Today marks the 77th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Bulge. This was a special year, not because I visited (I didn’t), but because it snowed in Belgium. Last weekend 10cm of snow fell upon the Bulge areas, mimicking the snowy conditions seen around this time 77 years ago. The snow wasn’tContinue reading “Battle of the Bulge – 77 Years, Avec Neige!”
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Battle of the Bulge 76th Anniversary – A Reflection
DECEMBER 16 – Today marks the day the Battle of the Bulge officially started 76 years ago. Last year I had the great pleasure of visiting Belgium during the 75th Anniversary, visiting the sites and participating in the many festivites all in Rocco’s honor. Now just one year later, everything is quite different. There willContinue reading “Battle of the Bulge 76th Anniversary – A Reflection”
Battle of the Bulge – 1st Infantry Division’s Role in the Ardennes
On this day, December 16th, 1944 the German army launched a massive counteroffensive in eastern Belgium and northeastern France, creating a bulge in the Allied front lines. The Battle of the Bulge (or the Ardennes Counteroffensive) was the last major German offensive campaign during WWII. Beginning in mid-December 1944 and lasting through late-January 1945 theContinue reading “Battle of the Bulge – 1st Infantry Division’s Role in the Ardennes”
Battle of the Bulge Ended 75 Years Ago Today
Today marks the end of the Battle of the Bulge, exactly 75 years ago. The battle began on December 16, 1944 during one of the coldest winters in history. I had the pleasure of visiting Belgium and Luxembourg for a week in December to mark the beginning of the anniversary and I will elaborate onContinue reading “Battle of the Bulge Ended 75 Years Ago Today”
Remembering Tsgt. Bob Wright
Seventy-five years ago today Rocco’s best friend was killed in action during the final days of the Battle of the Bulge.
Morscheck Crossroads
The following is Rocco Moretto’s oral account of the Morscheck Crossroads, provided by him in 1995. On January 22, 1945 after being in position for 36 days, the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment was assigned the mission to capture and hold the Morscheck crossroads. The crossroads was a vital piece of real estate as itContinue reading “Morscheck Crossroads”
Street Renaming – Staff Sergeant Rocco Moretto Way
On Friday, October 18, 2019 the corner of 31st Avenue and 41st Street in Astoria was officially renamed “Staff Sergeant Rocco Moretto Way”, in a tribute honoring Rocco’s service to our nation as well as to the community of Astoria. Moretto, a longtime Astoria resident, died in August 2018 at 94. He was drafted in 1943 toContinue reading “Street Renaming – Staff Sergeant Rocco Moretto Way”
Staff Sergeant Rocco Moretto Way
Delighted to share some incredible news: 41st Street in Astoria, NY will officially be renamed SSgt Rocco Moretto Way. As many of you know, Rocco was a longtime resident of Astoria (69 years!), so this a great honor for the late World War II and D-Day veteran and his family. The street co-naming bill containing Staff Sergeant RoccoContinue reading “Staff Sergeant Rocco Moretto Way”
First Anniversary of Rocco’s Death
Today marks the first anniversary of Rocco’s death. He passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 26th, 2018 at 10:20 pm. There was so much happening with the wake and funeral last year that I never got a proper chance to post a follow up to his passing. I hope to do that now. Rocco’s lifeContinue reading “First Anniversary of Rocco’s Death”
Normandy: A Trip Years in the Making
Two months ago I had the pleasure of visiting Normandy for the 75th Anniversary of D-Day. It was a trip I’ve been meaning to take for a while now and frequently discussed it with Rocco. I visited France in March of 2016 but I never made it to Normandy, instead I decided to split timeContinue reading “Normandy: A Trip Years in the Making”
Rocco J. Moretto: World War II & D-Day Veteran 