Most older Luxembourgers who witnessed the Battle of the Bulge as youths still remember the red “Keystone” patch on the jackets and coats of the soldiers of the 28th U.S. Infantry Division or painted on the front of their helmets. They did not initially know that these men, who came to Luxembourg from the Hürtgen Forest (Germany) in late November 1944, belonged to the 28th Infantry Division. Nor did they associate the red insignia with the state of Pennsylvania, the division’s actual home.

To the Luxembourgers, they were the “Spade Men” because of the shape of the keystone symbol. Some may have later heard the nickname “Bloody Bucket Division.” Some fortunate children even received a “Keystone” patch from a GI as a souvenir. The keystone, the symbol of the state of Pennsylvania, is also called “Schlësselsteen” in the Luxembourgish language and actually represents the central element of a stone arch above a doorway.

Since the 28th U.S. Infantry Division (“Keystone” Division) had assumed responsibility for the defense of northern Luxembourg on November 20, 1944, in an extended sector along the Luxembourg-German border, characterized primarily by the Our valley, the initiators of the “Keystone in the Way” memorial decided in 2025 to make the “Keystone” symbolically the protector of the Luxembourg Ardennes.

Therefore, the large bronze stone stands above the Luxembourg Ardennes to guard and protect them—particularly the area around HOSINGEN (now the municipality of Parc Hosingen), whose extent is marked on the base of native slate stone with several important towns and villages.

For general orientation, you can see the Our valley and the German border on the memorial. From there, the enemy’s surprise attack began on December 16, 1944, indicated by the red arrows that cut through the area of the municipality of Parc Hosingen and run westward toward BASTOGNE, Belgium.

The three supporting legs of the “Keystone” represent the three main combat units of the 28th Division in Luxembourg: the 109th Infantry Regiment (South), the 110th Infantry Regiment (Center), and the 112th Infantry Regiment (North). These designations are engraved on the legs, with the municipality of Parc Hosingen located in the central area of the 110th Infantry Regiment, now referred to as the “Bastogne Corridor.”

Also indicated is WILTZ, where the 28th Infantry Division had its headquarters, as well as several other important locations at the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge (December 16–19, 1944) such as DIEKIRCH, ETTELBRÜCK, MERTZIG, BETTENDORF, FOUHREN, BRANDENBURG, VIANDEN, HOSCHEID, CONSTHUM, MARNACH, CLERVAUX, WEISWAMPACH, and OUREN (Belgium).

The bronze “Keystone” of the memorial does not have its usual sharp-edged, clean form. It shows dents, cracks, and even an enemy projectile that has partially penetrated it. This is intentional by the initiators. The symbolism behind it: The “Keystone” (representing all units of the 28th Infantry Division) was attacked, damaged, wounded, and partially penetrated, yet did not waver or collapse. The battered but upright “Keystone” represents the three days of intense fighting throughout the entire sector of the 28th Division. It resisted, struck back fiercely, and thus impeded the enemy’s advance and disrupted their timetable on their way westward toward the Luxembourg-Belgian border and BASTOGNE. Hence the “KEYSTONE IN THE WAY” (the keystone as an obstacle) in the “Bastogne Corridor” within the present-day municipal area of Parc Hosingen. Further detailed explanations can be found in the adjacent table and maps.

Finally, the “KEYSTONE IN THE WAY” memorial of the municipality of Parc Hosingen is a tribute to all the brave young soldiers of the 28th U.S. Infantry Division, the “Keystone Men,” who gave their lives in the Luxembourg Ardennes to defend our towns and villages and bring civilians to safety. Their sacrifices will never be forgotten! Through the time gained during the first four days of the Battle of the Bulge, the 28th U.S. Infantry Division made a major contribution to the rescue and defense of the city of BASTOGNE.

“Roll on 28th!”