Remembrance Bowl

REMEMBRANCE BOWL

THE HISTORY

In the late Fall of 1944, during WWII, the US Army’s 101st Airborne Division, having seen hard fighting in the Netherlands and Germany, was given a respite in Reims, the Champagne region in France. Moving battle-weary troops behind lines to rest was typical during this long war, giving them time to rehabilitate. With Paris secure and the possibility of the end of the war in sight, the soldiers stationed at the Mourmelon le Grande camp collectively organized an American football game to boost their morale.

The teams were decided upon, and tryouts for the game commenced. The teams were:

SCREAMING EAGLES: Representing the 101st Airborne Division paratroopers
SKY TRAIN: Representing the US Army Air Force support units that flew the C-47s used in Operation Overlord, Market Garden, Varsity and Dragoon.

The Champagne Bowl was scheduled for Christmas Day!

However, the Germans had different plans. A surprise attack in the densely forested Ardennes region between Luxembourg and Belgium required the Allied Forces, which included the battle wearied soldiers in Reims, to answer the call to duty immediately. These brave soldiers dropped everything and joined in what would become known as one of the most brutal battles of WWII. Now recognized in history as The Battle of the Bulge … and the game that was left behind as … The Game That Never Happened.

REMEMBRANCE BOWL

In Normandy as a D-Day Tradition of Remembrance

In 2017, Helen Ayer Patton, Granddaughter of WWII General George S. Patton, Jr., became aware of the history of the 1944 Champagne Bowl in Reims. She began communicating with COL Joseph Escandon of the 101st Airborne to plan the game at the 2018 D-Day Commemorations in Normandy, France. Working together with Patton Legacy Sports and the 101st Airborne Museum in Bastogne, The Game That Never Happened was finally played in Normandy on the 2nd of June in 2018. Thus began a new chapter for the former Champagne Bowl, now played as the Remembrance Bowl.

For the first couple of years, the 101st Airborne played the game in Normandy between A-Team and B-Team squads from within their own Division. Due to COVID restrictions, the game was not played in 2020, and in 2021, fewer soldiers from the 101st were designated from command to play. Given all the ceremonies to compete with on the military schedule for D-Day Commemorations, it became difficult to organize. Looking for a way to revitalize Helen’s vision of the game, Michelle Strauss contacted the 82nd Airborne Division and asked if they would consider joining the competition. It was a resounding YES, and then it was GAME ON…!

With the overwhelming support of LTG Christopher Donahue, 38th Commander of XVIII Airborne Corps, the 78th Anniversary of the Landings in Normandy saw a new and exciting Remembrance Bowl with the two airborne divisions competing against each other. LTG Donahue joined his Airborne commanders to also play in the game. This tradition continues today, elevating The Game That Never Happened to become one of the most sought-after events to attend during the D-Day Commemorations in Normandy each year.

In the inaugural game on June 6, 2022, between the two Airborne Divisions, the Commanding Generals joined their soldiers on the field.
IMG_6657

MG Christopher C. LaNeve

82nd Airborne Div.

IMG_3873

LTG Christopher T. Donahue

XVIII Airborne Corps

MG Joseph P. McGee

101st Airborne Div

The Remembrance Project

Ever since 2018, Michelle and Helen discussed how a civics-based curriculum could easily become a complement to the Remembrance Bowl if the game were brought home to academic institutions in the US. During the summer of 2022, The Remembrance Project concept was introduced and greeted with great enthusiasm in the US with the focal point being the Remembrance Bowl game that brings everyone together after a week of civic curriculum to support it. Since then, High School and Club level coaches from across the country have reached out to Patton Legacy Sports to inquire about how they can host their own Remembrance Bowl during their sport season. With such an incredible show of enthusiastic response on the sport side it was becoming apparent that sport, as history has shown, is a great communicator and opens the door to learning.

Support Patton Legacy Sports ™

DONATE