Special Trip

We had a break from school today, so our family went on a very special trip. We hopped in a car (the first time we had been in one in several weeks!) and headed out! We finally saw some snow!

The country was beautiful! We were almost to our destination... Krinkelt, Belgium. Before we came to Belgium we learned that Papa had been in Belgium before... in 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. We knew we had to go visit.

Krinkelt is a very small town, and as we drove in, we found exactly what we were looking for. Across the street in this picture, there is a monument for Papa's Infantry Division. It is hard to tell in this picture, but there are two big stone memorials and three flags.

Here we are a little closer to the monument. This one says that it is dedicated to the "Battle Babies" of Papa's division because they were so young when they were there. Papa was 21. 

And because I know there are those interested in what it says, "This monument stands in honor of members of the 99th Infantry Division and attached units who gallantly served, and those who died for freedom and in the name of liberty during World War II in Europe. It is a memorial commemorating their service to mankind."

This was the other piece of the memorial beside the American Flag.

The back of it read, "May God help you to understand what the fighting here and in the area was like, for there was such a difference between those who suffered and those who observed the suffering from afar."

It was sobering to think of Papa being there so many years ago.

There was a house that was important in their holding the town. We think this is a picture of it (the signs were only in Dutch, German, and French, so we couldn't read any of them!).

And the sign was near this house, which has parts that look very similar to the picture. We couldn't find anyone to help explain it to us, so we'll have to do some more research!

This was the pretty church right across the street from the monument. We got to hear the bells ring at noon! It was pretty, but it was also loud!

It was a pretty amazing day, especially for Mommy and Daddy, as they thought back on the sacrifices made by so many, including Papa, who we all love so much!