On this Memorial Day: Honoring the Coronado’s Connection to the Legacy of the 822nd Tank Destroyer Battalion and the Battle of the Bulge On display in the Coronado Corner Education Center is a piece of living history—a World War II Army Air Corps uniform belonging to Leon “Wig” Ely, a soldier of the 822nd Tank Destroyer Battalion. This artifact honors a man whose life intersected with some of the most pivotal moments of the 20th century. On Memorial Day, we honor all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for liberty and those like Leon Ely who keep their memory alive. Leon Ely fought in the Battle of the Bulge, also known as the Ardennes Counteroffensive, a major German military campaign launched near the end of World War II, from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945. It was the last major Nazi offensive on the Western Front and one of the largest and bloodiest battles ever fought by the United States during the war. ________________________________________ About the Battle of the Bulge By late 1944, Allied forces had liberated much of France and were advancing toward Germany. In a desperate bid to turn the tide, Adolf Hitler ordered a surprise offensive through the Ardennes Forest in Belgium and Luxembourg. The plan aimed to split the Allied lines, encircle and destroy four Allied armies, and capture the port of Antwerp, thereby crippling the Allied supply chain and breaking morale. ________________________________________ 1. The Surprise Attack (Dec 16–20, 1944) More than 200,000 German troops and nearly 1,000 tanks stormed through snow-covered terrain, catching the Allies off guard. The thinly defended American lines, often held by inexperienced or recovering troops, buckled under pressure, forming the infamous “bulge” in the front line. 2. Fierce Resistance Despite overwhelming odds, U.S. troops in Bastogne, a vital crossroads town, refused to surrender. Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe famously replied “Nuts!” to a German demand for surrender. The 101st Airborne Division and other forces held their ground until General George Patton’s Third Army broke through to relieve them. 3. Counterattack and German Retreat (Late Dec – Jan 1945) By Christmas, the skies cleared and Allied air power returned with force. Bombing raids and resupply missions intensified. American and British troops launched a coordinated counteroffensive. By January 25, 1945, German forces had been pushed back to their original positions. ________________________________________ • American casualties: approximately 89,000 o 19,000 killed o 47,500 wounded o 23,000 missing or captured • German casualties: estimated between 80,000–100,000 The Battle of the Bulge was a turning point. It exhausted German resources and marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany. ________________________________________ A Legacy Preserved at the Coronado Leon Ely’s service continued beyond the battlefield. He was among the first group of American troops to enter Dachau Concentration Camp on April 29, 1945. The horrors he and his comrades encountered bore witness to the Nazi regime’s crimes against humanity. Their presence marked a moment of liberation and a solemn vow: never again. ________________________________________ More than 50 years after the war, Leon ensured that the memory of his battalion and their service would live on. On September 13, 1996, he organized the 822nd Tank Destroyer Battalion National Convention, held right here at the Coronado Theatre. During the gathering, LOLTOS (Land of Lincoln Theatre Organ Society) gave tours to veterans and their families, deepening the connection between the historic theater and those who fought to preserve freedom. Leon and his wife, Virginia, donated his WWII uniform to LOLTOS for the Coronado Archives. Now on display, this uniform is a symbol of sacrifice, resilience, and the enduring human spirit. ________________________________________ On this Memorial Day, we honor Leon “Wig” Ely, his fellow soldiers, and all who gave the ultimate sacrifice. We will never forget their courage in the cold forests of the Ardennes, their defiance at Dachau, and their enduring commitment to liberty. Sources: • U.S. Army Center of Military History: Battle of the Bulge • National WWII Museum: Overview of the Battle of the Bulge • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: Liberation of Nazi Camps • LOLTOS History Collection - Firsthand accounts and materials from the Ely family, Coronado Archives, 1996 Sign Up Here for information on FREE special events and tours at the Coronado https://www.friendsofthecoronado.org/sign-up/ #RockfordIL #FriendsOfTheCoronado #LandofLincolnTheatreOrganSociety (fb)

Our Reach for the Stars performance with the Yamato Drummers of Japan truly lit up the hearts of our students. ✨ We’ve been receiving the sweetest letters, and one young student shared that she loved the BIG drums — and dreams of playing them when she grows up. 💛 Moments like these remind us why we do what we do — inspiring young minds, opening new worlds, and planting seeds for the future. We can't wait to share more of their beautiful words with you. #CoronadoTheatre #RockfordIL (fb)