TOUGH TIME: When you think things are a bit tough in your life,
consider the soldier in World War II fighting the Battle of the
Bulge some 64 years ago.
Decorated veteran Elmer DeLucia reminds us of “the gallant and
victorious men who fought in this battle in World War II (from)
Dec. 16, 1944, through Jan. 25, 1945, in Belgium and Luxembourg,
the greatest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army – in bitter cold
weather, and 19,000 Americans were killed.”
“Our Company A, 81st division – Q2 mortars were attached to the
2nd Infantry. We were there for two weeks. Can you imagine others
were there in cold weather for six weeks in foxholes or in snow
banks – and people think it is cold here. My fingers were cold. My
gloves were frozen. I’d take them off to set readings on my
mortar.
“All of the brave men who gave their lives for the freedom we
have today. They never saw another Christmas. God bless them.”
LOCAL ANGLE: Would you believe there’s a local connection to
Stephen Douglas, that historic figure probably best remembered as
one half of the Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858? There is.
Sandy Rhodes of Bradford tells us her sister, Paula Piper, and
family live in a house where Douglas had resided for a time near
Clifton Springs, N.Y.
Paula, who grew up in Coleville and graduated from Otto-Eldred
High School, currently lives on the farm with her husband, Tim. In
fact, they were married on the farm.
The historical building they call home has been commemorated on
a blue Christmas ornament featuring a depiction of the large white
farm house. Along with sharing the stage with Abe Lincoln in those
historic debates, Stephen Douglas was a U.S. Senator from
Illinois.
Two young boys, who were relatives of Douglas, are buried on the
property.
For that reason, Sandy tells us, some believe the house to be
haunted. However, she has stayed there and, to date, has never had
a “sighting.”
TODAY’S QUERY: A reader passing by “the wall” along East Main
Street observed a plaque which marks the location of a time capsule
buried there many years ago, and wondered what might be inside.
While we can’t recall the contents, we’re pretty sure capsule was
placed to mark the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration in Bradford.
