Texas Aggies and “the most American city outside of North America”

In Bastogne, overlooking the old battle field where the Battle of the Bulge in Ardennes Bastogne took place ©iStock.com/ Violette Nlandu Ngoy

In Southern Belgium lies a city dubbed “the most American city outside of North America,” Bastogne. Its inhabitants witnessed suffering and death, but also tremendous valor, victory, and brotherhood throughout the course of WWII.

During the Battle of the Bulge, the decisive victory won by allied forces in the winter of 1944, the U.S. lost 70,000 young men. In memory of their service and sacrifice, Bryan-College Station, Texas, and Bastogne signed a sister city agreement in February 2014.

The main focus of this sister city agreement is to perpetuate the solidarity between Belgian civilians and U.S. soldiers that emerged during the Battle of the Bulge. One of the projects spurred by this partnership is an exhibit named “From Texas to Bastogne, Texas Aggies Go To War.” This temporary exhibit is the first of its kind; presented by the Bastogne War Museum, it was inaugurated in December 2014 in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

Located near the Bastogne War Museum, the Mardasson Memorial honors the memory of American soldiers wounded or killed during the Battle of the Bulge and displays the names of the then 48 U.S. States. The Latin inscription on the memorial stone translates to “The Belgian people remember their American liberators — 4th July 1946.” ©iStock.com/bbsferrari

Created together by Sister Cities Bastogne and Bryan-College Station, the exhibit tells the story of five “Aggies” (Texas A&M alumni): James Earl, Joe, James, Turney, and William; all of whom fought in the Belgian Ardennes (a region in Belgium with forests, rough terrain, rolling hills and ridges) during WWII. Visitors can learn about their Texan student life, their reaction to the attack on Pearl Harbor, and their involvement in WWII through letters and cherished memorabilia shared by their families.

Five heroes from Texas started an enduring friendship between Bastogne, Belgium, and College-Bryan, TX

This exhibition symbolizes the partnership between Bastogne and Bryan-College Station, but also illustrates a bigger story about U.S.–Belgian friendship, including gratitude, and how, to this day, this relationship continues to blossom with deep economic ties.

“From Texas to Bastogne, Texas Aggies Go To War” will be inaugurated in November 2016 at Texas A&M University by Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium. This event will be one of the high points of Princess Astrid’s forthcoming trade mission to Texas. The exhibit will then be installed permanently at Texas A&M.