This story is free to read.

Americans, Belgians Mark Bulge Anniversary

A US WWII-era vehicle drives towards the Mardasson Memorial, on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge or the Ardennes Offensive, in Bastogne, southeastern Belgium, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. The Battle of the Bulge was fought in dense forests and narrow valleys of the Belgian and Luxembourg Ardennes and was one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe) A US WWII-era vehicle drives towards the Mardasson Memorial, on the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge or the Ardennes Offensive, in Bastogne, southeastern Belgium, Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. The Battle of the Bulge was fought in dense forests and narrow valleys of the Belgian and Luxembourg Ardennes and was one of the bloodiest battles of World War II. (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

By Associated Press December 13, 2014 1 min read

BASTOGNE, Belgium (AP) – Braving snowy weather, Americans and Belgians are gathering in the Ardennes region of Belgium to mark the 70 anniversary of one of the biggest U.S. battles of World War II_the Battle of the Bulge.

Jean-Claude Klepper, 62, of Belgium, and his 15-year-old daughter Aurelie dressed up like World War II GIs Saturday to mark the occasion.

“We must never forget what happened in 1944,” the elder Klepper told AP. “Many American soldiers came here to defend Europe. We must honor them for what they did.”

Stephen Sams, 41, a U.S. soldier based in Germany, says that for him the battle represents the unwillingness of American forces to give up in the face of adversity.