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, Ambassador
Nelson, Secretary Djou, honorable Members of Congress,
Ambassador Thomas Barrett, Commissioner Matthew Jones,
distinguished guests, allies and partners, and most
importantly, to our honored veterans that are with us here
today, welcome today this sacred place we gather to honor the
legacy of those who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. And
it's a privilege to stand here among you in this solemn 80th
anniversary, a moment to reflect on the courage and sacrifice
that secured freedom that we cherish today. 80 years ago, in
the depths of the Ardennes winter on the ground that we stand
on, bore witness to extraordinary courage and unimaginable
sacrifice. Young soldiers faced not only a relentless enemy
fire, but also the freezing temperatures and the snow-covered
terrain against the possible odds, they stood firm, not just
for their own countries, but for the liberty of millions.
Their fight was for something greater, a vision of a Free
Europe and a better future. And so today was we commemorate
their bravery, we reaffirm our gratitude for their sacrifice
and the unity that made victory possible. For me, this
commemoration is profoundly personal. My parents, like many
millions in Europe, endured unimaginable horrors of World War
Two. My father, orphaned by the Nazi tyranny when his mother
was put in prison, was liberated by the Allied Forces who
fought here in the Ardennes. His father, a man I never knew,
perished in a concentration camp. My mother and her family
were forced out of the Sudetenland and into forced labor
camps and eventually granted refugee status in Germany. But
the journey was a grueling one, and her father never survived
it. Another man that I never had the opportunity to know. So
these tragedies, like so many others, were the reality of
life under the oppression during the war, yet their
liberation and the liberation of millions came at the hands
of Allied soldiers that we honor here today. Their courage
gave my parents and countless others a second chance. They
made it possible for me to be standing here in front of you
today. Millions endured similar struggles, and millions owned
their liberation to the soldiers who fought here. Their
courage changed the course of history, not just for families
like mine, but for entire nations. The Battle of the Bulge
tested allied resolved under extreme conditions, and in
December of 1944 the German Army launched a massive surprise
offensive through the Ardennes, creating the infamous Bulge
of the Allied front lines. Nowhere was this more evident than
at Bastogne, where Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe in the
101st Division held the line against overwhelming odds,
encircled and under siege. McAuliffe and his men faced
relentless attacks under freezing conditions, and when the
Germans demanded surrender, everybody knows the story that
McAuliffe his famous statement ``Nuts!'' the Defiance became
a rallying cry for the beleaguered defenders and a symbol of
American and Allied determination and victory at Bastogne was
marked by a turning point in the battle. It was the end of
any German offensive, but it came at a high cost. Over 75,000
were killed, wounded or captured, but their sacrifice endured
that the march toward liberation would continue. The people
of Luxembourg endured the occupation, suffering and loss
during the war, yet they also witnessed liberation brought by
Allied forces who risked and gave their lives in these very
fields. Luxembourg has shown remarkable dedication to
honoring those who fell here and through the care of this
Cemetery and others like it, you remind us of the enduring
bond forged between the nations in the crucible of war. And
your commitment endures with your with you being your
presence here, as these sacrifices are never forgotten. I've
had the good opportunity and good fortune to be at a number
of the American Battle Monuments, cemeteries, and I'm always
in awe of their splendor? They're pristine. They're powerful,
you know. And as we stand here, as you look behind me, 5,076
headstones, both Latin Crosses and Stars of David, were
reminded of the extraordinary courage and the sacrifice of
those who rest here, farmers, factory workers, teachers,
students, fathers, brothers, sons and sisters and daughters,
and they came from all walks of life, all races, and united
for a common cause, the defense of freedom. Each marker is
perfectly aligned and oriented westward toward home, a
poignant remember of the enduring connection that these
heroes shared with the nation that they fought to protect,
even in eternal rest, they faced the families who awaited
their return but never got to see them again. The Wall of the
Missing on both sides of the tent consists of two walls
inscribed with the names of 371 service members whose remains
were never recovered. And these walls standing in solemn
symmetry symbolize the connection between those who fought
and those who remain to honor their sacrifice. And then,
though their bodies are absent, their memory endures as a
testament to the cost of liberty. And at the center, right,
or back here behind us stands the small chapel, a place for
reflection and reverence, and the description in their reads
their name liveth forevermore. These words serve as a solemn
promise that the sacrifices for those who rest here will
never be forgotten. This Cemetery and its pristine grounds
are solemn and solid markers telling their story. We spare no
expense to honor those who perished, providing them with a
final resting place fitting of their sacrifice, a place that
reflects the magnitude and courage the debt we owe to their
memory. And so this sacred place ensures that their
sacrifices will be remembered, not just by those that are
gathered here today, but by the generations to come. The
sacrifices of those who rest here are not relics of history.
They are the foundation for the present and the future. NATO
built on the unity and determination shown during these
battles like The Ardennes remains a cornerstone of peace and
security, and then today, NATO's commitment to collective
defense and shared values is a shining city on a hill to
deter aggression and to uphold freedom secured by these brave
men and women. The courage and resolve of these soldiers
inspire us all, and still, they challenge us to live up to
their legacy by protecting the values they fought for,
liberty, unity and dignity for all. I'll close with a quote
from President Roosevelt. The light of their sacrifice shall
not grow dim with the passing years, let us ensure that their
gift of liberty endures for generations. So let us honor
their legacy, not only with our words but our actions. Let us
strive to live lives worthy of their sacrifice by protecting
the freedoms they fought for, fostering unity amongst nations
and standing resolute against tyranny in all of its forms. So
May their bravery continue to inspire us, may their memory
forever guide us toward a better world, Thank you.

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