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EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS TO ATTEND THORNE SCHOOL WW II BATTLE OF THE BULGE SURVIVOR’S REUNION

When over 60 surviving members of World War II’s Battle of the Bulge reunite on May 26, 2011 at Middletown’s Thorne Middle School, they will be joined by representatives of Belgium and Luxembourg.  Thorne School Principal, Mr. Thomas Olausen, announced today that Mr. Francois Knaff, Consul General of Luxembourg, Mr. Herman Portocarero, Consul General of Belgium and Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Eeecloo, Deputy Military Advisor of the Belgium Permanent Mission to the United Nations, would be attending the event.

The reunion will take place as the World War II Battle of the Bulge Monument, which is presently located at Fort Monmouth, is relocated and rededicated at the Thorne Middle School. 

“It is so very appropriate that these diplomats, representing the countries where the Battle of the Bulge took place, be on hand as we honor these survivors of the battle”, Mr. Olausen noted.  The Thorne Middle School is named for Corporal Horace “Bud” Thorne, Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who was killed in December 1944 during the battle that the monument commemorates.  Surviving members of the Battle of the Bulge, from different parts of the country, will be in attendance.  Principal Olausen further stated: “It is a wonderful honor for us to be able to host these members of the Greatest Generation and their families as we rededicate this symbol which honors the sacrifices made by so many.  It will be a lasting and productive educational tool for our students as well.”

The event will commence at 9 AM in the school auditorium and the Middle School students will read essays especially prepared for the occasion.  The Corporal Thorne Award will be presented to an 8th Grade Student who exhibits the attributes of Pride, Respect, Integrity, Determination, and Excellence, which are the standards of Thorne Middle School’s Character Education Program.  The school’s Chorus and Band will participate in the event. The monument will then be rededicated in an outdoor ceremony.  Following the ceremonies there will be a reception at VFW Post 2179 in Port Monmouth.  Special awards will be given to all of the surviving members of this historic battle who are in attendance.  All World War II Battle of the Bulge survivors and their families are encouraged to register for the event.

The Thorne Middle School is located at 70 Murphy Road in Port Monmouth.  VFW Post 2179 is located at 1 Veterans Lane, also in Port Monmouth.  For more information and to register for the event please contact (732) 233-9443 or (732) 747 0160.

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Posted: May 21st, 2011 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , | 1 Comment »

One Comment on “EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS TO ATTEND THORNE SCHOOL WW II BATTLE OF THE BULGE SURVIVOR’S REUNION”

  1. and, said at 3:20 pm on May 22nd, 2011:

    sincerest congratulations go out to our wonderful “volunteer extrordinaire,” our Brielle Chairwoman, Edith Nowels, who is Bud Thorne’s sister, who never ceases in her efforts to make sure we “never forget” what all our military heroes have done to win and preserve our freedom!!.. God bless her, her brother, the heroes and survivors,and America!