This morning I hugged my uncle Jack Anglin. We were reminded that 70 years ago today he was in Germany crossing the Ludendorff bridge at Remagen which had just been captured by his company (the U.S. army's 9th Armored Division). It was the last of 22 road and rail bridges over the Rhine River still standing after German defenders failed to demolish it. This was Germany's last major natural barrier and line of defense, and caused Eisenhower to alter his plans to end the war; which likely shortened the war in Europe. We are so fortunate that Uncle Jack  got over that bridge safely and is with us now. The Allies were able to get six divisions across the bridge before it collapsed on March 17th, 1945, ten days after it was captured. The collapse killed 18 US Engineers.