The next stop was one of the biggest highlights for me. We boarded a train and then a bus then had a short hike to our hotel in Bastogne. We explored the town for the evening, and visited a 101st Airborne museum in town. It had a lot of cool artifacts that have been found in and around the town since the 1940s. There was also a bunker simulation experience in the basement that vibrated and blasted sirens and explosions to experience what the residents of Bastogne went through.
It was a very different experience to see a town that has so much respect and gratitude for the American troops that fought here. The U.S. soldiers were completely surrounded by the German army here, but they stayed and kept fighting. There is a tank and sculptures in the main town square, and restaurants named after the famous reply of General McAuliffe..."NUTS!".
The following day, we set out on a pretty lengthy walk to opposite end of town to reach the Madrasson Memorial. We met up with our tour guide, Reg Jans, and a small group and set out on his Band of Brothers tour. Reg has met many veterans of the Battle of the Bulge, along with several of the actors from Band of Brothers. He's also escorted many of the veterans and their families around the town, some were even able to find their own foxhole. All of this means he is a wealth of information and stories, much more than I could possibly jot down here. It was an incredible experience, and I highly recommend his tours.
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