Bud Schatz Honored
by Elana Gardner

The Ardennes Offensive (16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945) was a major German offensive launched towards the end of World War II through the forested Ardennes Mountains region of Belgium, France and Luxembourg on the Western Front. This German offensive was officially named the Battle of the Ardennes by the U.S. Army, but it is known to the general public simply as the Battle of the Bulge. The Battle of the Bulge was the bloodiest of the battles that U.S. forces experienced in World War II; the 19,000 American dead were unsurpassed by those of any other engagement. Thankfully the Allied forces were victorious. After separating from the service, a young man went on to dental school and established his practice. In October 1955 he joined Kiwanis and became a charter member of the Kiwanis Club of Northwest Washington, DC. The Capital District and Kiwanians of Division 1 have called him friend for now 53 years and he is the last living member of that illustrious group that came together in 1955. The community and our organization has greatly benefited by his faithfulness. He has been a hard working and diligent member. Most of us could retire on the missed income of his pro-bono work. His club owes a large debt of gratitude for his sale of X-mas trees, popcorn, theater tickets, program advertisements, bull roast tickets and Chinese New Year tickets all of which supported charitable activities. He and his wife Nancy are Life Members of the Capital District and Kiwanis Hixson Fellows. He is our own hero- Clarence "Bud" Schatz. On the anniversary of the club's 53rd year he was honored for continuing to value the human spiritual and for his lifetime achievements. Bud will be a future guest speaker of the NW Kiwanis Club speaking on the battle and the freeing of prisoners that were held in concentration camps. You won't want to miss it and please bring a friend. Announcement and details will be forthcoming. (Pictured is Bud receiving award plaque from PLG Hal Jewel.)