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Over 300 people attended the dedication ceremonies,
which opened in the Middletown Fire Station and later continued
across the street at the birthplace. The Sunday afternoon weather
was perfect, and the mood was a combination of solemnity and
enthusiasm. Twenty-six 3rd Armored WWII veterans who served under
Gen. Rose were present, and well as roughly thirty other WWII
vets from various branches. A particular thanks is owed Lt. General
Paul Funk (ret.) and Rose biographer Steven Ossad, both of whom
gave moving, unforgettable speeches.
With this Dedication, there will now be a special place
of remembrance on U.S. soil for Gen. Rose. Battle-hardened and
victorious in France and Belgium, his 3rd Armored "Spearhead"
Division was the first Allied force to enter Germany and the
first to capture a major German city. The Division later completed
the longest one-day advance in enemy territory in the history
of mechanized warfare -- more than 100 miles through the heart
of the Third Reich. Tragically, on March 30, 1945, Gen. Rose
was killed by enemy fire, up front close to his lead troops,
where he customarily exercised command. The war in Europe would
end in five weeks. Gen. Rose is buried in the U.S. World War
II military cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands. The General's
birthplace in Middletown, CT, was only discovered in May, 2002.
This event was organized by the 3rd Armored Public Information
Office veterans group of 1965-68, with primary support from the
City of Middletown and the 3rd Armored Division Association (WWII
vets).
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