Senator Collins Joins Bipartisan Delegation Representing the U.S. Senate at 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium & Luxembourg

Senator Collins' father, Donald Collins (pictured top right), was wounded twice during the Battle of the Bulge. An infantry sergeant, he earned two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star.

Click HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE for individual photos.

Click HERE for video of Senator Collins and Senator Barrasso laying a wreath during the ceremony in Belgium.

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Barrasso (R-WY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) are representing the U.S. Senate at ceremonies commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium, and Hamm, Luxembourg. Today, Senators Collins and Barrasso, representing the U.S. Senate, laid a wreath to honor the veterans of the Battle of the Bulge during the ceremony in Bastogne, Belgium.

"Eighty years ago, under the harsh conditions of winter, American troops fought back against Nazi Germany in one of the costliest American battles of World War II - the Battle of the Bulge," the Senate Delegation said in a joint statement. "We are honored to represent the United States Senate at the 80th Anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge alongside WWII veterans and world leaders. Over the next few days, we look forward to recognizing the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces who answered the call to serve and to pay our respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice."

Senator Collins' father, Donald Collins, was a World War II combat veteran who earned two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star. He had just turned 19 when he was wounded twice in the Battle of the Bulge. After his military service, Don completed his education at the University of Maine, married Patricia McGuigan, and returned to his hometown of Caribou, where he ran the S.W. Collins building materials company for many years.

Don served as Mayor of Caribou, as a State Representative, and as a State Senator, and with his wife Pat, raised Senator Collins and her five siblings. Don passed away at the age of 92 in 2018.

"My father was a true patriot, who loved his country," said Senator Collins. "Attending this memorial commemorating the historic battle where he was wounded eighty years ago is deeply moving and a reminder of the courage and sacrifices made by our Greatest Generation to preserve freedom and democracy. It is a great honor to have this opportunity to pay tribute to him and the hundreds of thousands of American troops who fought valiantly in the Battle of the Bulge to help secure peace for future generations."

The Senate delegation are attending ceremonies at the Battle of the Bulge Monument in Bastogne on Friday, December 13, and at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Hamm on Saturday, December 14.

The ceremonies are hosted by the American Battle Monuments Commission. More information regarding the official events can be found here.

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