General and Mrs. Blanchard, General and Mrs. Ernst, General and Mrs. Mataxis, President Marshall, distinguished guests and Soldiers of the great 70th Infantry Division: It is indeed an  honor for me to have a small part  in the dedication of this memorial in honor of the soldiers of the 70th Infantry Division. The Trailblazer Division earned its place in history with courage, determination and willingness to sacrifice. I think it is appropriate and entirely fitting that we dedicate this memorial in a place called Sacrifice Field. You know, historians have speculated that in each century in our history there is a particular generation that stands out in its contribution to the nation and its impact on history. In the 18th century  the generation that fought the American Revolution was a special generation. They challenged the ideas of all that had gone before. They fought for our nation; they fought for democracy in a time of change. They planted the first seed of liberty in human experience.

So the next generation of destiny  fought the Civil War. They guaranteed the future of our republic. Through their sacrifice, they transformed us into America. They united a disparate people and they conquered a continent.

Without a doubt, the generation of destiny of this century is that generation represented by all of you today. The challenges you faced and the magnitude of your accomplishments are unrivaled in our history as a nation. You grew up in the midst of the worst  depression in history. Hard times and uncertainties  were the staples of your youth. You had to work hard just to make ends meet and as young men you faced a war to decide the fate of humanity. There was no doubt then as to the justice of your cause. The war you represent  here today was unbelievably violent. In fact, it was winner take all. Nothing in human history has ever matched this war in size, in scope or intensity. From the time of the 70th Division’s activation in June 1943 until you returned to America in October 1945 you and your comrades faced the challenge of life and death. In each and every case, you stepped up, you met the task, you came out of it victorious and you left us a great legacy. Your combat record speaks for itself. 86 consecutive days of combat. 58 towns and cities liberated. You penetrated the Siegfried Line and captured hundreds of prisoners while attacking through the Saarland. Your accomplishments are even more significant when one considers that you were thrust into combat during one of the most dangerous periods of the Second  War. The German attack in the Ardennes in December 1944 had taken our high command off guard. The arrival at the front of Task Force Herren in late December of that year was key in defeating that operation we now know as North Wind. You took on the cream of Von Runsted’s forces at Phillipsbourg and captured the critical city of Saarbrücken. You liberated Forbach and in one of the first  actions of its kind, liberated over a thousand allied prisoners at Stiring Wendell. Bravery and sacrifice was a trademark of the Trailblazers. 13 Distinguished Service Crosses, 228 Silver Stars, 430 Bronze Stars and a Distinguished Unit Citation, not to mention those who were with you then but are not here today because they paid the supreme price. Your deeds of glory are the legends that  my generation has grown up with. The determination, willingness to sacrifice and gallantry that you showed are the traits that  [Major General] Carl Ernst [Commandant of the U.S. Army Infantry School and Center]  instills in our infantry. A soldier today still gets wet,  he still gets cold, he still gets tired. He is still afraid. He still misses his family. Soldiers are still asked to make  sacrifices the average American citizen will never know. Soldiers are special people. You represent those  traits that make  soldiers special.  Yes, it is fitting that we stand here today on Sacrifice Field.  The world owes a debt of gratitude to you for what you did and to your families for what they endured. It is my distinct honor to help dedicate a memorial to the valiant soldiers of the Trailblazer Division.

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• Epinal - Pamphlet - Location
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