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The sky was clear and the air was brisk as veterans, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) members, reenactors and guests gathered for a wreath laying ceremony held during a weeklong living history event commemorating the 71st anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

Pictured are (l-r): CAP Cadets C/SMsgt Wolfe, C/2Lt English, C/2Lt Heim

This event is held each year to honor WWII veterans, some of whom had fought in the actual Battle of the Bulge, a battle revered as one of the largest in Europe during the war.

Washington Composite Squadron 601 members of CAP have braved the cold, the snow, and the unpredictable weather to play a vital role in assisting during this commemorative event for the past several years. Volunteering for her third year, local teen and CAP Cadet 1Lt Raeann Silassy of Canonsburg was among those chosen to escort a WWII veteran during the ceremony, which took place this past January at Fort Indiantown Gap. When asked about the experience, Cadet Silassy replied, “It was a great privilege to return to the reenactment of the Battle of the Bulge. Having the opportunity to escort MSgt Jules Desgain (Penn Hills) at the ceremony was an experience I will remember for a long time.”

Second-year volunteer Cadet SMsgt Noah Wolfe of Venetia also participated in the ceremony as part of the CAP’s Color Guard. “This year’s lineup was amazing,” he said. “It spanned from infantry divisions to armored divisions with reenactors who were courteous and knowledgeable about their units. Overall, this was a great experience.”

For some members of Squadron 601, this was a new and enlightening experience. 1Lt Bernice Polasky of Canonsburg stated, “The Battle of the Bulge event inspired me! I've always been proud to live in the USA but when I had the privilege to meet a 94-year-old participant of the Battle of the Bulge, I became overwhelmed with admiration. I am proud to be an American in every sense of the word.” For others, like Cadet SrA Joshua Sheppard of Washington, participating in the Battle of the Bulge Living History week was a “fun experience that everyone should attend at least once.”

The Washington Composite Squadron, commanded by Capt. Nancy Parker, meets every Wednesday at the Washington Flyers’ Club from 7-9 p.m. Squadron 601 is just one of 1,500-plus squadrons around the country involved in cadet programs, emergency services, and aerospace education within their communities. Please visit www.pasquadron601.org for more information.

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