WWII U.S. 'GI' Soldier - Orlando, FL
Posted by: Outspoken1
N 28° 32.713 W 081° 22.243
17R E 463735 N 3157657
This soldier represents all of the various units and troops that fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the Ardennes in the freezing winter of 1944-1945.
Waymark Code: WMF3Y5
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 08/19/2012
Views: 9
This monument is close to my heart as my mother and her family survived the Nazi occupation of France during WWII. The plaque reads:
"Dedicated to the gallant men and women who participated in the Battle of the Bulge, World War II, 16 December 1944 thru 25 January 1945 in Belgium and Luxemberg, the greatest battle ever fought by the United States Army. The Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge assembled here on 16 December 1999 to commemorate the 55th Anniversary of the ever famous American victory, and honour all World War II veterans."
"Dedicated on the fifty-fifth anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, December 16, 1999, this site honors those men and women who participated in this decisive engagement and all WWII veterans.
A bronze, six-foot tall statue of a proud and victorious GI, on a granite base, is the focal point of the memorial. A near duplication of a statue in Clervaux, Luxembourg, this casting by Orlando sculptor Chris Scala rests upon a bronze-outlined white star which is set into a thirty-four foot diameter concrete base. The insignias of forty-one infantry and armored divisions involved are displayed on the statue base. Five lights, one in each tip of the star, provide continuous illumination of the site. The American, Belgian, and Luxembourg flags stand in a semi circle behind the statue. Veterans of the Bulge and WWII are specifically recognized through the use of named bricks in the adjacent “Circle of Honor.”
The Central Florida Chapter (#18) of the Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, with generous community support, is responsible for the existence of this important memorial.
The VBOB Central Florida Chapter #18 members conduct a commemorative ceremony each December 16. " (from (
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The piece is found on the walking path around Lake Eola park in central Orlando, FL. Take time to honor our Vets who helped save the world from fascism. For more information on the battle, (
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