Cold Spring Harbor Hosts Second Annual "Remembrance Bowl"
By Chris O'Neill
Picking-up the challenge from Locust Valley - and the family of General George Patton - the Cold Spring Harbor School District hosted this year's second-annual "Remembrance Bowl," at the Seahawks Stadium at Cold Spring Harbor High School.
It was a commemoration and celebration of the "Game that Never Happened" from 1944.
The United States had invaded northern France, on D-Day - June 6, 1944 - to liberate France and Europe in World War II. By the fall of 1944, Paris had been liberated, and the US Army command scheduled a football game to boost morale and remind the American soldiers of home. The game was scheduled for Christmas Day, 1944.
The 101st Airborne Division paratroopers, who had already seen hard fighting in Normandy and the Netherlands, were stationed in Champagne, near Reims, the place of General Eisenhower’s Allied Headquarters. The divisions held tryouts, formed teams, practiced several hours a day, printed programs for what they named the Champagne Bowl, and prepared for the big game.
Then the Battle of the Bulge broke out, and the soldiers had to drop everything and march to the Ardennes, abandoning what would become known as "The Game That Never Happened."
In 2018, Helen Ayer Patton - the granddaughter of General George S. Patton, Jr. - decided that it
was time The Game That Never Happened finally took place.
Working diligently with military leaders and personnel of the 101st Airborne, Michelle Strauss of Patton Legacy Sports,
and the Mayor of Sainte-Mere-Eglise, Jean Quetier, Helen was able to succeed and the newly named
Remembrance Bowl, took place in Normandy as part of the D-Day Commemorations activities in June 2018.
Now The Game That Never Happened has become an annual tradition with active-duty soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Divisions during their attendance at the Normandy (FR) D-Day Commemorations in June each year. Together they celebrate the rare connection the United States Military has had with France in this region since WWII, with the game played on the field in Sainte-Mere-Eglise.
The American sister-city of Sainte-Mere-Eglise is Locust Valley. Last year the leaders of the Locust Valley School District, including Maragaret Marchand and Lauren Themis offered to host the 2023 Remembrance Bowl in Locust Valley. And teach the students of Locust Valley the history of World War II and the American Liberation of Europe.
Students learned about history, art, literature, sports and the traditions of the US military. And this past June, Marchand and Themis led a delegation of Locust Valley students went to France to join in the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of D-Day. The group was joined there by NYS Assembyman Jake Blumenkranz and US Congressman Thomas Suozzi - who both represent Locust Valley.
"Locust Valley is the designated sister city to Sainte-Mère-Église, which is the first town that was liberated in France," stated Marchand. "And it has come to symbolize so much."
The 2023 Remembrance Bowl was such a success in Locust Valley, that the leaders of the Cold Spring Harbor School District asked to host the game this year.
Superintendent Joseph Monastero; Board of Education President Alex Whelahan; and Trustrees Kate DelliCarpini and Lisa Smith all pulled to make the 2024 Remembrance Bowl in Cold Spring Harbor a huge success.
The Cold Spring Harbor schools had weeks of classes and programs to teach the students about history, patriotism and the sacrifices that so many made 80 years ago.
Helen Patton and Michelle Strauss from the Patton Foundation gave talks about Helen's grandfather, US General George Patton; Friends of the American Veterans screened “The Sixth of June,” and answered questions about the struggles Allied troops encountered on D-Day.
High school art students met and discussed their storytelling projects with Korean artist Jeongmin Kim, who attended the 80th D-Day commemoration in France and created illustrations for Walk Among Heroes; and film students met with filmmaker Doug Stapleton and writer Jeff Stoffer, who created the book and film “The Mother of Normandy: The Story of Simone Renaud.”
Jeff Wells of the veteran organization Walk Among Heroes, and Cathy Soref of Operation Democracy had presentations for students.
On a clear and cool night, with thousands of local residents attending, kids playing everywhere, and hot dogs, burgers and hot chocolate warming the night, the Cold Spring Harbor Seahawks football team faced off against the Bull Dogs from Island Trees, stepping into the shoes for the soldiers to play “The Game That Never Happened.”
Huntington Councilwoman Brooke Lupinacci and US Congressman Tom Suozzi welcomed everyone to the game.
And with a victory of 27-0 for the Seahawks, there was much to celebrate. It was truly a family fun evening for all to enjoy!
“We educate through sports, and honor with remembrance” concluded Michelle Strauss of the Patton Foundation.