| By Bob Weaver
Allies and former enemy Germany together marked the 75th anniversary of one of the most important battles in World War II on December 16.
It is the anniversary of a turning point in the war - The Battle of the Bulge.
While West Virginians deal with a recent photo of a Department of Corrections class, their administrators and teachers, the photo displaying the ensemble giving the Hail Hitler salute.
It is difficult to understand their ignorance in a time that pop culture seems to rule the thinking of many Americans.
One can only imagine what the world would be like if Hitler won the war.
Hitler launched a desperate attack deep through the front lines in Belgium and Luxembourg to be thwarted by U.S. forces.
At dawn on Dec. 16, 1944, Adolf Hitler launched a last-ditch offensive to turn the tide of the war after Allied troops had pushed German forces back across France, Belgium and the Netherlands.
At first Hitlerâs surprise offensive pierced the front line so deeply it came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge.
Then, American troops launched a counteroffensive and by Christmas fortunes started to change.
After the month-long battle, the move into Germany was unstoppable and the tyrant was defeated.
Dozens of regional residents fought in the Battle of the Bulge. including at least one living local man, Bernard Wyatt.
Among many other men like Denver Ray Gandee, Bernard "Tom" Sturm, John Dawson, Jim Burrows, Charles O. Hardman and Donald Kelley.
We honor them. | 
