The Battle of the Bulge (1944-45)


Yesterday marked the 75th Anniversary of 
the Battle of the Bulge in WW2.


Only one veteran participated, 95-year-old George Arnstein, 
who braved the weather. 


"My outfit was part of the counterattack," he recalled. 
"We kept going. We crossed from Luxembourg into Germany and then went all the way across Germany eastward until we met the Red Army, which was coming westward. It was a meeting, as I like to put it, deep in the heart of Saxony. Then it was over."
Excerpted from https://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/

With each passing year, fewer survivors of WW2 remain.

"Yielding to the inalterable process of aging, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are now in their late 80s and 90s. They are dying quickly—according to US Department of Veterans Affairs statistics, 389,292 of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II are alive in 2019."
in NJ, -  slightly more than 11,000 remain.
THE PASSING OF THE WWII GENERATION

THANKSGIVING DAY - 1919 

BY THE PRESIDENT
 OF THE 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 
- A PROCLAMATION 

     The season of the year has again arrived when the people of the United States are accustomed to unite in giving thanks to Almighty God for the blessings which He has conferred upon our country during the twelve months that have passed. A year ago our people poured out their hearts in praise and thanksgiving that through divine aid the right was victorious and peace had come to the nations which had so courageously struggled in defense of human liberty and justice. Now that the stern task is ended and the fruits of achievement are ours, we look forward with confidence to the dawn on an era where the sacrifices of the nations will find recompense in a world at peace.
       But to attain the consummation of the great work to which the American people devoted their manhood and the vast resources of their country they should, as they give thanks to God, reconsecrate themselves to those principles of right which triumphed through His merciful goodness. Our gratitude can find no more perfect expression than to bulwark with loyalty and patriotism those principles for which the free peoples of the earth fought and died.             During the past year we have had much to make us grateful. In spite of the confusion in our economic life resulting from the war we have prospered. Our harvests have been plentiful, and of our abundance we have been able to render succor to less favored nations. Our democracy remains unshaken in a world torn with political and social unrest. Our traditional ideals are still our guides in the path of progress and civilization.
      These great blessings, vouchsafed to us, for which we devoutly give thanks, should arouse us to a fuller sense of our duty to ourselves and to mankind to see to it that nothing that we may do shall mar the completeness of the victory which we helped to win. No selfish purpose animated us in becoming participants in the world war, and with a like spirit of unselfishness we should strive to aid by our example and by our cooperation in realizing the enduring welfare of all peoples and in bringing into being a world ruled by friendship and good will.
       Wherefore, I, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States of America, hereby designate Thursday, the twenty-seventh day of November next, for observance as a day of thanksgiving and prayer by my fellow-countrymen, inviting them to cease on that day from their ordinary tasks and to unite in their homes and in their several places of worship in ascribing praise and thanksgiving to God the Author of all blessings and the Master of our destinies.
        In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
           Done in the District of Columbia this 5th day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and nineteen, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and forty-fourth.

WOODROW WILSON

 www.pilgrimhall.org/pdf/
TG_Presidential_Thanksgiving_Proclamations_1910_1919.pdf
Thanksgiving day is nearly upon us

Anyone daring enough to try a recipe from 1772?

For Receipts on how to Boil a Turkey, make Stuffing  or Sauce 
to a Boiled Turkey  - see pages 18 - 19

FYI
"William and Mary Morris wrote in their column 
Words, Wit, and Wisdom in 1970,
‘Throughout New England and in rural areas in many other parts of the country, you will still hear receipt more often than recipe.’ "
   
 VETERAN'S  DAY

Veterans Day is intended to thank all those who 
honorably served in the military – in war time or peace time.


The theme for the 2019 Veterans Day Poster is: “Service”

"Veterans contribute to American society in many ways; not just during their time in active duty. Throughout our history, military service members have put on their uniforms to protect the values and liberties that this nation was built on. But that doesn’t stop once the uniform comes off and their time in active duty has ended. Veterans take the lessons they have learned and the experiences they’ve gained and continue their service to our nation by strengthening our communities. They become our nation’s leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs. Veterans are the most active volunteers working to improve communities across our country. Service goes beyond the uniform. This Veteran’s Day, we honor the men and women who have worn their uniform who continue to serve our country."


Veterans Day Facts Infographic
Infographic and  excerpts from MilitaryBenefits.info.

Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11th. 
It evolved from Armistice Day, which was
 proclaimed in 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson. 
Armistice is when warring parties agree to stop fighting; 
Armistice Day 
recognized the end of World War 1 
when hostilities ceased 
on November 11th, 2018 at 11 A.M 
(11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month).


The Port Jervis Union on November 11th, 1919
published 


National Park Service Releases Draft Visitor Use Management Plan for Public Review and Comment


Draft VUM Plan Update posted on www.Facebook.com/DelWaterGapNPS:

 Due to a power outage at the NPS Denver Data Center, which hosts the Planning, Environment and Public Comment (PEPC) website, PEPC will NOT be accessible from 6 pm on Friday 11/1 until 2 pm on Sunday 11/3. We apologize for the inconvenience

Comments can also be mailed to DEWA VUM Plan Team, 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA, 18325. 
Comments will be accepted until December 6, 2019.

BUSHKILL, PA- The National Park Service announced today that the draft Visitor Use Management Plan (VUM Plan) for Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Middle Delaware National Scenic and Recreational River is now available for public review and comment until December 6, 2019. The VUM Plan was developed with input from the public and park stakeholders and is designed to maximize the park’s ability to provide recreational access and improve visitor experiences while protecting the parks’ natural and cultural resources.

During the development of the draft plan, the NPS sought public feedback and input during two rounds of public meetings and public comment periods. “We are now asking our visitors, local residents, stakeholders, elected officials, and other interested parties to take one more look at the draft VUM Plan and the informational materials that we have provided and tell us what you think,” said Superintendent Sula Jacobs. “Public involvement is essential to a successful planning effort. Our team really wants and needs to hear your thoughts and ideas in order to make this a useful plan. Your input helps ensure the park provides enhanced recreational access and improved experiences for our visitors, while also protecting the special places our visitors enjoy.”

How to Participate
The draft VUM Plan is available for a 60-day public review and comment period that closes on December 6, 2019.  All comments must be received by this date.

Review documents and comment online.  

The draft VUM Plan, a project newsletter, and all materials from the open house meetings will be available for review and written comments may be submitted at

 https://parkplanning.nps.gov/document.cfm?parkID=220&projectID=55912&documentID=99017. 


Send us a letter. 
 Comments may be submitted by mail to Superintendent Sula Jacobs, ATTN: VUM Planning Team, 1978 River Road, Bushkill, PA, 18324.
For those without internet access, hard copies of the draft VUM Plan may be obtained by calling (570) 426-2418. Emailed comments or comments made on social media will not be accepted.

Goals of the draft VUM Plan
The National Park Service seeks to identify ways to achieve the following goals and objectives through the development and implementation of the draft VUM Plan: 
  • Minimize impacts to the park’s natural and cultural resources and visitor experiences caused by visitor use;
  • Enhance opportunities for the park’s key visitor experiences;
  • Assess the appropriateness of current and new/evolving visitor opportunities while considering visitor safety and resource protection; 
  • Align public expectations for use with availability of resources or infrastructure;
  • Increase understanding of existing and emerging visitor interests, use characteristics, patterns, and trends; 
  • Manage visitor demand and expectations throughout the park; 
  • Identify and evaluate and various visitor use management strategies; and
  • Project financial requirements and economic strategies to pay for each proposed action.

Proposed Actions
The draft VUM Plan details numerous proposed actions that the park would take as funds are available or to generate additional revenue.  These proposed actions include but are not limited to the following: 
  • Transition from the current practice of charging an amenity fee at 6 discrete areas to charging an entrance fee for all park users; the majority of the funds collected would remain in the park for use on deferred maintenance projects and to pay for the implementation of the strategies identified in the VUM Plan.  Entrance passes would cost $25/car, $20/motorcycle, and $15/person for a 7-day pass; annual passes would be available for $45. 
  • Add up to 20 new river campsites, improve facilities at existing campsites, and implement a reservation and fee system for river campsite use; campsites would cost $16 per night;
  • Explore the possibility of developing a new river access on the New Jersey side of the park;
  • Develop picnic sites that can accommodate large groups; implement a permit/reservation system to regulate use levels; and enhance and improve current picnic facilities;
  • Improve the trail system by linking trail networks, enhancing accessibility, and diversifying experiences;
  • Provide or improve universal access at key locations throughout the park to offer a range of recreational opportunities for a variety of users;
  • Modernize delivery and strategically locate education and interpretation services including a mobile visitor center and increased partnerships.
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