Remarks at Boggess Bunker Unveiling Ceremony December 13, 2020 Distinguished guests, Mayor Lutgen, friends, I’d like to take you back to that cold winter of 1944. Imagine you’re part of lieutenant charles boggess’ (boh-zhesses) platoon. Your leader is determined to reach bastogne. There’s just one last obstacle – a small bunker – that you can barely …
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Ambassador Gidwitz Remarks at Mardasson ceremony Bastogne, December 12, 2020 Secretary Matz, Secretary Michel, Mayor Lutgen, distinguished guests, What an honor and an immense pleasure to be back in Bastogne and to announce a new chapter in our enduring partnership. We’re standing here on a sacred site where 76 years ago, thousands of Americans fought and died for the very freedom we all enjoy today. As Ambassador, …
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Ambassador Remarks for the Dedication of the Nurses’ Memorial in Bastogne Friday, December 11, 2020 Mr. Mayor, Dear friends of Bastogne, Traditionally, december had long marked a time of joy for families gathering in Bastogne. In the final full year of the war, Renée Lemaire and Augusta Chiwy had both made their way home for …
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November 19, 2020 Via Zoom Good Evening, Thank you for the invitation to join you today. It’s been my genuine pleasure to meet with AmCham, its member companies, and its leadership – as often as I’ve been able – since my arrival in Belgium in July 2018. Our Thanksgiving events have always been a highlight …
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October 27, 2020 Good Afternoon, Thank you for the invitation to join you today. It’s been my genuine pleasure to meet with VOKA, its member companies, and its leadership – as often as I’ve been able – since my arrival in Belgium in July 2018. In that time, I’ve encountered many business people who have told me how much more they prefer doing business in the …
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Release Date: September 28, 2020 BRUSSELS, Belgium –Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defense Philippe Goffin and United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Ronald Gidwitz signed a “preclearance” agreement on Monday that will allow passengers boarding flights from Brussels Airport to the United States to clear U.S. customs and immigration prior to embarkation in Brussels, and to …
Read More» Since its inception, the United States has sought to promote equality and the rule of law, both at home and abroad. As the civil rights demonstrations in my hometown of Chicago in the 1960s showed us, America has long struggled to live up to our ideals and to treat all our citizens equally. The tragic …
Read More» May 4, 2020 Press release Michael R. Pompeo, Secretary of State I am pleased to announce the President has designated Ambassador Ronald J. Gidwitz as Acting Representative of the United States to the European Union. In his capacity as Acting Representative, Ambassador Gidwitz will advance a strong U.S.-EU partnership, especially in achieving a speedy recovery …
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Hello. I’m Ron Gidwitz, the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium. I want to take a minute to share some thoughts during these unprecedented times, speaking from my home, to you in your home. First, a word of thanks to all of you who are working hard to keep us safe. From law enforcement, to those keeping …
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February 4, 2020 – The U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium is now recruiting Belgian companies to join a business delegation led by Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz to the 2020 SelectUSA Investment Summit, June 1-3, in Washington, D.C. The SelectUSA Investment Summit promotes the United States as the world’s premier investment destination and connects qualified …
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Ambassador Gidwitz Remarks at Wereth Massacre Memorial Ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019 Seventy-five years ago today, where we now stand, 11 African-American soldiers were murdered during the earliest days of the Battle of the Bulge. Cut off behind enemy lines after a barrage of heavy fire from the Germans, these 11 soldiers struck out, hoping …
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Ambassador Gidwitz Remarks at Malmedy Massacre Memorial Ceremony Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 As grim as war can be, some moments are more searing – and more disheartening – than others. Today we’ve come together – here – to remember such a day. That day unfolded 75 years ago, right where we stand, and in the …
Read More» Ambassador Gidwitz Remarks at the U.S. Embassy reception to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 Mayor Lutgen, Speaker Pelosi and delegation members, Secretary Matz, Senator Boozman and delegation members, dear veterans, Belgian friends, and American colleagues – allow me to welcome you to the U.S. Embassy reception …
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Ambassador Gidwitz Remarks at City of Bastogne Reception Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 Mayor Lutgen, Prime Minister Wilmès, Madame Speaker, Senator Boozman, Congressional delegation members, citizens of Bastogne, dear Belgian friends, and American colleagues – I’m very happy to be with you all tonight as a guest of the Mayor of the City of Bastogne. I …
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Ambassador Gidwitz Remarks at the Battle of the Bulge Veterans Lunch Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 I’m so pleased to be here today to welcome all of you to the inaugural event of our multi-day commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. And also, to celebrate the completion of the first phase …
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Ambassador Gidwitz Remarks at the Grave of Volunteer Nurse Augusta Chiwy Bastogne, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019 Friends and guests, please allow me to express my thanks to you for the honor of speaking at Augusta Chiwy’s grave here today. Those who learn her story come to view Augusta as equal parts hero and inspiration. She …
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December 04 – The first phase of the restoration of the Mardasson Memorial is complete, just in time for the key ceremonies set to take place in Bastogne for the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. The U.S. Embassy announced the launch of the renovation project on October 1, which included extensive cleaning …
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October 1, 2019 – To mark the 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, the sacrifices of American armed forces during World War II, and the generosity of the Belgian people, the U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium announced the launch of a project to restore the Mardasson Memorial in Bastogne, Belgium. U.S. …
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Ambassador Gidwitz’s Remarks 75th Anniversary of the Liberation of Belgium Monceau-Imbrechies Monday, September 2, 2019 Mr. Mayor, members of the city council, veterans, service members, dear friends – It’s truly an honor to be here today to commemorate the liberation of Belgium 75 years ago and to remember all those who fought and died …
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Ambassador Gidwitz’s remarks 75th anniversary of the Liberation of Mons in the Second World War Sunday, September 1, 2019 Chers Montois et Chères Montoises, c’est un grand honneur d’être parmi vous aujourd’hui. I’d like to thank Mayor Martin, the City of Mons, the War Heritage Institute, our friends from SHAPE, and all the museum staff …
Read More» Ambassador Gidwitz Keynote Remarks AmCham Belgium Gala, June 13, 2019 AmCham President Howard Liebman; Chief Executive Marcel Claes; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. Good evening. Thank you, Howard, for the kind introduction, and for the opportunity to be with all of you tonight. Since my arrival in Brussels nearly one year ago, it’s been …
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Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz Memorial Day Flanders Field American Cemetery May 26, 2019 Thank you for your introduction, Mr. Sheridan. I’m honored to be with all of you today for my first Memorial Day as United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium. I’ve been privileged to serve my country as Ambassador for close to a …
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Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz Memorial Day Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery May 25, 2019 Thank you for the introduction, Mr. Sheridan. I’m honored to be with you today for my first Memorial Day as the United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium. I’ve been privileged to serve my country as Ambassador for close to a year now. …
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Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz Memorial Day Ardennes American Cemetery May 25, 2019 Thank you for your kind introduction, Mr. Sheridan. I’m honored to be with all of you today for my first Memorial Day as United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium. I’ve been privileged to serve my country as Ambassador for close to a …
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University of Chicago Alumni in Belgium Economic Outlook Dinner March 27, 2019 H.E. Ronald J. Gidwitz, U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Let me begin by thanking our host for the kind introduction, and for the opportunity to meet all of you tonight. I’ll join my fellow speakers with an …
Read More» “Security and Prosperity in a New Era of Geopolitical Competition.” Remarks by Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz at the Cercle de Lorraine January 24, 2019 Distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; good afternoon. Let me begin by thanking Cercle de Lorraine for the invitation and for the opportunity to speak to you today about the Trans-Atlantic partnership. I’ve …
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Remarks by Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz American European Community Association Wednesday, November 14, 2018 CEO Christophe de Callatay; Chairman Leonard Schrank; Foreign Minister Reynders; Ambassador Sondland; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen; good evening. Let me begin by thanking AECA for the invitation and for your important work in strengthening Trans-Atlantic understanding. While I’m a “new-ish” Ambassador …
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“It is with great pride that I have the honor to join all of you by this roadside in Petite-Chapelle today. We are here to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of the men of the 370th U.S. Infantry Regiment who, 100 years ago this year, were fighting alongside the French 10th Army, in part because …
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Ambassador Gidwitz’s Remarks at the 370th Infantry Regiment Commemoration Event Petite-Chapelle, Couvin, Belgium October 4, 2018 Mayor Douniaux, members of the Cabinet of Couvin, ladies, gentlemen, students, honored guests. Since my arrival as U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, I have attended a number of commemoration ceremonies to honor Americans who made the ultimate …
Read More» Remarks by Ambassador Ronald Gidwitz to the Luncheon hosted by the Federation of Belgian Entreprises Monday, September 24, 2018, FEB Headquarters President Gilliot and CEO Timmermans; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen. Good afternoon. It’s my honor and pleasure to join you today. I’ve been in Brussels for a little over two months now. We’re neighbors …
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Ambassador Ronald J. Gidwitz’s Remarks at the 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the Crash of the “Picklepuss” August 17, 2018 Montzen, Plombières, Belgium Mayor Wimmer, Marcel and Mathilde, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honor to be with you here today. On my way to Plombieres, I visited the cemeteries of Ardennes and Henri-Chapelle to pay …
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